800 years of Irish history

Following this week’s State visit of President Michael D Higgins to Britain, Adam’s timely annual history sale, on Tuesday, will feature memorabilia from 800 Years of Irish Political, Literary & Military History, much of it with an Anglo-Irish dimension.

Highlights include "an original monochrome press photograph of the Sinn Féin delegates at 22, Hans Place, Knightsbridge, London" featuring the Irish delegation led by Michael Collins sent to London in 1921 to negotiate the Anglo-Irish Treaty. The photograph is "unusual and rare" according to Kieran O'Boyle of Adam's, "because it depicts Michael Collins looking straight at the camera."

The photograph, estimated at €1,000-€1,500, shows, from left to right: Arthur Griffith, Edmund Duggan, Michael Collins, Robert Barton (at back), Erskine Childers, George Gavin Duffy and John Chartres.

Other highlights include an original copy of the 1916 Proclamation (€100,000-€150,000) and a countermand order signed by Eoin MacNeill intended to cancel the Easter Rising (€30,000-€50,000). And, perfect attire for a future State banquet during the next royal visit to Ireland, a pair of Irish Lord Lieutenant's full dress epaulettes, silver bullion fringed shoulder boards, decorated with silver and gilt shamrocks in the original fitted tin case (€200-€300).

800 Years of Irish Political, Literary & Military History. Viewing begins today, Saturday April 12th at 1pm in Adam's, 26 St Stephen's Green Dublin 2 , where the auction begins on Tuesday, April 15th at 1pm.