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HaitiBritish Post Office1854, March 11. Folded cover from Jacmel to Santiago de Cuba, directly consigned to the British P.O. with very fine "Paid/At/Jacmel" crowned circle in red, backstamped with corresponding double-arc datestamp, rated in manuscript with one shilling maritime fee to St. Thomas (datestamp on reverse), transit markings of Havana on front in cluding "3" reales due and "Yndias" straight line (P.E. 15), both in blue, and Santiago arrival c.d.s. on back. A unique usage of this crowned circle with this Spanish postmark. In addition, the "Yndias" handstamp was very scarcely applied at Santiago. A fascinating and highly appealing showpiece.

MexicoOutgoing Mail1809, Oct. 15. Entire letter from Mexico to Lima (Peru), with "4" rate marking, altered for the addition of ½ real in manuscript paying the single maritime and inland fees, handstamped by "Mexico" straight line on departure, endorsed "Primea. vía". One of only four covers so far recorded from Mexico to Peru in the colonial period. Ex Rosenthal.

ChileOutgoing Mail1779 circa. Folded cover from Santiago de Chile to Vitoria (Spain), struck on dispatch by "Chyle" straight-line (P.E. 1), additionally handstamped by boxed "4Rs." rate marking during its transit in Buenos Aires, this rate being amended to "6R" on arrival in manuscript, according to the change of tariff of 1779. The 4 reales postmark of Buenos Aires, produced in May 1768, was obsolete at that time and did not correspond to the 7 reales (1779 tariff for mail from Chile) with which this letter should have been charged on arrival, as a result of being considered, in Cádiz, the origin of the mail to be Buenos Aires. The new rates introduced on 1.9.1779 contemplated, for the first time, the origin of the correspondence, thus resulting in different fees depending on the American region of origin. An exceptional and unique item demonstrating the change of tariffs, being marked with two different rates. Ex Menéndez.

ColombiaClassic Issues1859, 10c. orange brown, stone A, a scarce shade with detailed impression, clear to predominantly huge margins, cancelled by very fine strike of "4" pre-adhesive period numeral handstamp possessing a certain shape which is characteristic of the type used at Cúcuta, used on cover from Cúcuta (manuscript docket inside) to Maracaibo (Venezuela, Swift correspondence), with "10 c." manuscript rate endorsement on dispatch as usually applied by some Colombian post offices before the application of the adhesive. A postal convention, signed on 24.11.1838 by the three countries which previously formed the Gran Colombia: Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela, established that mail from, and sent to, any of these three countries, was fully prepaid to final destination by only paying the portion of the journey from the locality of dispatch to the border, i.e. the internal tariff; in this instance, 10 centavos covered the double weight from 10 to 15 grams for a distance up to 50 km., this corresponding to the length between Cúcuta and the bordering town of Villa del Rosario in Colombia, the mail being then transferred to the Venezuelan post at San Antonio del Táchira. This theory clarify this special rate which has been a mystery to collectors of Colombian postal history. One of thirteen significant first-issue covers addressed to an external destination, of which six were sent to Venezuela, three bearing the 10c., these belonging to the same correspondence. A desirable item demonstrating the very rare application of the 1838 bordering external rate paying postage to destination. Cert. Bortfeldt (erroneously states the number of items known to Venezuela and does not mention the rate), signed Newbury. Scott 4b. Ex Newbury, Kaplan, Frohlich and Hubbard.

CubaBritish Post OfficesHavana1847, Dec. 1. Entire letter from Havana to Veracruz (Mexico), paying a very high manuscript fee of 4 shillings, with "Paid/at/Havana" first-type crowned circle, and matching large double-arc datestamp on reverse. Very fine and scarce. S.G. CC1. Ex Borromeo d'Adda.

MexicoOutgoing Mail1839, April 1st. Entire letter from Guaymas to Arenys de Mar (Spain), carried by the ship "Norma" as endorsed at lower left, with neat strike of "Yndias" straight-line handstamp (P.E. 5), scarcely applied in blue. Some aging caused by vinegar which was sprayed during the disinfection process, additionally treated with small slits making up an infrequent shape. Transit of Veracruz on reverse. Charged at 6 reales and 8 maravedíes in manuscript (only four transatlantic letters are known with the Catalonian double charge).

