13 December 2011 - Rare Book Sale

#0216

Lot 578/0216

SOLD Hammer price €170

[Stack (Austin)] Stephenson (R.L.) St. Ives, 12mo L. 1919, cloth – Inscribed on front fly-leaf ‘A. de Staic’ – ‘Cill Maighneam, 19 Samain 1923.’ Austin Stack’s copy, also a colourful Brian O’Higgins Christmas card with a manuscript note from ‘Una Bean A. de Staic’, to ‘Caitlin,’ from Seabank the Stack family home, dated 19 Dec. 1944, with an original envelope to Mrs. Stack; and a framed portrait print of Austin Stack. As a lot, w.a.f. (3)
* Caitlin in the letter was Kay Buckley, formerly known as Caitlin Ni Bhuachalla.

Lot 579/0216

SOLD Hammer price €14000

Collins Admits a “Stupid” Financial Error

Collins (Michael), Aire Airgid, Dail Eireann. A most important collection of twenty-one T.L.s. on headed notepaper of Dail Eireann, Dept. of Finance (one with stamped signature) acknowledging contributions to the Dail Eireann Loan remitted by Mr. John Cooney of 6 William St., Clonmel (Co. Tipperary) Jan. – Sept. 1920. The letters are all small quarto, all one page, except one of 2pp, all laid down in a Victorian Scrap Album, the pages a little scuffed but the letters in very good condition. With a few other related items laid in or tipped in; and with a ledger(worn) containing a detailed listing of the contributors’ names and amounts subscribed, presumably in Mr. Cooney’s hand.
A fascinating collection, showing the superb quality of Collins’ administration. There are 3 letters from May 1920, 3 from June, 6 from July, 6 from August and 2 from September, each acknowledging the total received since last,many giving figures for the overall receipts to the Loan (over £300,000 by September). Occasional minor discrepancies are investigated and resolved; in one instance Collins checks the entire file to track down a missing £1 (he concludes it was promised but not paid). On one occasion (23.7.20) he apologies for a ‘stupid error’ committed by one of his staff.
The Dail Loan, collected under wartime conditions in face of constant interference by the British Authorities was a triumph for Collins. One can imagine how easily it could have led to disastrous recriminations if the book-keeping had been anything less than immaculate. Collins several times mentions the ‘immense difficulties’ and the ‘very heavy pressure’ under which he and his staff are working, but it is clear that little or noting went astray. The British Government declared the Loan illegal, and there were repeated police and army raids on Collins’ Offices.
* While the success of the Loan is well known, the present collection is unique in showing how contributions from a single important source were logged, acknowledged and individually receipted. The detailed records in the accompanying ledger may also be a unique record of individual contributions. (2)

Lot 580/0216

SOLD Hammer price €450

Republican interest: [Cathal Brugha] A paid cheque for £99 dated 4.1.1920, issued by Domhnall Ua Farachair, Bank na Mumhan & Laighean, Dun Garbhain, signed on rear by Brugha, & also counter signed ‘A/C D. O’Connachada & M. O’Coilean,’ possibly in Michael Collins hand writing. also endorsed by the bank manager. The cheque worn at edges, but substantially in tact.
* Probably relates to the Dail Loan. (1)

Lot 582/0216

SOLD Hammer price €2000

“Dignity, Pride, Wisdom and Statesmanship”
Hazel Lavery on Michael Collins

Lavery (Lady Hazel) A fine and eloquent autograph signed letter to General (Piaras) Beaslai, undated (but probably early 1923), 4pp, on her headed paper, with the associated envelope, offering assistance in connection with his biography of Michael Collins, then under preparation. She has been talking to Mr. (Edward) March (of the Colonial Office) and Mr. Shane Leslie, and passes on Marsh’s suggestion that he should engage an agent. She also encloses a note (not present) for General D’Alton, and asks him to ring if there is anything she can do that might help. ‘My greatest wish is that something should be written about Michael that will be worthy of his greatness of mind and soul, and will show the world that besides his gay courage and brilliancy as a romantic figure, he had dignity, pride, wisdom, a wonderful beauty of character and qualities of statemanship that only a few had begun to recognise. I am sure that you will be able to show the world in the future, just what he meant in his life and death to the Irish People.’ With a very good signature, as Hazel Lavery. As a m/ss, w.a.f.
* Lady Lavery, Canadian born wife of the painter Sir John Lavery, became a close friend of Michael Collins during the Treaty negotiations, who she and her husband introduced him to their influential friends. She was distraught after his death, and there had been reports of an affair between them, she appears to have written about him after his death, which makes the present letter to his biographer of great interest.
A powerful association item. (1)

