Fonsie Mealy Auctioneers Rare Books & Collectors' Sale December 9th & 10th, 2020

164 IMPERFECTIONS NOT STATED info@fonsiemealy.ie fm 903 Inscribed by Author Rare Handmade Letterpress Broadside Murphy (Richard) High Island, broadside approx. 26cms x 30.5cms Paci fi c Lutheran University (The Elliott Press) Spring 1985. Sole Edition. single sheet with illus., in orig. plain paper folder with printed label attached & inscribed ‘ High Island / Richard Murphy (double line) a keepsake for participants of the 1985 ACIS Conference cohosted by the University of Puget Sound and Paci fi c Lutheran University, Tacoma,Washington. Some browning at edges of folder, otherwise a very good copy. Ex Scarce. (1) € 100 - 150 904 “Sorry for My Trouble” Heaney (Seamus) Mid-Term Break, broadside L. (Faber & Faber) 2008, Signed, with illustration by Martin Gale, single sheet. (1) € 200 - 300 905 Co. Tipperary: D’Mellory Burke Among the Immortal, An un fi nished typescript Novel, ‘Book I Part 1’ in 2 Chapters, 43 foolscap pages, in folder. As a typescript, w.a.f. Scarce. (1) * D. Mellory Burke, a short story writer, originally from Ard fi nnan, Co. Tipperary, where the present story is based. The U.C.D. Library contains some works by him. € 120 - 180 906 Co. Donegal: O’Donnell (K. Leeson) Reach Down The Fiddle, A Donegal Story, 4to Killybegs c. 1943, original typescript (unpublished) with numerous m/ss corrections, 277pps., with sample gallic press page. An interesting insight into life in Ireland, particularly the Northwest during the 1940’s. As a typescript, w.a.f. (1) € 350 - 450 907 La Touche (I.D.) Typescript of novel entitled “Rent Cordage”, 384 pp, with note “Typed by Mrs Fry who omited [sic] 370 to 378” (actually 377). The title is taken from a hymn, “The Return Home”, written in 1862 to J.M. Neale: “Safe home, safe home in port / Rent cordage, shattered deck / Torn sails, provisions short / And only not a wreck.” The author, Isobel Richmond Digues La Touche of Stradbrook House, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, was the daughter of a Gloucestershire rector and widow of Major Reginald Ball-Acton of Kilmacurragh, Co. Wicklow, and of Hugh Norman Digges La Touche. She died in 1971. With typed letter from Helen MacGregor, 404 Northborough Road, London SW6, 31 March 1969, to “Dear Mr Acton”, praising the writing, characterisation and dialogue, but feeling that the plot is disjointed, with too many diversions from the real theme of the story, which is the heroine Alicia’s self-sacri fi ce for her brother Henry. Had it been rewritten forty years ago it might have been publishable, but not now - there are too many novels being submitted, it is too dated, and the reviewers want novels by people the public has heard of. As a typescript, w.a.f. (1) € 250 - 320 908 Complete File of RareWest of Ireland Cultural Magazine Periodical: An Connachtach, [The Connachtman] A Bilingual Journal devoted to the National Revival. Vol. I No. 1 - Vol. I No. 11. Together 11 nos. [All Published] Published printed and lithographed at The Athlone Printing Works - Westmeath Independent O ffi ce, large 4to July 1907 - May 1908. Each wrapper with a striking fi gure of a West of Ireland man scattering grain by hand, signed T.O’M., over a quotation of Lady Wilde, ‘ Scatter the Golden Grain of Lofty Thoughts, Fromwhich Spring Hero-Dees.,’ each issued approx. 16pp. and all in very good original condition. A v. rare complete set. (11) € 300 - 400 909 The Borstal Boys Child Photographs: Behan (Brendan) A group of seven black and white “Irish Press” Photographs, depicting the “arrival” or birth of both Brendan and Beatrice Behan’s only child Blanaid in 1963. Not long after her birth Behan collapsed at “The Harbour Lights” bar, and was hospitalized. He died at the age of just 41. As a collection, as photographs., w.a.f. (1) € 200 - 300