PeruOutgoing Mail1766, Jan. 11. Cover to Cádiz (Spain), endorsed "Por Panama" at lower left, bearing a very fine strike of the extraordinary "Perù" straight-line handstamp, being applied at Lima, and charged in manuscript at single rate with "4" (reales). The regular route followed would have been Lima-Panama-Cartagena-Havana-Cádiz, but it is believed that this letter made the journey Lima-Santa Fe-Valencia (Venezuela)-Caracas-Cádiz in a commercial ship of a Caracas company. The letter is docketed on reverse in transit at Valencia (Venezuela) with "Valencia Rto de la Rocca" on January 11, 1866. Between April 1765 and January 1767, the "PERÙ" type showed in this item was into service, thus becoming the first postmark introduced in South America, as well as the first marking known used in transatlantic mail; other examples of transatlantic correspondence from Peru, dated in 1768 and preserved in the "Archivo de Indias", do not show this handstamp, but the marking "Perú" in manuscript. Of extraordinary significance as the earliest transatlantic mail exhibiting a postmark applied in the Americas, with its rarity being further enhanced by representing one of only three items recorded exhibiting this highly significant handstamp, (of which two are included in this collection; see also the following lot). One of the greatest gems of the pre-adhesive worldwide postal history.

ArgentinaOutgoing Mail1776, March 14. Entire letter sent by Manuel de Basavilbaso, Postmaster of Buenos Aires, to Gerónimo Grimaldi, Marquis of Grimaldi, Spanish State Secretary and "Superintendente General de Correos y Postas de España" (the highest authority of the Spanish post). The front indicates in manuscript the letter to be carried by the "La Infanta" frigate and its Captain Solís, this ship belonging to the Corunna-Buenos Aires maritime line, which departed from Montevideo on March 25 and arrived at Corunna on June 19. The text inside mentions that a half barrel of "yerba mate" (maté), addressed to the Marquis of Grimaldi, is transported by the "La Infanta". The letter was sent free of charge, thus following the norm for official mail sent between postal authorities. Ink erosion on front, of no significance. Of great significance and historical fascination, being the only recorded transatlantic mail, in private hands, addressed to a Spanish State Secretary in the XVIIIth century.

MexicoOutgoing Mail1822, Sept. 12. Entire letter from Veracruz to Calella (Spain), carried by the frigate "Veloz Alazana" probably directly sailing from Veracruz to Barcelona, with "Nueba España" straight-line handstamp in black, rated "5" in manuscript, amended to "7" reales as per single weight. Interesting contents stating details about the recently achieved independence of Mexico. One of just two covers recorded exhibiting this "Nueba España" postmark, which presents the orthographic error "B" instead of "V" in "Nueba", making it unique with this spelling (unlisted by Tizón-Guinovart).

CubaOutgoing Mail1816, Sept. 19. Entire letter from Havana to Loudon (France), prepaying the double weight for the Spanish portion of the journey with 8 reales as denoted in manuscript on reverse, postmarked on departure with "Habana/Franco" oval (P.E. 16) in conjunction with "Islas De/Barlovento" in two lines (P.E. 5), both in black, entering France at Bayonnne with "Espagne/Par Bayonne" handstamp, charged with handwritten "11" décimes. Slits of disinfection probably applied in Spain. A very scarce early entire from Cuba to France.

PanamaTransit Mail1810 circa. Large cover front from Lima to Madrid, with "Perù" straight-line handstamp (Sitjà type II) on dispatch, endorsed "Por la Preciosa" corresponding to the ship which carried this mail, and "Panama", denoting an extraordinary route with the purpose of avoiding entering part of the Nueva Granada territory during the War of Independence of Colombia. "4 Ø 4" manuscript weight paid by the handstamped "115R" rate, which represents one of the highest potal fees recorded on surviving colonial mail from Peru. A very rare mail following, as a result of war events, an extraordinary route via Panama, then via Portobello and Havana to Cádiz.

EcuadorIncoming Mail1776 circa. Official cover from Madrid to Quito, endorsed "Por el Rey", with oval cachet applied for this royal postal service, charged at "5" reales in manuscript. Portions of paper lacking on reverse. Royal mail to Ecuador is exceedingly scarce.

ChileOutgoing Mail1851, Oct. 28. Entire letter from Valparaiso via Cape Horn to Cádiz (Spain), initially forwarded by a forwarding agent of Valparaiso, with octagonal "Jorge Loring & Ca." handstamp on reverse and matching endorsement at lower left on front (crossed out), rated "44rs" in manuscript as per 2 1/3 oz weight, struck on arrival with "Perú" straight line in red. One of just three covers recorded with this "Perú" marking after the independence of the American territories which made up the Spanish postal demarcation Peru. Ex Kouri.

ChileIncoming Mail1797 circa. Handmade envelope (opened for display) from Spain to a Brigadier, Politician and Governor in Chiloé (Chile), bearing manuscript "Por Buenos Ayres, Chile, y Valdivia" routing mark placed, as usual, at lower left, carried via Corunna with red "España" straight-line handstamp, following the American inland route Buenos Aires-Santiago de Chile-Valparaíso-Valdivia, with two strikes of Italic "Chile" postmark in red handstamped at Santiago. The manuscript "55" reales maritime rate was equivalent to the 5½ ounces weight, additionally with 13½ reales matching the inland fee for a total of 68½ ("68¾" also handwritten on front, according to the 1778 tariff). One of just two covers recorded jointly exhibiting the "Chile" and any "España" postmarks (both are included in this sale, see also lot 14).

