An extremely rare copy of the 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic was sold for €170,000 at auction.
The important document in Irish history, is one of an amazingly small few known surviving copies, most of which are in public institutions, was sold at the Christmas Rare Books and Collectors’ Sale which took place in the Talbot Hotel in Stillorgan, Dublin on Wednesday.
The Proclamation, the corner-stone of modern Irish history, the Irish Declaration of Independence, was probably the literary composition of Padraig Pearse, with some changes and amendments by James Connolly and Thomas MacDonagh.
The copy, of which it is believed only 50 remain, was printed in Liberty Hall, Dublin, on an old ''Wharfdale Double-Crown,'' printing machine. The work commenced about mid-day on Sunday April 23 and was completed around 1am on Easter Monday. James Connolly organised all arrangements.
The copy was purchased by the vendor some years ago from a leading Dublin book-dealer. The number of intact surviving copies is now believed to be not much in excess of 20, most of them in secure institutional custody.
George Mealy, director of Fonsie Mealy auctioneers said: “There can be no more desirable document for persons and institutions with an interest in modern Irish history. Copies in good condition are few and far between and we are pleased and privileged to offer this excellent example.”
The copy has some tears and repairs; minor loss to the periphery not affecting text and is fading at the edges.
Other copies of the 1916 Irish Proclamation made €190,000 and €420,000 over the past seven years.
Meanwhile, a blackthorn shillelagh which belonged to Irish revolutionary Michael Collins was sold at auction for €4,000.
Lot 577, “The Big Fella’s Shillelagh” which is almost 18 inches in length, one-to-two inches thick and pierced for hanging, formerly belonged to General Collins.
The stick was given by Collins’ niece of Collins with the stick then in the possession of Dr John Nesfield based in the UK who later gifted it to Dominic Collins in Co Wicklow.
The 100th anniversary of the Irish revolutionary’s assassination was marked last August. who was assassinated 100 years ago last Summer. Collins was chairman of the Provisional Government, Minister for Finance and Commander in Chief of the Free State Army before his death in Beal na Blath on 22 August 1922.
Other memorabilia relating to Collins included lot 583 relating to Collins and other political figures of the time which is an interesting and important file of Letters and Drafts concerning the appointment of a Supervisor or Registrar of Friendly Societies for Dáil Éireann, from September/October 1921 which sold for €3,200.
Lot 584 also made €3,200 which consisted of two pages of typescript with manuscript notes in the hand of Irish Revolutionary Michael Collins. The pages contain accounts of (the) London Envoy.
Mr Mealy added: “(These pages) are marked at head in pencil, ‘Copy / For Official Auditor’, listing various accounts, allocations, including Truce Negotiations accounts, Delegation accounts, etc.
“(It is an) important file, from crucial days in the life of the nation.a copy of the Anglo Irish Treaty.”
The lot has an estimate of between €3,000 and €5,000.
Collins’ Seal of Approval which was his pocket seal, with engraved letters MC (in reverse), made €4,800.
An important file of original unpublished letters detailing the setting-up of the Abbey Theatre was sold for €11,000.
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