'Mantiques' to bring out the guys for history sale

THE RECENTLY-coined term “mantiques” could usefully apply to the lots in next Saturday’s auction at Whyte’s.

THE RECENTLY-coined term “mantiques” could usefully apply to the lots in next Saturday’s auction at Whyte’s. The online Urban Dictionary defines mantique as “an antique or collectible that appeals mainly to men” and, funnily enough, few women seem keen on acquiring Victorian regimental helmets or guns from the War of Independence.

Examples of both are on offer at Whyte’s annual autumn sale of history, literature and collectibles which features historic artefacts, rare books, posters, militaria, coins, banknotes and sports memorabilia.

Among the quirkier lots are examples of prisoner art, including a wooden model – made entirely of matchsticks – of a traditional Irish round tower made by Martin McGuinness, Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, while he was in Portlaoise Prison in the 1970s after being convicted by the Special Criminal Court in Dublin for membership of the IRA. The estimate is €1,000-€1,500.

A handkerchief, decorated with an image of a Volunteer holding a tricolour and the inscription “Óglaigh na hÉireann, Long Kesh 1971”, and signed by 66 prisoners, including Gerry Adams and Alex Maskey, is expected to sell for between €300 and €500.

From the other side of the historic divide is a wooden baton owned by Colonel Fred Crawford who, along with 2,500 members of the Unionist Clubs of Ireland, defended the grounds of Belfast City Hall in 1912 during the signing of the Ulster Covenant opposing Home Rule.

A selection of British Army recruiting posters for the first World War, designed to encourage Irishmen to sign up for duty, range in estimate from €400 to €600. A Royal Dublin Fusiliers officer’s hat made of bearskin (€500-€700) is among a range of military uniforms, swords, weapons and documents in the auction.

Among the sports memorabilia is a copy of the programme for the 1914 All Ireland Football Final (Kerry versus Wexford) which was refereed by Harry Boland, a friend of Michael Collins who fought alongside him in 1916 and was also killed during the Civil War. The estimate is €1,000-€1,500.

A pair of 22-carat gold medals minted in 1966 for the 50th anniversary of the 1916 Rising feature the image of Pádraig Pearse (€6,000-€7,000).

Irish history is represented in all its complexity and diversity. Lot 145 consists of poignant “detention orders, birth certificates and other documents relating to children sent to industrial schools in Dublin and Cork between 1906 and 1911”. How to value? The estimate is €200-€300 for what the catalogue describes as “extremely rare and evocative documents of a part of Irish history that was effectively suppressed until recent years”.

Another aspect of our national history – also largely suppressed since the foundation of the State – is the significant role that Irish people played in creating and running the British Empire. Four separate lots of books, photographs and letters – with estimates from €150 to €400 – recall the life and times of Co Laois-born John Joseph Crooks who served with the British Army in west Africa during the Anglo-Ashanti wars of the 19th century and was later rewarded with the post of administrator of Sierra Leone before retiring to Rathgar where he died in 1928.

Collectors of rare maps will find a good selection, including 17th century John Speed maps of Leinster (€300-€400) and Connacht (€300-€500); a Jan Jansson map of Ulster (€250-€350); and an 18th century John Rocque map of the Kingdom of Ireland (€500-€700).

An attractive vintage travel poster advertising trips to the lakes of Killarney via the Great Southern and Western Railway is estimated at €500-€700 while early 20th century enamel signs for labour exchanges in Dublin are a reminder that unemployment is a recurring problem in Ireland (€300-€500).

Among a selection of Irish coins and banknotes is a 1959 example of a Lady Lavery £100 note, described by auctioneer Ian Whyte as “the cattle dealer’s friend and a collectors’ favourite” which is expected to make €250-€300, “a lot less than what it would have bought 50 years ago”.

The sale also features many unique and unclassifiable items. Lot 12 is a papal bull, written on vellum, and signed by Pope Clement XII in 1730 (estimate €1,000-€1,500); while lot 446 consists of Nazi items, including a Hitler Youth knife and a red armband emblazoned with a Swastika (€200-€300).

The items go on view at Whyte’s galleries, 38 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2 from next Wednesday, September 21st and the auction is at noon next Saturday in the nearby Freemasons’ Hall.