RARE BOOK AND COLLECTOR'S SALE July 30th & 31st, 2024

87 Fonsie Mealy’s Est. 1934 645. Fine Gael ‘The United Ireland Party’ Irish Blue Shirts Badge A rare original c. 1933 period ‘Fine Gael Irish Political Party Membership Badge, ’ gilded brass example in the form of a shield bearing ‘St. Patrick’s Cross’ in red on blue enamel ground and “Fine Gael” title above. Very good condition, complete with original pin fittings, enamel perfect, minor wear to gilt finish, 27mm height. Fine Gael was founded in September 1933 through the merger of ‘Cumann na nGaedheal,’ the ‘National Centre Party,’ and the ‘National Guard,’ with the founder ‘Eoin O’Duffy’ who had once led the movement known as the ‘Blueshirts,’ the party leader until 1934. €250 - €350 646. Reminder of Turbulent Times in 19th-century Irish Politics Printed Election Poster , 31cms x 37cms, in which the candidate for County Clare, The O’Gorman Mahon, congratulates the electors of Kilrush for promising him their first vote, and calls on the freeholders of the rest of the county to follow their lead. Charles James Patrick Mahon (1800-1891), who styled himself The O’Gorman Mahon, was one of the most colourful Irish characters of the 19th century. An enthusiastic member of the Catholic Association, he persuaded Daniel O’Connell to stand as one of the two candidates for Clare in the 1828 election and played a large part in his victory. In 1830 it was O’Connell’s turn to persuade him to stand, and O’Gorman Mahon was successful. During the campaign, however, he had quarrelled with O’Connell, and when it was discovered that he had used his wife’s substantial income to fund his campaign, he was unseated for bribery. He was acquitted, and stood again in 1831, but was defeated by the two candidates put up by O’Connell. Thus ended his first, but by no means his last, foray into politics. As a poster, w.a.f. Ex. Rare. (1) €300 - €400 647. [Irish Politics] Fenian Uprising, a group of three original sepia Carte-de-Viste of Colonel John O’Mahony (President of the Irish Republic), depicting him wearing full military attire, also a Carte-de-Viste depicting multiple members of the Irish Brigade including T.F. Meagher, Sprogue and other, together with another Carte-de-Viste of a military Gentleman (i.d. on back Brig. Samuel Car.? C.A.) As photographs, w.a.f. (3) €100 - €150 648. AWar of Independence Medal (1917-22), with Celtic design suspension bar, black and amber ribbon, the obverse with soldier and ‘Eire’ with four provinces, (uninscribed) recipient unknown. (1) €200 - €300 645 649. ‘I am against shooting down unarmed men’ COLLINS, Michael. An important TL, unpublished and apparently unrecorded, 29 July 1922, addressed to GOVERNMENT, responding to a ‘suggested Proclamation warning all concerned that troops have orders to shoot prisoners found sniping, ambushing etc.’. 1 pp, on headed notepaper of Óglaigh na hÉireann, Office of Adjutant General, GHQ, Portobello Barracks, signed in a secretarial hand Micheal Ó Coileáin, Commander-In-Chief. Later inscription in blue ink bottom left, small tear top left where apparently torn from a file, no loss. A most important statement of Collins’ views on a crucial issue, just over three weeks before his death in a roadside ambush. ‘It is for Government to come to a decision .. The Troops will obey whatever orders may be issued .. I may say that I am in favour of drastic action being taken, but I am against shooting down unarmed men in any circumstances where it is known to the Troops that the men are unarmed. This would not, naturally, refer to a man who deliberately shoots a soldier and then throws down his rifle and puts up his hands.’ Collins goes on to say, ‘So far as Dublin is concerned I have already small groups of men in Mufti on the streets. These men have been carefully chosen and their work will be slow. Grave dangers can easily be forseen [sic], and the selection will, therefore, have to be very carefully made.’ The letter does not bear Collins’ signature, but in our view there is no doubt of its authenticity. It was apparently drafted in response to a letter from President Cosgrave in connection with the suggested Proclamation, itself a response to earlier letters from Collins. See Coogan, ‘ Michael Collins ’, p. 394; Hart, ‘Mick: The Real Michael Collins ’, p. 404. Neither of these works quotes the present Collins letter, and it appears to be unrecorded. It is possible that Collins had second thoughts, and decided not to send the letter; but in our view it is more likely that the letter was sent but not delivered, or was later removed from the file. Postal deliveries were frequently raided around this time. The later inscription refers to the death of Barney Daly, ‘found dead soon after this (18 bullet wounds)’, etc., probably an Irregular. This indicates that at some point the letter was in the hands of persons sympathetic to the Irregulars, and it is most likely in our view that this letter was intercepted in the post and never delivered. It is in any case a clear and important statement of Collins’ views on a crucial issue, literally a matter of life and death, a few weeks before his own death. Cian O’Heigeartaigh €2,000 - €3,000 647 646