BoliviaOutgoing Mail1800 circa. Folded cover from Cotagaita (then belonging to the Virreinato del Perú), with very fine strikes including "Cotagaita" & "Peru" straight-line handstamps in red, initially rated in manuscript at "4½" reales for the portion of the overland journey to Buenos Aires, with the maritime carriage to Corunna corresponding to the "8 RS". Endorsement at lower left denoting the contents of the letter with "Asuntos interesantes de unos Pobres" (interesting matters of poor persons). The only cover recorded bearing the "Peru" postmark of Cotagaita, also being an extremely rare usage of this marking in the territory of present-day Bolivia; the rare "Cotagaita" handstamp further enhances the rarity of this item. Ex Ortiz Patiño.

Uruguay1866, 10c. green, London Printing, good margins, paying the Uruguay portion of postage at double rate on envelope from Independencia (Fray Bentos) to Liverpool (Great Britain), tied by very fine oval "Administración de Correos/Yndependencia" handstamp in blue green, this being very scarce and used at the private post office located in the "Liebig" saltery company of Fray Bentos (see article by Amílcar J. Fita in "Uruguay Filatélico" of December 1937). Liverpool cds of 30 August 1869 and manuscript "1/-" maritime rate collected on arrival. One of only two covers known showing this cancellation. A very fine and desirable showpiece. Cert. Hernández Rocha, signed Díaz Paulos. Ciardi 31. Ex Hoffmann.

Germany1847, Nov. 24. Cover via Havre (France) to Sagua (Cuba), with two dispatch c.d.s.'s, manuscript "1 ¾" silbergroschen at upper left, framed "P.D.", French entry c.d.s. in red, and elusive "Empresa/N. Europa" c.d.s. in blue of the "Empresa de Correos Marítimos", charged with single rate "2" reales marking on delivery. Some imperfections, nevertheless a very rare destination. Ex Kouri.

CubaOutgoing Mail1840, July 6. Cover with its contents from Havana to Berbice (British Guiana), via Jamaica and Barbados, reading "Recvd. from Cuba 22nd July forwarded by your obed. Serv. Ellin Shortt, Jamaica" in manuscript on reverse, alongside with Kingston double-arc datestamp, annotated, on front, "Care of Messrs. M. Cavan & Co., Barbados" notation at Barbados. Rate notations "1/-" and "3". An extremely rare mail from Cuba to a rare destination, with involvement in its carriage of three British West Indies territories.

CubaOutgoing Mail1804, Feb 4. Entire letter from Havana via Cádiz to Mataró (Spain), with involvement of the Spanish Royal Mail Service, bearing elusive red "Islas De/Barlovento." two-line handstamp (P.E. 32) and manuscript 4 reales rate. Interesting contents stating the capture of a Spanish mail ship carrying correspondence from Cuba, which after two or three days of combat against a British corvette, was taken to Jamaica by the British, killing its captain and destroying the correspondence; the sender expresses the suspicion that, meanwhile the war will last, the British will take actions of this nature against Spaniards and French. As a matter of fact, the Anglo-Spanish War (1796-1802, 1804-1808) was retaken in 1804 as a result of the reopening of the war with Napoleonic France, when the British captured a Spanish squadron of frigates carrying gold bullion from America to Cádiz. A fascinating and most rare entire of great interest. Ex Kouri.

Venezuela1864, Sept. 8. Entire letter from Puerto Cabello to General Paris at Bogotá, being privately forwarded to St. Thomas, where it was consigned to the British P.O. with red "St-Thomas/Paid" c.d.s. and charged at "4" pence inter-West Indies rate in manuscript, placed on board the RMS "Tyne" steamship sailing to Cartagena, then taxed for the single weight with "10" centavos marking in red. A very scarce and interesting usage.

MexicoOutgoing Mail1781, June 22. Ship's register envelope belonging to the "Señor San Joséf y las Animas" brigantine, following the martime journey from Campeche to Havana, struck with "Campeche" straight-line and fancy "Franca./Canobas" handstamps, both on departure, with postal clerk's signature as regulated. The manuscript "13" notation on reverse indicates the fee paid by the sender for the 6½ ounces weight, with wax and paper seals illustrating the Spanish coat-of-arms and, therefore, as sealed correspondence, paying postal fees. Usual few edge imperfections, in no way detracting. The only ship's register cover known having origin in Mexico during the colonial period, further enhanced by representing the earliest usage recorded of these postmarks.

