The State's attempt to buy a letter written by Padraig Pearse days before his execution in 1916 could face stiff competition from Europe and the United States.
The Pearse letter on display at Adams Auction Rooms in Dublin
The seven-line letter of surrender to the crown forces dated April 30th, 1916, will be auctioned by James Adam and Son in Dublin on Wednesday and could fetch in excess of €80,000.
It has been viewed by several State bodies, but interest has also been shown by collectors in central Europe and the United States, the auctioneers indicated today.
Stuart Cole of James Adam said the letter had been viewed by "all the sorts of relevant bodies that you would expect". But the letter was put on view in Belfast and London earlier this month and attracted interest from private collectors here and abroad.
"It is one of those documents that is very emotive, there would be people who would never come to an auction, who would come in and say I want that piece of history," Mr Cole said.
Current estimates value the letter at €50,000 - €80,000 but the level of interest could push the price into six figures.
As a letter such as this has never been auctioned before, its asking price is difficult to estimate. It is not likely to fetch €390,000 obtained for 1916 Proclamation - which was auctioned last year by Adams.
The letter has been in one family since it was removed from Pearse's cell by Capuchin priest, Fr Columbus.
Pearse wrote the letter from his Arbour Hill Prison cell days before he was executed by firing squad on May 3rd, 1916, along with 14 other rebels.
The letter reads: In order to prevent further slaughter of the civil population and in the hope of saving the lives of our followers, the members of the Provisional Government present at headquarters have decided on an unconditional surrender, and commandants or officers commanding districts will order their commands to lay down arms.
PH Pearse . Dublin 30th April 1916.
Additional reporting PA