An original signed copy of the 1916 Proclamation has fetched a record €360,000 at an auction in Dublin tonight.
The Proclamation, which was signed by Sean McGarry, a bodyguard to Tom Clarke, was purchased by a private Irish collector over the telephone, and is expected to remain in the country.
"The Proclamation is arguably the singularly most important document in the history of the Irish nation. This record-breaking copy is particularly special, as it is signed by Sean McGarry who was with Pearse in the GPO at the time of The Rising, making it almost as closely associated with the event as you could possibly get," said Stuart Cole, director, Adam's Auctioneers.
Buyers spent more than €2 million on 700 lots at the Independence sale this evening. Among the other purchases made are a rare handwritten and signed letter from Michael Collins to his republican colleague Austin Stack, proposing a Belfast prison break, which fetched €70,000, double its pre-sale estimate.
Sean Mac Diarmada's 1916 combatant medal, which was posthumously awarded, made €110,000 and a painting of Queen Maeve by Maud Gonne that she painted for WB Yeats, sold for €30,000.
"The Independence Sale, which was started just three years ago, has brought to light a wealth of material of national importance, that otherwise might have vanished," said Fonsie Mealy, director, Mealy Auctioneers, which co-hosted the event with Adam's Auctioneers.
"Some of the material will go out of the country but the majority has been purchased by private Irish collectors and national institutions.
"We have been privileged to have such great sale highlights and are delighted with the results so far, which clearly indicate there is a continued strong demand for Easter Rising related artifacts in Ireland and further afield," he added.