Venezuela1859, 1r. blue, fine printing, two examples showing complete to large margins, used on 22 July 1861 entire letter from La Guaira to Genoa (Italy), paying the single weight not exceeding ½ ounce as stipulated for carriage between Venezuela and St. Thomas, following involvement of British packet from St. Thomas to England, being backstamped in London, each stamp cancelled by "0" numeral handstamp, with alongside dispatch c.d.s., framed "GB/1F 60c" Anglo-French accountancy marking, French entry at Calais, and handstruck on arrival with "20" due marking in manuscript. Arrival on reverse. A pair or two single stamps represent the highest franking of the 1 real fine printing, with fewer than five examples so far recorded, this being one of just two transatlantic covers known with two examples of this value. Cert. Moorhouse.

DICK REV. THOMAS (of Dundee & Broughty Ferry, 1774-1857). A group of 20 letters from & to him. Thomas Dick was brought up in the Scottish Seccession Church & was a distinguished teacher & writer on scientific & theological subjects, known particularly for his works on astronomy & practical philosophy. He was a member of the Royal Astronomical Society & had an honorary degree from Union College, New York. This lot comprises 2 manuscript letters by Thomas Dick & 18 to him, dated 1804-1855 with 2 undated. Includes a lengthy personal letter to Miss Glegg who would become his third wife. Others relate to church, family & day to day matters, health, publication of his books & much else, some are quite long & detailed & demonstrate the breadth of this polymath`s life & work. Some fuller details are available on request.

WORDSWORTH WILLIAM. The Manuscript of Poems ... 1807, a facsimile. Illus. Folio. Orig. green cloth in slip case. 1984.

Northumberland. 18th cent. manuscript map centred on Whitehill & Kirkwhelpington. In a modern frame.

WEST COLONEL DUDLEY ERSKINE M.C. Manuscript Notebook containing geneological information on the Family of West; also a bundle of related notes, some letters, etc. & details of a proposed scheme for a chain of 8 motels (incl. Heathrow), 1958.

With Autographed Note from Author loosely InsertedO'Brian (Flann) [pseud. Brian O'Nolan] Cruiskeen Lawn, by Myles na gCopeleen. [Text in Irish & English with illustrations 8vo D. [Cahill & Co.] 1943. First Edn. 80pp, orig. colour ptd. wrappers. A very good copy of this scarce item, which was widely read and is now extremely hard to get in such nice condition. One of the author's wittiest work. (1)* With an original manuscript, signed note from the author loosely inserted. (1)

The Author's First BookROS (Mrs. Amanda M'Kittrick). Irene Iddersleigh. Belfast, Baird 1897, First Edn. of her First Book, orig. dec. cloth, slightly shaken. Scarce. Laid in is her card, addressed from the house she built at Larne Harbour with the proceeds of the book; tipped in is a TL (copy) dated Aug. 13 1900, discussing her spiritual beliefs. 'Of course I've given you my sincere views but as a writer I vary them'.Signed in pencil on h.t., W. Godfrey Macourt (?), 12 July 1898, and profusely decorated throughout with small attractive sketches, pencil and ink, unsigned, probably by Mr. Macourt, but just possibly by the author.On reverse of the final page, p. 189, is a passage headed 'Olive Oil' in manuscript, signed A. McK. R., possibly in the author's hand.An interesting copy of a scarce book, printed at the expense of the author's husband. (1)

Signed by All the ContributorsWylie (Donovan). 32 Counties. Photographs of Ireland, with new writing by thirty-two Irish writers. L., Secker, 1989, quarto cloth, d.w., orig. slipcase, No. 79 of 150 Numbered Copies Signed at end by all the contributors, including Seamus Heaney, John McGahern, William Trevor, Ben Kiely, Francis Stuart, etc., and with the original signed manuscript of John Banville's chapter on Wexford, 5 pp, together with 'unpublished print signed by the photographer' which should be in the pocket at front. (1)

With Manuscript Poem by AuthorA.E. [Russell (George)] The Earth Breath and Other Poems. Lane, L. 1896, First Edn, sm qto boards, glassine wrapper., very good copy. With an eight-line poem by 'AE' on f.e.p., signed starting 'The sweetest song was ever sung ..' (1)

With Manuscript Poem by the AuthorYoung (Ella) Marzilian and Other Poems, 8vo, California (Halyan Press) 1938, Signed Ltd. Edn. No. 1 (500), with two paragraph m/ss poem on f.e.p. entitled "For Brysanthe" and dated "22 December 1938," decor. cloth backed boards. Clean Copy. (1)* This copy appears to be Brysanthe's Copy for whom the book is dedicated and for whom the songs were made.

