The revolver that fired the first shot of The Rising. UPDATE: THIS MADE 10,500 AT HAMMER
On March 21 1916, a day after Capt. Peadar Bracken fired a pinfire revolver during an attack by the RIC following a meeting of Irish Volunteers in Tullamore, Padraig Pearse said: ‘the first blood has been spilled and the first blow struck in defence of the Volunteers right to carry arms’.
Just over one month later on April 24 the Rising began. Though no one realised it at the time that shot heralded the beginning of the end of the British Empire. The gun from which it was fired is at Whyte’s Eclectic Collector online auction which ends from 2 pm on April 6. Lot 144 is estimated at €8,000-€10,000.
Articles of Agreement from 1921 signed by Eamon de Valera and Michael Collins. UPDATE: THIS MADE 68,000 AT HAMMER
A 1921 agreement to postpone the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis in order to avoid a split – signed by Eamon de Valera, Michael Collins, Austin Stack and Arthur Griffith – is another real rarity (€70,000-€90,000). An archive of 12 cans of restored 1916-1923 films of The Rising, The War of Independence and the Civil War is the most expensive lot (€80,000-€100,000). There are about four hours of films.
The market for collectibles is hot and it is predicted to grow. Objects that are collectible come and go but historic and verified rarities like will always be sought after. The timed online sale of 482 lots includes historical artefacts, documents, photographs, books, militaria, medals, weapons, advertising, sport, coins and banknotes. The timeline ranges from 5000 BC (a very large piece of bog oak) to gold coins issued in the year 2000.
There is a letter from Liam Lynch to his godmother in Co. Limerick; the archive of an Irish soldier who fought for Franco in the Spanish Civil War; the archive of a British army officer who served in the Auxiliary Division of the RIC and material from The Northern Ireland Troubles including prisoner art, weapons, rubber bullets and a telephone from Long Kesh.
A 1965 US tour book signed by all four Beatles
A 1965 US Tour Book signed by all four Beatles is estimated at 4,000-€6,000 and the sale includes five letters written by W B Yeats and his father John Yeats (€1,500-€2,000) and a signed first US edition of The Wind Among the Reeds (€1,200-€1,500). A 1775 document relates to Elvis Presley’s Irish ancestor William Presley of Counties Wicklow and Carlow who later emigrated to America (€1,000-€1,500). Collectible posters include an early 20th century Great Southern Railways poster featuring Connemara along with advertising material from Aer Lingus, CIE and Guinness.
An early 20th century Great Southern Railways poster featuring Connemara. UPDATE: THIS MADE 950 AT HAMMER
The collection of Liam Rapple, former president of Bohemians AFC and FAI honorary secretary includes the jersey worn by Stanley Matthews in an England v Ireland match, other jerseys from the 1940’s and ’50’s and an array of football programmes. A ticket to the infamous Bloody Sunday match between Tipperary and Dublin at Croke Park in November 1920 is estimated at €6,000-€8,000.
There is a good selection of banknotes including Ploughman notes and with gold in demand right now there will be much interest in gold coins including Krugerrand, Sovereigns and US dollars. Viewing continues today at Whyte’s on Molesworth St. in Dublin and the catalogue is online.
