Items that went under the hammer at yesterday's auction include the tricolour believed to be one of two flags that flew from the GPO as Pearse read out the Proclamation in 1916, one of the few surviving copies of the 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic, a letter written by Tom Clarke and Michael Collins's typewriter.
1916 Tricolour
An Irish linen Tricolour flag sewn in three parts and dyed green,white and orange, which is believed to be one of two flags that flew from the GPO as Pearse read out the Proclamation. The other was a green flag with the words Irish Republic emblazoned across it in gold.
While the green flag was seized immediately after the surrender, the Tricolour, because of its lack of recognition, was still flying on the Monday after the Rising.
It was in the aftermath of the Rising that the Tricolour captured the public imagination and it became popularised by such songs as The Dying Rebel which mentions its constituent colours green, white and orange. From 1922, the Tricolour became the de facto flag of the State.
Captured by British troops in Dublin in 1916, it was given by a British officer to the Sweetman family, which has a long association with the struggle for both Catholic emancipation and independence. Withdrawn
1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic
One of the few surviving copies of the original Proclamation, printed at Liberty Hall, Dublin, between midday on Sunday, April 23rd, and 1am on Easter Monday, 1916. A single broadsheet page with smudging, some minor tears and creases, this is one of about 20 copies that remain, most others being in secure institutional custody.
James Connolly co-ordinated the arrangements between printer Christopher Brady, compositors Michael Molloy and Liam O'Brien and distributor Helen Moloney.
A print run of 2,500 copies was planned, with the intention of supplying the country as well as the city. It seems unlikely, however, due to the difficulties encountered in the work, dilapidated machinery and scarcity of paper, that many more than 1,000 were printed.
"There can be no more desirable document for persons or institutions with an interest in modern Irish history," say the auctioneers. The Proclamation was probably the literary composition of Pádraig Pearse, with some amendments by James Connolly and Thomas McDonagh. Sold for €200,000.
Tom Clarke's prison letter
A letter written by Tom Clarke on January 17th, 1893 was included in the sale.
Written from his cell in Portland Prison to Paddy Jordan of Strabane, the letter details his joy at receiving a batch of letters from his sister Maria.
"I had just commenced dinner with the appetite a hard - labour convict usually has when they were put in my hand. That dinner had no further interest for me - it had to give place to my letters, and the reading of them gave me far greater enjoyment than I could get from eating the best dinner ever cooked."
Other letters in this batch included one from his sister Maria, dated October 1894, mentioning his father's death and another to Jordan written in December 1897 and signed by his prison name HH Wilson, mentioning his 15 years in prison.
"Yes, 15 years is a dreadful long time sure enough, but the slow going days and hours of it never seemed to drag along as slowly as now. How I am longing for it to end! Longing - longing. Counting every moment and hour of the time as it passes - all the while longing and wishing May were here." The three-letter lot sold for €7,000
Michael Collins's typewriter
A Remington portable typewriter contained in a fitted travelling case. Bought by George McGrath, brother of Joseph McGrath, for Collins when he was Minister for Finance (1918-1920), where it remained as part of the office furniture until purchased by John Maher, a retired auditor general.
Its service number dates were verified by Remington Rand after John Maher brought it along to an exhibition held by the company in the Hibernian Hotel in Dublin in 1958. Withdrawn