Lot 585/0216

SOLD Hammer price €1800

“The Frongoch Roll Call”

Manuscript: The Rebels of 1916 at Wakefield and Frongoch, A copy book of approx. 40pp. containing the signatures of about 170 Republican prisoners at Wakefield and Frongoch internment camps. The names listed by prison numbers, including Sean Mac Craith, James Kavanagh, Seaghan Ua Mathghamhna, Padraic O’Maille, Thos. Mc Ellistrom, Dick Fitzgerald (Kerry Footballer), Donnchadh Mac Con Uladh, J.M. Stanley (Republican printer), W.J. Brennan – Whitmore (Author), Toirdhealbhach Mac Suibhne (Terence Mac Swiney), Capt. M.F. Lynch, Seamas O’Maoil Eoin, Tomas O’Maoil Eon, M.J. Brennan (Post Master General, Frongoch), Michael Joe Ring, Westport, & others with many names from Cork, Kerry, Clare, Tipperary, Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Wexford, Dublin, Louth, etc. etc.
This listing was compiled by Con Deere, reportedly at the request of his friend Michael Collins, and is said to be one of only three such lists where signatures are listed in “roll call” order; the other two are in the National Library of Ireland. As a m/ss.
* An intriguing relic from what was termed “Colaiste na Riblodi, or Rebels University. (1)

Lot 587/0216

SOLD Hammer price €180

Daniel O’Connell V. Duke of Wellington Ephemera

Broadsides etc: A collection of various Broadsides, printed satirical poems, & mock race-cards etc., nine items includ. An Address from Daniel O’Connell to the Radicals of West Surrey, and The Loyal Address of the Chimney – Sweepers, of the City of Dublin To His Ex–y M-.g-s W-ll-s–ly, etc. etc., laid down on sheets from a scrapbook. As a collection of ephemera, w.a.f. (1)

Lot 589/0216

SOLD Hammer price €280

Markievicz (Casimir Dunin) The Memory of the Dead, A Romanic Drama of ’98 in Three Acts. sm. 8vo D. (The Tower Press) 1910. Sole Edition. hf. title, frontis illus. & 3 other plts. uncut, orig. red & black printed green wrappers. V. good. Scarce. (1)

Lot 590/0216

SOLD Hammer price €250

Sinn Fein Rebellion: Sinn Fein Rebellion Handbook, Easter 1916, 8vo D. 1916. Second Edn., illus. orig. ptd. wrappers, stained and spine dam.; also 1917 Issue, of same work, a good copy with the large fold. colour printed map of Dublin, & other, orig. ptd. wrappers. v. good. A scarce pair. (2)

Lot 591/0216

SOLD Hammer price €220

Illustrated Souvenir Album: Wilson, Harntell & Co. – Old Ireland in Pictures, with Two Dublin ‘Risings’ and Their Consequences 1916 – 1922. Oblong folio D. c. 1923. Fine illus., adverts etc., orig. pictorial wrappers, v. good copy. (1)

Lot 593/0216

SOLD Hammer price €220

Republican: Griffith (Arthur) To Re-Build the Nation, 8vo D. (P. Mahon) n.d. c. 1918., 8pp. orig. ptd. wrappers; Collins (Michael) Arguments for The Treaty, 8vo D. (M. Lester) 1922. First Edn., 32pp. orig. ptd. wrappers, with portrait of Collins on front cover. Both Scarce, & v. good. (2)

Lot 594/0216

SOLD Hammer price €120

Republican interest: Judge (J.) & Williams (H.) Its a Long Long Way to Tipperary, the original printed Song Sheet of the famous World War 1 recruiting song, orig. pict. wrappers. V. good copy. (1)

