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    SUNRISE RUBY AND HISTORIC PINK DIAMOND ACHIEVE NEW HEIGHTS

    Wednesday, May 13th, 2015

    Aided by The Sunrise Ruby and an Historic Pink Diamond Sotheby’s achieved the high total record of $160.9 million for a jewellery auction in Geneva last night. This is the highest ever total for a jewellery auction in the world.  The Sunrise Ruby made $30.3 million, a new world record for a ruby, for a ruby by carat and for a jewel by Cartier. The Historic Pink Diamond – 8.72 carats Fancy Vivid Pink – linked to Princess Mathilde Bonaparte, niece of Napoleon I achieved $15.9 million.  The sale also witnessed records for a pair of Burmese sapphire earrings ($3,425,518), a Kashmire sapphire jewel ($6,161,637 for a sapphire and diamond brooch) and for a two row natural pearl necklace ($7,003,519).

    David Bennett, Worldwide Chairman of Sotheby’s International Jewellery Division said: “The market for exceptional jewels is going from strength to strength. The galleries have been brimming with collectors during our worldwide exhibitions, and this translated into lively bidding throughout the sale tonight with truly global demand for the finest diamonds, gemstones and signed pieces of the very highest order.”

    (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for April 12, 2015)

    The Sunrise Ruby sold for a record $30.3 million.

    The Sunrise Ruby sold for a record $30.3 million.

    The historic Pink Diamond sold for $15.9 million US.

    The historic Pink Diamond sold for $15.9 million US.

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    STRONG COLLECTIONS AT ADAMS HISTORY SALE

    Sunday, May 10th, 2015
    The backbone for the annual James Adam History Sale in Dublin on May 12 is formed by three strong collections. Books and documents from the late historian Dr.Tony Sweeney – who sought to have the best possible copy of every book or pamphlet shown to have a connection to Ireland pre-1700 – will make up lots 1-279. There are 94 lots of rare Irish maps from two private collectors with estimates from 50 to 8,000.  The rarest maps are by Antonio Lefreri (fl1540-1577) and two examples of early maps of Ireland are estimated at 5,000-7,000 and 6,000-8,0000 respectively.
    The MacManus Carbery collection comprises 22 lots from the Donegal writer Seumas MacManus (1868-1960); his first wife Anna Johnston (1866-1902) whose pen name was Ethna Carbery and his brother Padraic (1864-1929), a successful businessman in Argentina.  He was a supporter of Irish causes and the archive includes important original correspondence from Padraig Pearse, Arthur Griffith, Major John MacBride and others associated with the Irish revival.
    The sale is peppered by a long list of Irish personages from Michael Collins and Padraig Pearse to W.B. Yeats and Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa.  The 824 lots will be sold in two sessions, at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

    (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for May 3, 2015).

    Robert Boyle - New experiments physico mechanical touching the spring of the air (600-800).

    Robert Boyle – New experiments physico mechanical touching the spring of the air (600-800).  UPDATE: THIS MADE 950 AT HAMMER

    A gold Davis Cup medal, 1903 won by Harald Segerson Mahony, the last Irishman to win at Wimbledon (1896). (5,000-7,000).

    A gold Davis Cup medal, 1903 won by Harald Segerson Mahony, the last Irishman to win at Wimbledon (1896). (5,000-7,000).  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    A section of the direction United States transatlantic telegraphic cable 1874 (500-800).

    A section of the direction United States transatlantic telegraphic cable 1874 (500-800).  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 1,100 AT HAMMER

    A rare handbill issue of the 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic (3,000-5,000).

    A rare handbill issue of the 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic (3,000-5,000).  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 7,500 AT HAMMER

    Antonio LaFreri - Rome Hibernia Sive Irlanda first published in 1560 (6,000-8,000).

