Grace (Seamus), Volunteer.  An extensive archive concerning ...

Hammer

€6,500

Grace (Seamus), Volunteer.  An extensive archive concerning his service with ‘C’ Company Irish Volunteers, 1916 and subsequently, including his part in the celebrated ‘Battle of Mount Street Bridge’.  In a large A-3 document folder, with his medals in a separate box. 

The folder includes:
-       A colour-printed certificate of his service, designed by Leo Broe, signed by Eamon de Valera and others; 
-       His ‘1916’ armband and epaulettes.
-       A photograph in Volunteer uniform, a few earlier photos, and some photos of the aftermath of the Mount Street engagement;
-       Two service ribbons, dated 1942, to be worn when medals are not used;
-       Press cuttings concerning the Mount Street fight;
-       A five-page manuscript statement (4 sheets) headed ‘I don’t forget’, by a brother of Seamus, concerning events in 1916, Easter Monday morning etc., with a photocopy of same; also a 6p (5 sheets) continuation of same, 1916/22;
-       Other press cuttings and photos;
-       Typescript (carbon copy) 18 pp of statement by Seamus Grace, 1949, concerning the Mount Street engagement and subsequent events;
-       Typescript (top copy) 8 pp of the ‘I don’t forget’ ms. by Seamus Grace’s brother;
-       Six large sheets (12 pp) manuscript of what appears to be a list lof Seamus Grace’s Volunteer engagements, 1916-1923, signed James J. Grace;
-       Oglaigh na hEireann, C. Co., 3u Cath. Ath Cliath, reunion programme 1954, signed by various participants;
-       A large sheet apparently listing members (Volunteers?) and their subscriptions,  and a black rexine notebook with pencilled notes,  1916-20;
-       Typescript (carbon copy, 2 copies) of a statement by A.F. Cooney in support of a disability claim by Seamus Grace, 1938;
-       A certificate under the Military Service Pensions Act, listing Seamus Grace’s qualifying service, with associated envelope;
-       Two letters of condolence on Seamus Grace’s death, 1959;
-       TLS on Dail notepaper from Eamon de Valera,  3 Dec. 1954, to Breda Grace (sister of Seamus), regretting she was not admitted to see him when she called some years ago, with a second letter dated 7 May 1956 about her memoirs;
-       History of C Company,  1913-1922, cyclostyled typescript, compiled by Sean Prendergast, former Company Commander;
-       O’Donovan  Rossa memorial programme 1954 and other programmes;
-       Letters from various persons (mostly secretarial) in response to requests or representations from Ms. Grace (details unclear);
-       A worn copy of the Dolmen Press edition of the Breastplate of St. Patrick, no. 45 of 275 copies, 1954, inscribed by Seamus Grace to his sister Brighid;
-       A Cumann na mBan leaflet ‘To Foreigners Visiting Our Country’, August 1931; and various other leaflets and documents.

The medal box includes:
-       Seumas Grace’s  1916-22 ‘Comhrac’ medal on ribbon;
-       His miniature medal, do.;
-       His 1939-46 medal (F.C.A.) on ribbon in original box;
-       A second 1939-46 medal (Defence Forces) on ribbon in original box;
-       An assortment of other medals, St. John’s Ambulance,  Feis Ceoil, Eucharistic Congress etc. (some of these may relate to his sister Breda or perhaps his brother);
-       Also (finally) a borrowed copy of Paul O’Brien’s book Blood on the Streets: 1916 and the Battle for Mount Street Bridge, 2008.

An important archive, including significant manuscript material, relating to a man who took part in what was probably the most significant 1916 engagement outside the GPO itself, where British reinforcements trying to get into the city were held up for a full a day by a handful of stubborn men, vastly outnumbered but determined not to yield while they could still fight. ‘When Malone and Grace in No. 25 Northumberland Road opened fire, the effect was devastating’ (Townshend, Easter 1916), and there were significant British casualties.
As the years pass, archives of this nature and significance come to hand more and more rarely.
Provenance:  Mr. Sean Kearney (nephew of Seamus Grace) purchased from him and by descent to the present vendor.