Signed Limited Edition of Peppercanister IKinsella (Thomas) Butcher's Dozen, 8vo D. 1972. First Edn. Limited, No. 56 of 100 Copies, Signed by Author, orig. mor. backed red cloth boards, with a Signed Manuscript Note to Mr. Leeson, from the author; and a copy of the First General Edition loosely inserted. Scarce & Fine. (1)* The first publication of the author's own press.

With Four Manuscript Poems loosely InsertedNi Dhomhnaill (Nuala) An Dealg Droighin, Cork (Mercier) 1981. First; Fear Suaithinseach, 8vo Maynooth (An Sagart) 1984. First, pict. d.w.; Pharaohs Daughter, Gallery 1990. First Edn., pict. d.w.; also Feis, roy 8vo Maynooth (An Sagart) 1991. First Edn. Signed by Author, & with 2 Manuscript Poems, 'Ceist na Teangan,' 'Oilean,' 'Amhrain an Fhir Oig, & 'An Cuairteois,' all loosely inserted, cloth & d.w.; & 1 other. As a lot. Rare. (1)

With Manuscript Poems InsertedJohnson (Lionel) Some Poems of, [selected & edited by] Louise Imogen Guiney, L., Elkin Mathews 1912, orig. wrappers, 12mo, First Edn. Laid in are three foolscap sheets in Johnson's hand, one with a signed note, bearing copies of poems by Johnson on Irish subjects, titled Ninety-Eight, Ways of War (To John O'Leary), Verses from a very long poem entitled "Ireland", Ireland's Dead (To John O'Mahony), some of these possibly unpublished (none is in the Elkin Mathews collection). As a collection. (1)Although not Irish, Johnson moved in Irish circles in London, and converted to Catholicism in 1891. He was a member of the Rhymers' Club (with Yeats), and was a cousin of Olivia Shakespear. Another cousin was Lord Alfred Douglas, whom he introduced to his friend Oscar Wilde. His best known work is At the Statue of King Charles at Charing Cross; Another poem, The Dark Angel, is said to be an influence on the Dark Angels chapter of Space Marines in the Warhammer 40,000 fictional universe (see Wikipedia).

O'Duffy (Eimar) The Walls of Athens. A Comedy in Allegory. Quarto wrappers, Irish Review 1914, First. Title page (cover) amended by a previous owner, J.A. Meagher, crossing out the words 'in Allegory', and stating these words 'were inserted by the Publisher at the suggestion of Thos. Mc Donogh but were not approved of by the author'. With cast list for first production (1915) in manuscript on prelim; and with production markings (possibly from this production) in ink in the body of the text. Notes on 'The Celtic Renaissance' on rear wrapper. Rare. (1)

A Wicklow Emigrant's PoemsManuscript: A single sheet of good quality Notepaper, watermarked Ancient Irish Vellum, bearing two manuscript poems, unsigned, probably original, the first commencing 'In London here the streets are grey, & grey the skies above / I wish I were in Ireland to see the skies I love ..', and continuing '.. I dream I see the Wicklow hills by evening sunlight kissed / An' every glen & valley there brimful of radiant mist ..'. The second poem, overleaf, describes a windy morning in Co. Wicklow, commencing 'Last night the air was cold & still / No breeze was moving in Gleanndubh ..' As a m/ss., w.a.f. (1)The verse is competent, in a ballad style, and evidently written from personal experience; -hopefully someone may recognise the handwriting.

MacDonagh (Donagh) A sheet bearing manuscript drafts of two sections of his verse play 'Happy as Larry', profusely corrected, one side in green ink commencing 'Mrs. L. I have spoken of faithfulness to memory / Of [ ..] widowhood & moving funerals / But now with Larry stretched and suddenly dead / The house filled up with mourners ..'The other side, in blue ink, commences 'Dr. Mrs. Larry, do you wonder / In the night-time unattended / Loveless in your grieving ..'Unsigned, but undoubtedly in MacDonagh's untidy hand. 'Happy as Larry' was performed at the Abbey Theatre, and was published by Maurice Fridberg. As m/ss,. w.a.f. (2)·Donagh MacDonagh, a lawyer and judge, was a son of Thomas MacDonagh, executed after the Easter Rising.