Lot 596/0216

SOLD Hammer price €320

Behan (Brendan) An original Programme for the first production of his first play The Quare Fellow at the Pike Theatre Club in Dublin (November 1953), inscribed by Behan ‘dein fead leis seo’ (make a whistle with this,) ‘O Brendan Behan.’ Single sheet folded; with a copy of Carolyn Swifts account of the Pike Theatre ‘Stage by Stage’, wrappers.
* A very rare but flimsy programme, a memento of an occasion which established the reputations of both the playwright and the theatre. (2)

Lot 597/0216

SOLD Hammer price €250

Signed by Arthur Guinness

Association Copy: Moore (John) A View of the Causes and Progress of the French Revolution, 2 vols. 8vo L. 1795. First Edn., cont. mottled calf, with single gilt fillet borders, mor. labels (lacking one).
* Signed on both titles by ‘Arthur Guinness’ also signed by ‘B.L. Guinnes Jnr., 1855,’ on both loose front blanks. (2)

Lot 598/0216

SOLD Hammer price €40

Belfast Medical: Transactions of the Belfast Clinical and Pathological Society, Session 1859 – 60. Sm. 8vo Belfast 1860. Sole Edn., [96], 11,pp, orig. cloth. Scarce item. V. good. (1)

Lot 605/0216

SOLD Hammer price €3400

Very Good Complete Run

Periodical: Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society, Vol. I First Series, 1892, – Vol. 99 Second Series, 1994, together 55 bound vols. & 23 loose issues, 78 items in all, Cork 1892 – 1994, profusely illus. thro-out, first 26 vols. in orig. hf. mor. mor. labels,gilt spines, 30 vols. in matching hf. cloth & remainder in orig. wrappers. A very good complete set
to date. As a periodical, w.a.f. (1)

Lot 607/0216

SOLD Hammer price €180

Bibliography, T.C.D. Periodical: Longroom, Bulletin of the Friends of the Library T.C.D. No. 2 – No. 52/53, in 39 issues, 4to D. 1970 – 2007 / 2008, Illus. etc. orig. ptd. wrappers. As a periodical, w.a.f. Scarce. (1)

Lot 611/0216

SOLD Hammer price €1200

Periodicals: Pettigrew & Oulton – Teh Dublin Almanac, and General Register of Ireland,… for 1834 – 1847, together 14 vols. 8vo D. 1834 – 1847, red & bl. title,s a few with orig. maps, pictorial adverts etc., all cont. mor., a few rebacks, unbroken run, an exceptionally good run, lacking only the final vol. (1848) of this publication. Together with 2 vols. of Thoms Directory, for 1848 & 1849, lacking covers, 16 vols. in all. As almanacks, w.a.f. (16)
* An important almanac, divided in two parts, Part I, Dublin Almanac, & Part II, Dublin Directory.

Lot 614/0216

SOLD Hammer price €250

Almanacks: Watson (J.) The Gentleman’s and Citizen’s Almanack, For … 1762. 12mo D. 1762; The Gentleman’s & Citizen’s Almanack … for … 1770; & ditto for 1772, together 3 vols. 12mo D. 1762 – 1772, some faults, uniform recent cloth, as almanacks, w.a.f. (3)

Lot 615/0216

SOLD Hammer price €620

A Fine Early Collection

Almanacks: Watson (Sam.) The Gentleman and Citizen’s Almanack … for 1766, … with English Registry … and Wilson’s Dublin Directory … for 1766, 12mo D. 1766 with fold. map, cont. cats – paw calf; also sim. Treble almanack … for 1774, 12mo D. 1774, cont. calf; & Treble Almanack … for 1782, 12mo D. 1772, fold. map, mottled calf, all recent uniform calf reback, mor. label. All very good. As almanacks, w.a.f. (3)

Lot 616/0216

SOLD Hammer price €460

Almanacks: Watson (Sam.) Treble Almanacks, for 1783, fold. map dam.; for 1784, with fold. map; for 1785, lacks map; & for 1791 with lg. fold. map, all full cont. calf, two rebacked, generally very good copies. As almaancks, w.a.f. Rare. (4)