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A selection of antique and collectible items will come under the hammer at Woodwards sale in Cork on April 16.  The auction features some old Irish glass and silver, Waterford chandeliers, antique furniture, garden items and collectibles.  The catalogue is online. Here is a small selection.

George II mahogany open armchair (1,000-2,000). UPDATE: THIS MADE 1,400

An Irish Regency serving table (2,500-4,500).

An antique glass Cork water jug (250-350).

Irish silver dish ring Edmond Johnson Dublin 1893 (1,200-1,500)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 1,500

Eoin MacNeill’s Easter 1916 manuscript countermanding order (30,000-50,000).  UPDATE: THIS MADE 30,000

The Proclamation of Independence of the Irish Republic
Printed in Dublin, 23rd April 1916 by Christopher Brady, Michael Molloy and Liam O’Brien for the Provisional Government of the Irish Republic (100.000-150,000). UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 90,000

A copy of Eoin MacNeill’s manuscript order countermanding the Easter Rising of 1916 is one of the most valuable historic lots at Adam’s sale of 800 Years of Irish Political, Literary and Military History in Dublin on April 15.  The single sheet of folded notepaper was despatched on the evening of Easter Saturday with the aim of forcing cancellation of plans for the Rising. It caused much confusion.  As a result there was no rising in Cork or Limerick. In Dublin the IRB group led by Pearse, Connolly and Tom Clarke made the decision to delay by 24 hours and struck on Easter Monday when much of the British garrison went to the races at Fairyhouse.  The rest is history.  The order is estimated at 30,000-50,000.

The auction of nearly 500 lots offers memorabilia of Michael Collins, Eamon de Valera, Roger Casement, Robert Emmet and a huge cast of Irish historical figures.  An original copy of the Proclamation is estimated at 100,000-150,000.  There are historic photographs, artefacts and even the 18 carat gold medal won the Harold Segerson Mahony (1867-1905) at Wimbledon in 1896.  The medal of the last Irishman to win Wimbledon is estimated at 15,000-20,000.

UPDATE:  The sale realised just under 310,000.  The Proclamation was the top lot.

The Meiyintang Chenghua sold for a world record price for Chinese porcelain.

The Clark Ding Basin

There was a world record price for a piece of Chinese porcelain today when the Meiyintang Chenghua Chicken Cup sold for US$36.05 million at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong. It was bought by the Shanghai collector Mr. Liu Yiqian.

Nicolas Chow, Deputy Chairman of Sotheby’s Asia and International Head of Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, presents the Meiyintang Chicken Cup

The Clark Ding Basin, a magnificently carved Dingyao basin, Northern Song dynasty, from the collection of legendary antique dealer Sakamoto Gor? sold for US$18.8 million, the second highest price for Song Ceramics at auction. 

(See post on antiquesandartireland.com for March 14, 2014).

Sinn Fein Delegates at Hans Place, London negotiating the terms of Irish freedom. An original monochrome press photograph depicting from left to right: Arthur Griffith, Edmund Duggan, Michael Collins, Robert Barton (at back), Erskine Childers, George Gavin Duffy and John Chartres at Adams history sale. This rare image with Collins looking directly at the camera is estimated at 1,000-1,500.  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 2,600 AT HAMMER.

HAROLD SEGERSON MAHONY (1867-1905) THE LAST IRISHMAN TO WIN WIMBLEDON, 1896 His 18ct gold winner’s medal by Harry Soane, London, awarded by the All England Club to H.S. Mahony 1896   UPDATE: THIS MADE 24,000 AT HAMMER.

A fascinating cast of Irish historical figures peoples the James Adam sale of 800 Years of Irish Political, Literary and Military History in Dublin on April 15.  The auction of nearly  500 lots  offers memorabilia of Michael Collins, Eamon de Valera, Roger Casement, Robert Emmet and many more.  An original copy of the Proclamation is estimated at 100,000-140,000.  There are historic photographs, artefacts and even the 18 carat gold medal won the Harold Segerson Mahony (1867-1905) at Wimbledon in 1896.  The medal of the last Irishman to win Wimbledon is estimated at 15,000-20,000.  The catalogue is online.  Here is a taster.

Family heirlooms from the Marquesses of Londonderry and the Barons Raglan will be sold at Christie’s in London on May 22 and 23.  The 500 lot sale features souvenirs of Wellington, Waterloo, the Crimea and works of art.   There is memorabilia from the Charge of the Light Brigade, a gift from a Tsar and a lock of hair from the Duke of Wellington.  The sale is estimated to bring in around £1.5 million.

The two most prominent members of both families were the Ist Baron Raglan, Lord FitzRoy Somerset, the commander of British troops during the Crimean War and Wellington’s right hand man and the 2nd Marquess of Londonderry, Lord Castlereagh, the early 19th century statesman who played a leading role in the defeat of Napoleon.

full length portrait of Castlereagh, after Sir Thomas Lawrence P.R.A (£5,000-8,000). Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2014.

The field marshal’s baton that Raglan was awarded after his victory at Inkerman in the Crimea (£250,000-350,000). Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2014.

A mahogany armchair by Holland and Sons, used by Wellington in his office at Horse Guards £4,000-6,000) Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2014.

THE Spring rare book sale by Fonsie Mealy Auctioneers takes place at the Club House, Hotel, Kilkenny on April 2.  There are antiquarian and rare books, print and coloured plate books, maps and bindings, Irish literature and signed edition.  The sale will feature 600 lots including 80 boxed lots.  The catalogue is online.  Here is a small selection:  UPDATE:  The sale realized 80,000 on hammer and over 80% of lots were sold.

Rare 1939 Irish Proclamation
Hayes (Stephen), Russell (Sean), & others.  UPDATE: THIS MADE 460

An Extremely Fine binding, possibly by Mullen
Genealogy: Grace (Sheffield) Memoirs of the Family of Grace, lg. thick 4to L. 1823. V. Limited Edition.  UPDATE: THIS MADE 825

Hondius (H.) Irlandia; Udrone; Ultonia, Conatia et Media; Ultonia Oriental; Hiberniae V Tabula.. c.1635.
London. UPDATE: THIS MADE 450

Cork Printing: Robertson (Wm.) The History of America, 2 vols. Cork (Thos. White) 1778  UPDATE: THIS MADE 130

Rare Dublin directory – Shaw (Henry) New Pictorial Directory 1850 UPDATE: THIS MADE 550