Young (Ella) writer and mystic. Notes on the Celtic Festival of Samhain (29th Oct. to 4th Nov.). Two pages manuscript [single sheet], signed. 'It was the Feast of Mananaun, & only those who through much heroism & suffering had reached the divine wisdom could partake of it .. Sadi [?] organised a series of tableaux to illustrate this festival .. On the 30th Oct., the day on which the news of her death reached me, the sun set in a splendour of pure gold over Galway Bay ..' As a m/ss., w.a.f. (1)An evocative piece. We have not identified Sadi;hopefully someone may know who she was. (1)

Positive Proof of Hyde's AuthorshipManuscript: Hyde (Dr. Douglas) 'An Craoibhín' A short ALs. to Lady Gregory, 4 pp (single folded sheet), in pencil, from Ratra, July 14 1918. 'I met Yeats in Dublin, & he gave me your kind message ... I came home at the end of June, but am not much better, I cannot fish or boat or bicycle, and when the grouse come in I fear I won't be able to shoot! .. I enclose a poem which may amuse you. I wrote it in a white heat when Lloyd George made his conscription speech.'The poem is the well-known 'Almost any O or MAC to Almost any Englishman, with Almost any Englishman's Answer', a most effective polemic, which we believe was not ascribed to Hyde when first published. It is here printed on one side of a folio sheet, inscribed in manuscript 'July 1918. An Craoibhín do scríobh agus é tinn ar a leabaidh' ['Douglas Hyde wrote this on his sick-bed']. Very rare, probably printed for Hyde.'On reading Christopher Benson's "Hymn for Empire Day". 'Lord of our fathers, for we too / As well as Benson, have our God, / Call off from us his callous crew / And break in two his ruthless rod / And numb we pray the unpitying hand / Which tortured us so many a year, / And make his nation understand / There is a God above to fear ..'With related stamped envelope, addressed in Hyde's hand to 'Lady Gregory, Teach na Cúlach, Gort, Co. Galway, inscribed in Lady Gregory's hand, '1918 (The War)'. (1)Provenance: From the collection of Mrs. Catherine Kennedy, 'Nu' the grand-daughter of Lady Gregory. Her father Robert, was the subject of W.B. Yeats's poem, "An Irish Airman Forsees His Death."

A Plot Against the Gaelic League?Manuscript: Hyde (Dr. Douglas) 'An Craoibhín Aoibhinn'. An important manuscript letter, 8 pp (two folded sheets), on his Ratra Notepaper, dated Márta [March] 24, [19]02, to an unnamed correspondent ['A Charaid dhílis'], evidently a Donegal resident, and his/her friend Pádraig, who is also to be informed.'I am writing to you on an important matter that concerns the very life or death of the Gaelic League.' Hyde says a friend in whom he has the fullest confidence, has informed him of a plot being hatched in the office of the Freeman newspaper. 'The power of the Gaelic League was to be broken. We were getting too strong for the "National" cause (i.e. the politicians) .. The plot is to be carried out by making the Branches adopt a new Constitution which is being urged upon them by Mr. O'Keefe, a Freeman reporter - who is not working at his own expense. This Constitution will leave the Executive at headquarters only a shadow of power. The real power & funds will be dissipated amongst a number of local bodies which are much easier managed & controlled.'Hyde claims that 'Dr. O'Hickey, John MacNeill (the founder of the Gaelic League) and myself are to be got rid of, the first two because they are "political disruptionists" (which they are not), & I because I am dangerous for other reasons. This is to be done by providing that both President & Vice Presidents be elected by ballot. When we are got rid of & the power of the Executive reduced to vanishing point, then there will be peace ..'Hyde says that 'it has been our strong central executive, controlling 3 organizers, a paid staff, a weekly paper, & ruling 300 branches from our rooms in Dublin, that has made us a power .. It is this that has made MPs assist us in Parliament, & that has enabled us to beat first the National and then the Intermediate Board [of Education], in so far as we have beaten them. But once break up the central grip of affairs, dissipate the money & power amongst a number of local bodies, & the League becomes useless as a power either for good or ill in the national life.'Hyde asks his correspondent to give a strong lead to the delegates from Donegal in the right direction, and to keep what he has written quite secret, firstly to protect his informant, and secondly because 'to publish matters wd create a row in the face of the enemy, & we can defeat the scheme quietly by being forewarned.' (1)A most important letter for the history of the Gaelic League, and an indication of Hyde's effectiveness as an organiser. As a m/ss, w.a.f. Ex. Rare.

