First Printing of De Valera’s new Constitution, approved by referendum in 1938
An important copy of de Valera’s new Constitution, approved by referendum in 1938 and signed by all ten members of his 1938 cabinet comes up at Fonsie Mealy’s summer rare books and collectors sale in Castlecomer on July 30 and 31. The special printing on heavy paper finely bound in dark green patinated morocco is estimated at 7,000-9,000. It is signed by Seán T. Ó Ceallaigh, Oscar Traynor, Patrick Lynh, P.J. Rutledge, Sean F. Lemass, Séamus Ó Riain, Tomás Ó Deirg, Gearóid Ó Beoláin, Frank Aiken, Seán MacEntee, Patrick J. Little and Attorney General Patrick Lynch.
Only a handful of copies were prepared with all the signatures, one for each cabinet member, and a few went to favoured members of the diplomatic corps; an unsigned copy went to Áras an Uachtaráin.. No more than two or three signed copies have come to light in recent years.
A 1957 drawing of Eamon de Valera by Frank Sanquest, a Clarice Cliff vase, a camel back Irish design settee, an antique fireplace and a William IV Irish dining table which fully extended can seat 12-14 are among the lots at the online Lynes and Lynes sale in Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork on April 24.
A magnificent c1840 Irish dining table UPDATE: THIS MADE 2,500 AT HAMMER
Estimated at €2,500-€3,500 the c1840 dining table can adjust to different sizes and the end section can be used as a side table. Auction sales in Ireland have become far more competitive because of the introduction of import duties from the UK due to Brexit, a fact not lost on collectors and the trade. This one offers 266 lots including executors contents from properties in west Cork and Cork city. There is a collection of books from a Glanmire residence and an oil on canvas by Eric Patton of The International Brigade, Spain 1936-39. The artist Eric Patton designed a series of Irish stamps to commemorate Irish Impressionist painters in 1980 and a series of paintings on The Wild Geese, Irish brigades in the service of France in the 17th and 18th century. A lithograph of Queenstown by R.L. Stopford is estimated at €200-€300.
Frank Sanquest – Eamon de Valera. UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 130
The late artist Frank Sanquest drew Eamon de Valera from life when he was Ireland’s President. The portrait is estimated at €300-€500. There are framed 18th century panoramic views of both Cork City and Kinsale, each estimated at €200-€300.The sale offers a camel back Irish design settee (€300-500), a pine Victorian breakfront cabinet with carved back (€300-€500), an antique pine fireplace (€400-€600) and a set of Cork 9-bar chairs (€1,000-€1,500). There is an unusual Edwardian travelling wardrobe in the form of a leather suitcase, a stitched 18th century china tureen and a copy of Hugh Lane by Thomas Bodkin, with an inscription from the author to Senator Jennie Dowdall, the first female Lord Mayor of Cork.
With everything from World War I recruitment posters designed for use in Ireland to the returning officers report of the East Clare by-election of 1917 signed by Eamon de Valera the sale of History, Literature and Collectibles by Whyte’s in Dublin on October 17 is brimful of interest. The posters encourage, shame, cajole and threaten Irishmen to join up citing acts of barbarity on the part of the Germans and the promise of a place among the nations for Ireland. Lots 155 to 163 have estimates of 150-300. Stuart Purcell of Whyte’s says that demand for objects relating to the Crown forces during the 1916 revolution is on the increase. There is a previously unrecorded medal awarded to part time soldier FC Stephens of the St. Andrews Volunteer Training Corps. It is inscribed: “For services rendered at Beggar’s Bush barracks” and estimated at 3,000-5,000. A defence of Trinity College cup awarded to Cadet George Mathews offered with three curfew passes is estimated at 2,000-3,000. A posthumous Easter Rising medal awarded to Patrick Farrell has the same estimate.
The East Clare document marking the start of Eamon de Valera’s 42 year career as an elected representative is estimated at 8,000-12,000. The first flag of the Army Comrades Association or Blueshirts recorded at auction is estimated at 1,000-1,500. A cotton military style blue shirt with epaulettes and breast pockets and a Fine Gael badge is estimated at 1,000-1,500. An Irish silver Henry Grattan statue commemorative trowel presented to William Martin Murphy is estimated at 800-1,200.
1917 – Returning Officer’s Report for East Clare Election signed by Eamon de Valera (8,000-12,000) UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD
1949 (25 July). Letter signed by Congressman John Kennedy – later President of the USA 1960-1963. Typescript on Congress of the United States headed paper, signed in ink “John Kennedy”. Addressed to Turner’s, a liquor store in Cambridge Massachusetts, concerning their petition for a reduction in federal excise taxes on alcoholic beverages. (800-1,200)
A First World War recruitment poster at Whyte’s in Dublin next Saturday. UPDATE: THIS MADE 280 AT HAMMER
The flag of the Army Comrades Association or Blueshirts (1,000-1,500). UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD
(See post on antiquesandartireland.com for October 7, 2015).