    Antonio LaFreri – Rome Hibernia Sive Irlanda first published in 1560 (6,000-8,000).  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 6,500 AT HAMMER

    A four page manuscript letter dated 1908 from Padraig Pearse to Padraic MacManus in Argentina appealing for funds to establish an Irish language high school in Dublin 912,000-15,000).

    A four page manuscript letter dated 1908 from Padraig Pearse to Padraic MacManus in Argentina appealing for funds to establish an Irish language high school in Dublin (12,000-15,000).  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

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    A LOVE TOKEN AND LADY WILDE’S NATIONALISM

    Sunday, May 10th, 2015
    The Irish National League banner with a portrait of Parnell.

    The Irish National League banner with a portrait of Parnell.

    A love token and the nationalism of Lady Wilde, Oscar’s mother, proved to be important associations at Whyte’s sale of history and literature in Dublin on May 9. The harp gifted to Maud Gonne by W.B. Yeats sold for a hammer price of 37,000.  Yeats would give recitals of his poems accompanied by Maud Gonne on the harp.  The sale grossed 220,000 and 80% of lots on offer sold.

    The reverse with the embroidered inscription.

    The reverse with the embroidered inscription.

    A Parnellite  marching banner with a distinctive literary connection made a hammer price of 8,000.  The hand painted banner is embroidered with a line from a poem by Speranza, the pen name of Lady Wilde.  It reads:  “Never Country Gained Her Freedom When She Sued On Bended Knee”.  The hand painted and gilt embroidered banner is from  the Carrickedmond, Co. Longford branch of the Irish National League.  The league was founded by Parnell in 1882 to replace the Irish National Land League, which had been suppressed.

    Online sales accounted for one third of the lots sold. Bidders from Ireland competed with bidders in the UK, USA, Canada, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Malta, Norway, Poland, Russian Federation, China, Hong Kong, Australia and South Africa.

    (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for April 11, 2015).

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    HISTORIC ALL-IRELAND HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP MEDALS

    Friday, May 8th, 2015

    A collection of three historic All-Ireland Hurling medals won by Kilkenny between 1907 and 1913 and a medal from Clare’s first All-Ireland title in 1914 are among the sporting rarities at Fonsie Mealy’s rare book and collectors sale at the Ormonde Hotel, Kilkenny on May 19.  The John T. Power collection of three nine carat gold medals are each inscribed with the years 1907, 1911 and 1913, Kilkenny’s first three in a row.  The set is estimated at 10,000-15,000.  In 1914 Clare beat Laois in the 15th year of the championship to claim their first All-Ireland Hurling title.  The nine carat gold medal of Celtic Cross design from this championship, inscribed “won by Clare” is estimated at 7,000-10,000.  The catalogue for the sale lists 747 lots and is online.

    The John T. Power All-Ireland medal collection, Kilkenny, 1917, 1911, 1913.

    The John T. Power All-Ireland medal collection, Kilkenny, 1917, 1911, 1913.  UPDATE: THESE SOLD FOR 40,000

    The nine carat gold Clare All-Ireland Hurling Championship title medal from 1914.

    The nine carat gold Clare All-Ireland Hurling Championship title medal from 1914.  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 9,750

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    GORY MEMENTO OF FRENCH REVOLUTION AT WHYTE’S

    Thursday, May 7th, 2015
    Lot 13 is the Tribunal Criminel death sentence.

    Lot 13 is the Tribunal Criminel death sentence. UPDATE: THIS WAS WITHDRAWN

    A gory memento of the French Revolution at Whyte’s sale of history and literature in Dublin on May 9 is a revolutionary Paris documentary death sentence dated May 21, 1793.  The document headed Tribunal Criminel passes the sentence of death on Manon Jeanne, formerly Baronne de Bois de Vauban. The sentence “Mort” in faded red ink and a large wax seal with the initials RF attached to the lower left hand corner with a green ribbon. The framed lot number 13 is estimated at 800-1,200.

    A Confederate Cavalry sabre from the American Civil War.