Manuscripts: [Hyde (Dr. Douglas)] Gaelic Proverbs. A folder containing six manuscript collections from different areas of Ireland, etc., evidently submitted for an Oireachtas competition. From Douglas Hyde's collection; Hyde may have been one of the judges. A very interesting lot, as a collection, w.a.f. (1)

Co. Limerick: [Hyde (Dr. Douglas)] Irish Folk Lore. 'Jack the Gambler', and seven similar folk tales in English, transcribed in cyclostyled typescript, about 50 pp in all, the first inscribed in Hyde's hand, 'An ingen uasal Jevers do scríobh iad so, ó chondae Luimnighe. An Windelach do thug domhsa iad, 1905?'. Interesting collection of folk-tales from Co. Limerick, some with the story-teller identified in manuscript, some with Hyde's notes as to related story-types. As a collection. (1)

Yeats (W.B.) A manuscript letter to 'My dear Hyde', from Nassau Hotel, 8 April '04, 2 pp, concerning theatre patents, Miss Horniman, Lady Gregory etc., an important letter, NOT in Yeats' hand, signed with his name, the signature in Yeats' hand. (1) According to Yeats, Collected Letters Vol. III (1901-4), this letter was dictated to Miss Horniman and is in her hand, apart from Yeats' signature. The text concerns the patent for their new theatre, soon to be renamed as the Abbey. 'If the other theatres got wind of it they would spend any amount of money to thwart us'. As a m/ss, w.a.f.

Original Signed Manuscript PoemMuldoon (Paul) The Sonogram, an original three paragraph M/ss Poem Signed; Ireland broadside D. (Graphic Studio) n.d. Signed Ltd. Edn. 2 (20), approx. 43cms x 44cms; From the Mud Room, broadside, Massachusetts (Deerfield Press) 1997, Signed Ltd. Edn. 150 Copies, all clean copies. (3)

Two ALS Letters Re The 17th Century Iron Mines at EnniscorthyCo. Wexford Manuscript: Ironworks were established at Enniscorthy in 1661. The first letter, dated 27 September of that year, is written by Bartholomew Hussey to John Morris in London. He has apparently been instructed to "seize on the sow and pigge iron Mr Low claimes for the Lord's rent", and requests specific authorisation to do so, for "without it they will undoubtedly put a baffle upon me".The second and much longer letter, dated 23 August 1669, is written by James Morley, also to John Morris in London. He reports that the Mayor of Wexford has seized iron from the mines in lieu of payment of a debt of £11,000 by Morris, and has refused the writer's offer to go bail for the debt. There is also an enigmatic reference to the tenancy of the manor: "There are very strange Reports how that Mr Stampe & the Lords have agreed … to be Tenant of ye manner of Enniscorthy, but hope it proceeds from noe better ground than other the tales of Stampe & his Creatures, which is their father the devill the author of all their lying & villanyes." As m/ss, w.a.f. These letters provide interesting sidelights on the development of the 17th-century ironworks in Co. Wexford. (2)

[Pearse (Padraig)] A collection of manuscript and ptd. material relating to Pearse and The Mac Carthy Brothers, to include:* A M/ss Page signed and dated 11 August 1909 report "Scoil Eanna" for Diarmuid and Domhnaill Mac Carthy - Report of progress by P.H. Pearse describing them as "very bright, affectionate and loveable boys".* A Travel Pass for Dermott Mac Carthy signed by Austin Stack.* Photographs* A copy of "Scribhinn" by Pearse;* and a Padraig Pearse Medal, as a collection, w.a.f. (1)

Rare Private AccountManuscript: [Kavanagh (Patrick)] A Manuscript Account, 11 pages, dated 20/9/1989, apparently by Mary O'Halpin, elder sister of Patrick Kavanagh's widow Katherine (nee Moloney), describing Katherine's unexpected death, the decision to bury her with her late husband in Inniskeen, as requested in her will, a phone call to Kavanagh's brother Peter in New York, his opposition to the plan (allegedly describing the reopening of the grave as 'a desecration'), followed by events at the graveyard in Inniskeen, where the wrong grave was initially opened. Katherine's family stood firm, with support from various poets including John Montague and Anthony Cronin, and eventually Katherine's body was laid to rest with her husband as she had requested. As a m/ss, w.a.f. (1)A very interesting document. With a cutting of a newspaper interview with Peter Kavanagh.

The Author's First BookJoyce (James) Chamber Music. L., Elkin Mathews 1907, light green cloth gilt, a bright copy. First Edition of his First Book, First Issue (thick e.p., height 16.2 cms). Slocum & Cahoon 3, preceded only by The Holy Office (broadside) and the supposed broadside Et Tu Healy, of which no copy has ever been found. S&C, quoting Gorman, say 509 copies were published including all three issues; there may have been no more than 200 copies in the first issue. Newspaper cutting laid down on front pastedown, name (Vincent Clarke) on f.f.e.p., a little spotting on e.p.'s but, a very good clean square copy. Rare. (1)Published mainly by the exertions of Arthur Symons, who took the manuscript around to the London publishers until he found one willing to take a chance on an unknown author. Slocum & Cahoon A3,

Original Manuscript Page from Finnegan's Wake Joyce (James) A Manuscript Page of text from Finnegan's Wake, the opening of the Anna Livia Plurabelle section, 16 lines in Joyce's hand beginning 'Well; you know or don't you kennert ..', evidently a fair copy, on a single quarto sheet of grey-brown paper, signed at head 'Paris / 6.iv.1930 / James Joyce'. In fine condition. (1) In a custom made green cloth perspex lined binder's folder. For the collector who has (almost) everything.

