Rare Civil War Poster Broadside: Proclamation, Offer of Amne...

Hammer

€1,000

Rare Civil War Poster Broadside: Proclamation, Offer of Amnesty, A very rare poster issued by General Risteard O'Maolcatha (Mulcahy), Commander-in-Chief (Free State Army), dated 8 February 1923, offering an amnesty to ''All persons now in arms against the Government who, on or before Sunday 18 February 1923, surrender with arms to any officer of the National Forces through any intermediary.'' Printed in large type within a black border 53cms x 39cms (21'' x 15 1/2''). Printed on one side only, restored & framed. Very Rare.
* Issued after the agreement by a leading Southern I.R.A. Officer, Liam Deasy, to call for an immediate and unconditional surrender by the remaining Republican forces. Deasy had been looking for a way to end the fighting before his capture by Government forces on 18 January. He was sentenced to death and a firing squad was appointed, but at 4 a.m. a message from Gen. Mulcahy ordered that he should be brought to Dublin instead. After further discussions he agreed to sign a document calling for a surrender. There was no direct response from other Irregular leaders, but according to historian Carlton Younger 'the plea, from a man so admired by his fellows, was an important factor in brining the conflict to an overdue ending.' A very Scarce item. (1)