    A Confederate Cavalry sabre from the American Civil War.  UPDATE: THIS MADE 220

    An American Civil War Confederate cavalry sabre etched PDL for Peter D. Luneschloss is estimated at 150-200.

    A collection of five coloured maps of Russia and Poland dated 1785-1827 produced in France is estimated at 300-400.  (Update – these were unsold). Lot 57 is a rare 1803 pamphlet broadsheet from John Bull to Brother Patrick in Ireland looking for support against the Corsican imposter estimated at 150-200. (Update – this sold for 200 at hammer).

    A 1915 recruitment poster with a cheerful looking soldier with the words: “Come along boys, enlist today” and suggesting:  “The moment the order came to go forward there were smiling faces everywhere” published by the Parliamentary Recruiting Committee in London is estimated at 100-150. (Update – this sold for 180). There are 388 lots in total and the catalogue is online.

    (See posts on antiquesandartireland.com for May 4, May 2 and April 11, 2015).

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    CHURCHILL’S VICTORY WATCH AT SOTHEBY’S

    Thursday, May 7th, 2015

    A unique Victory watch commissioned for Sir Winston Churchill – one of four created for the Allied Leaders after the Second World War – comes up at Sotheby’s on September 22.  The others were presented to Charles de Gaulle, Joseph Stalin, and Henry Truman. Estimated at £60,000–100,000 it features an enamel dial showing St. George slaying the dragon, with a trident as the hour hand.  ‘V’ for Victory is engraved on the back of case with a personalized dedication: “1939 – Prime Minister Winston Spencer Churchill – 1945”.

    Commissioned by a group of prominent Swiss citizens the timepiece was much treasured by Churchill. It was designed by Louis Cottier, who invented the world time mechanism, in collaboration with manufacturer Agassiz and Co. Cottier made the same complication for some of the most celebrated manufacturers like Patek Philippe, Rolex and Vacheron Constantin. This vintage and historic piece will be a highlight at Sotheby’s reintroduction of watch sales in London next September.

    UPDATE: IT SOLD FOR £485,000

    Sir Winston Churchill’s unique and historically important yellow gold World time Victory watch, Agassiz and Louis Cottier, circa 1945. Copyright Sotheby’s.

    Sir Winston Churchill’s unique and historically important yellow gold World time Victory watch, Agassiz and Louis Cottier, circa 1945. Copyright Sotheby’s.  UPDATE: IT SOLD FOR £485,000

    Sir Winston Churchill’s unique and historically important yellow gold World time Victory watch, Agassiz and Louis Cottier, circa 1945. Copyright Sotheby’s

    Sir Winston Churchill’s unique and historically important yellow gold World time Victory watch, Agassiz and Louis Cottier, circa 1945. Copyright Sotheby’s

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    TARRY FLYNN AND AN IRON AGE STONE HEAD AT WHYTE’S

    Monday, May 4th, 2015

    With everything from an Iron Age stone head to a copy of Tarry Flynn signed by Patrick Kavanagh Whyte’s sale of history and literature in Dublin on May 9 lives up to its name.  Tbe catalogue, which is online, lists 399 lots. Lot 385, Tarry Flynn, published by the Devlin Adair Company, New York, 1949 is estimated at 150-200. It is inscribed “with best wishes to whoever reads it”.  The Iron Age stone head, in granite, dates from 500 BC to 500 AD and has an estimate of 3,000-5,000.  A 1788 grant of a bounty of £100 signed by King George III  is estimated at 150-200 and a Shelmalier Cavalry, Co. Wexford cross belt plate has an estimate of 1,500-2,000.  There are military medals, militia badges, regimental badges, postcards, weapons, uniforms, and a collection of 1916 newspapers reporting on the Rising and its aftermath in an auction that is brimful of interest.

    An Irish Iron Age stone head (3,000-5,000)

    An Irish Iron Age stone head (3,000-5,000) UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    An inscription by Patrick Kavanagh on Tarry Flynn.