Original Manuscript PoemHeaney (Seamus) The Schoolbag. In Memoriam John Hewitt. A manuscript fair copy in brown ink, Signed and dated November 8 1991, single sheet, and a typescript draft with manuscript corrections in Heaney's hand showing some variances from the published version. A poem in the making. Each with a single fold mark, else v.g. As a m/ss, w.a.f. (2)

Signed Copies, with Additional Items Inserted Eden (Helen Perry) Bread and Circuses, L. (J. Lane) 1914, First Edn., Signed Pres. Copy; Whistles of Silver and other Stories, roy 8vo Milwaukee 1933. First Edn., Signed Pres. Copy; Whistles of Silver and other Stories, roy 8vo Milwaukee 1933. First Edn., with illus. by Denis Eden, Signed Pres. Copy, 'For ... Emma .. from Helen & Denis, H.P.E. 1946'; also Poems & Verses, Milwaukee 1943. First Edn., port. frontis. Signed Pres. Copy, 'For Norah .. from Simon, Denis & Helen Parry Eden, Christmas 1946,' with an orig. 3 verse poem in manuscript, The Black Shawl, signed and inscribed, Helen Perry Eden 3 Novara Terrace, Bray, Co. Wicklow, 2pp loosely inserted, together with photographs of Helen & Denis, also with orig. music sheet, Signed, of 'The Carol of the Star,' As a lot. Scarce. (3)

Presentation Copies from 'An Craibhin' to Neili ni BhriainPamphlets: [Hyde (Douglas)] Ubhla de n Chraoibh, sm. 8vo D. n.d. First Edn., [VI] [55]pp. Inscribed on title 'Neili ni Bhriain o n a casaid an Ghraoibhin,' bound with An Posadh Drama Ein Gnimh, D. n.d., inscribed 'Neili ni Bhriain' 64pp; with The Last Three Centuries of Gaelic Literature, inscribed 'Neili ni Bhriain on gCraoibhin, Domhn. Casga 0g,' with Maistin an Bhearla, 12mo inscribed 'Neili ni Bhriain,' 4 works in one vol., later cloth. (1)* With correction and manuscript notes by Hyde in pencil. Nelly O'Brian was also a leading figure in the Irish Language Movement. (1)

O'Faolain (Sean) The Silver Branch, An Anthology. 8vo L. 1938. First Edn. d.w.; The Short Story, N.Y. 1951. First U.S. Edn., d.w.; I Remember! I Remember!, L. 1962. First Edn., d.w.; Foreign Affairs and other Stories, L. 1976. First Edn., cold. d.w.; An Irish Journey, With Illustrations by Paul Henry. 8vo L. 1947. Illus. & pict. d.w. also With a manuscript note from Paul Henry, dated Dec. 1943, re volume 'The Story of Ireland.' As a lot. (5)

Dolmen Press Editions X: Gregory (Lady) Coole, Completed from the Manuscript. Sm. folio D. 1971. Lim. Edn. 1050 Copies, decor. end papers, cloth backed boards & red & bl. d.w. (1)

Two Indian antique manuscript pages. Each with one side of text and the other with a painted gouache scene, one of erotic nature, 19.5cm x 12cm. Condition Report. To be used as a guide only. Some discolouration and torn edges.

A framed Persian manuscript page, with two bands of text framing a painted gouache scene of a mounted falconer, 20.5cm x 11.5cm. Condition Report. To be used as a guide only. Very good condition.

SCRAP ALBUM: small format scrap album, circa 1830, including watercolour of erupting volcano, other watercolours and drawings, engravings and manuscripts etc, contemp red morocco gilt 8vo. (1) Condition Report: Comprises: 9 etchings; 5 watercolours; 2 faint pencil sketches; 2 watercolours on rice paper; and 11 manuscript pages.

GEORGE III COMMISSION: military commission dated 1798, inscribed by George III upper left, manuscript details somewhat faded and illegible, framed and glazed. (1)

DOCUMENTS & EPHEMERA: a quantity of misc. deeds, documents, receipts and miscellaneous manuscript material, 17th-19th century, to include several manuscript documents on vellum. (Quantity)

FREEDOM OF THE CITY, DUBLIN: a manuscript document awarding one Joseph Walker Esq, Major of Royal Irish Artillery, the Freedom of the City of Dublin and dated 20th January 1797, presented by Mayor Samuel Reed and others, calligraphic manuscript on paper, approx 103 x 40.5cm to perimeter, some marking and wear from old folds. (1)