    An inscription by Patrick Kavanagh on Tarry Flynn.  UPDATE; THIS MADE 1,000 AT HAMMER

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    KATHLEEN CLARKE’S 1916 BRONZE MEDAL AT ADAMS

    Sunday, May 3rd, 2015
    Kathleen Clarke with her 1916 Bronze Medal.

    Kathleen Clarke with her 1916 Bronze Medal. UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    Kathleen Clarke’s 1916 bronze medal is the top lot at The History Sale at James Adam in Dublin on May 12. It is estimated at 25,000-35,000.  The  Limerick born widow of Tom Clarke, first signatory of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic, went on to become a TD, Senator and the first woman Lord Mayor of Dublin.

    Other lots include a 1662 edition of Robert Boyle’s New Experiments Physico-Mechanical with an appendix announcing the discovery of what came to be known as Boyle’s Law (600-800), a rare copy of Spensers The Faerie Queene London 1596 (3,000-5,000) books, treaties, trial reports, pamphlets, literature and a Michael Collins memorial issue of An Saorstat dated August 29, 1922.  The sale, in two sessions, will include a collection of rare early Irish maps and sea charts.

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    RARE NEWSREEL FOOTAGE OF IRELAND’S WAR OF INDEPENDENCE AT WHYTE’S

    Saturday, May 2nd, 2015

    Rare newsreel footage of Ireland’s War of Independence comes up at Whyte’s auction of History and Literature in Dublin on May 9.   Lot 200 is 300 minutes of restored newsreel film from 1916 to 1922 from the Easter Rising to the funeral of Michael Collins, much of it unpublished. A total of 12 cans of safety film and one of nitrate is estimated at 150,000-180,000.  It was commission by Dublin based film distributor Jacob Baum, who sold some of it to newsreel companies. But much remained unpublished.

    Subjects include the aftermath of the Rising, the funeral of Thomas Ashe, the burning of towns and villages by the Black and Tans, the aftermath of Bloody Sunday in Croke Park, the killing of Sean Treacy in Talbot St., Dublin, sectarian murders and burnings in Belfast and Derry, the 1922 elections including Michael Collins in Cork and civil war footage.

    The auction will feature antiquities, artifact, manuscripts, documents, printed ephemera, maps, prints, photographs, postcards, medals, militaria, weapons and antiquarian books.  UPDATE: These were bid up to 90,000 at which point they were withdrawn.

    Stills taken from Ireland's War of Independence newsreels at Whyte's

    Stills taken from Ireland’s War of Independence newsreels at Whyte’s

    Stills taken from Ireland's War of Independence newsreels at Whyte's

    Stills taken from Ireland’s War of Independence newsreels at Whyte’s

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    EXCEPTIONAL CHINESE AND JAPANESE ART AT SOTHEBY’S

    Thursday, April 30th, 2015

    An exceptional range of Chinese and Japanese Works of Art comes up at Sotheby’s in London on May 13.  The Tsuneichi Inoue collection will be offered alongside the biannual auction of Important Chinese Art. The collection formed by the Tokyo collector Tsuneichi Inoue encapsulates the best of collecting taste in Japan in the early to mid-20th century.  Here is a small selection:

    A rare Beishoku Guanyao vase Southern Song Dynasty (£500,000-700,000) Copyright Sotheby's

    A rare Beishoku Guanyao vase Southern Song Dynasty (£500,000-700,000) Copyright Sotheby’s  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR £1,085,000

    A large amber glazed vase Sui Dynasty (£50,000-70,000) Copyright Sotheby's

    A large amber glazed vase Sui Dynasty (£50,000-70,000) Copyright Sotheby’s  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR £269,000

    A rare pair of Zitan armchairs, Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Period (£200,000-300,000) Copyright Sotheby's

    A rare pair of Zitan armchairs, Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Period (£200,000-300,000) Copyright Sotheby’s

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