Irish History – Rare (280 items)

[Bloody Sunday / Pamphlet plus Rare original Letters and Witness Statements

3. [Bloody Sunday / Pamphlet plus Rare original Letters and Witness Statements of members of “The Association of Irish Priests” Priests who were eyewitnesses to the Bloody Sunday Events].

“Massacre at Derry” [Pamphlet] plus: Typed Letter and Typed Statements by Donal Flanagan (Secretary of the Central Committee of the Association of Irish Priests) and original Typescript-Statements by the Association of Irish Pries: Typescript 1: “Documentation on the Situation in the North of Ireland” [″Statement on ‘Violence’ by the Ulster Branch of the Association of Irish Priests”] (3 pages) / Typescript 2: “Statement issued by seven priests who were in Derry’s Bogside during the Shootings on 30th January 1972” (″We accuse the Colonel of the Parachute Regiment of wilful murder…..It is untrue that shots were fired at the troops in Rossville Street before they attacked….signed (typed) by Reverends Anthony Mulvey, Edward Daly, G.McLaughlin, Denis Bradley, Michael McIvor, Thomas O’Gara) / Typescript 3: “Letter of Reverend Terence M.O’Keefe, Secretary Ulster Branch, Association of Irish Priests (Published in ‘Irish Press’, 5 February 1972 (″May i be permitted the use of your columns to give account of what i personally witnessed in Derry on Sunday afternoon”….″hen the Paratroopers arrived to us, Fr. Bradley and myself were refused permission on three occasions to attend to the wounded and dying, this with the most foul abuse and some blows from rifle butts”…″I was brought to a lorry, batoned in into it and taken to the army base on the Strand road….I find myself with bruised legs, arm and some back pain…I was lucky….Many others from the second lorry-load had faces smashed and heads cracked during their journey to the army centre….I might, perhaps, be counted as a reasonably credible witness as a Roman Catholic Priest, a university lecturer (in philosophy) and at present Dean of the School of Humanities at the New University of Ulster. I suppose that at present my feelings are of sickness, disgust and, I am afraid, anger. All I can hope is that some time in the future forgiveness and love will replace these. Till then is it too much to ask that the truth be told and that Westminster face the question of responsibility for what I personally, can only see as callous and brutal murder?” (Signed (Typed): Terence M.O’Keefe) /

First Edition (possibly only edition). Derry & Maynooth, Civil Rights Movement & Letters and Staments form Priest of St.Patrick’s College (Maynooth) and the Association of Irish Priests (Eagras Sagart Eireann), 1972. Octavo. Pamphlet: 48 pages / Typed Letter and Statements: “Letter by Donal Flanagan”: 1 page / “Documentation on the Situation in the North of Ireland”: 3 pages / “Statement by Seven Priests”: 1 page / “Letter of Reverend Terence O’Keefe”: 2 pages. Stapled, original, illustrated softcover pamphlet and stapled Letters/Statements. Overall in very good condition with only minor signs of wear. Extremely rare Pamphlet but even rarer original documents from the Priest of Maynooth College in Protest of the events of Bloody Sunday and a general analysis of the Situation in the North (Sociological Analysis). Extremely scarce collection.

EUR 960,-- 

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Cloyne / Stock - [Sammelband on Irish Protestantism and Irish Presbyterians]

6. Cloyne, Richard [Woodward] Lord Bishop of / Stock, Joseph [Late Fellow of Trinity College Dublin] / [Baggs, Stephen].

[Sammelband on Irish Protestantism and Irish Presbyterians] – Volume I: Richard, Lord Bishop of Cloyne – The Present State of the Church of Ireland: Containing a description of its Precarious Situation; and the consequent danger to the public. Recommended to the serious consideration of the Friends of the Protestant Interest. To which are subjoined some reflections on the impracticability of a proper Commutation for Tithes; and a general account of the origin and progress of the Insurrections in Munster. The Ninth Edition. [Dublin, Sleater, 1787]/ Bound with [Volume II]: Joseph Stock – A Reply to the Rev. Dr. Campbell’s Vindication of the Principles and Character of the Presbyterians of Ireland. In which the question is discussed, whether our political constitution might be improved, by substituting, in place of the present ecclesiastical establishment of England and Ireland, either the Presbyterian or Independent Model of Church Polity. [Dublin, J. Exshaw, 1787] / Bound with [Volume III]: [Baggs, Stephen] – The Insurrection. Or, A Faithful Narrative of the Disturbances which lately broke out in the Province of Munster, under the Denomination of White or Right-Boys. [″The wonderful year…Annus Mirabilis (Swift)” – Dublin, W. Sleater, 1787] //

Dublin, W. Sleater / J. Exshaw, 1787. Octavo. 138, 123 (7), (2), 45 pages plus advertising-leaf for the Stephen Baggs-publication on the Irish Insurrection, (as called for). Original, contemporary Hardcover with manuscript spine-label and marbled-paper-covered-boards, housed in a bespoke made Clamshell Box / Solander-Box. Bindung strong and firm but slightly stained and stronger rubbed. Spine slightly damaged. Front free endpaper missing. Otherwise in very good condition. With the rare publication in the rear of the Volume on ‘Whiteboyism’ (The Whiteboys or in Gaeilge: ‘na Buachaillí Bána’), including a rare advertising – sheet by bookseller W. Sleater, glued to the rear pastedown. mentioning three publications: 1. A Letter to Rev. Doctor O’Leary, found on the great Road leading from the City of Cork to Cloughnakilty [Clonakilty] / 2. A Short Refutation of the Arguments contained in Dr. Butler’s Letter to Lord Kenmare / 3. The Present State of the Church of Ireland].

EUR 1.500,-- 

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McKevitt, Christus Rex - An Irish Quarterly Journal of Sociology. A Collection of 24 Volumes

24. [Curtayne, Alice] / McKevitt, P. / Lucey, C. / Conway, J. Jacobus / Christus Rex Society of Irish Diocesan Priests / Rísteard Ó Cíonga [Richard King as Illustrator] / etc.

Alice Curtayne as Contributor to Irish Periodicals / Journals / Digests. The collection aims for completion and collects not only issues of periodicals with contributions by Alice Curtayne but hopes to complete each set of periodicals to which Alice Curtayne contributed between the years of 1930 and 1980, in order to allow for cross-referencing of contributors, study cooperation between illustrators and Alice Curtayne, her influence and acceptance as early female contributor in a men’s world, possibly even deciphering pseudonyms under which Curtayne might have written or essays she might have contributed to but her name was omitted; in general: circumstances which have not been detected yet. The Collection is documented thoroughly in professional images and descriptions on our website and includes to date: I. Alice Curtayne as Contributor to “The Irish Digest”: 1. “The Irish Digest” from September 1940 – including the article: Alice Curtayne – “Lament of an Author” / II. Alice Curtayne as Contributor to “Christus Rex”: “Christus Rex” – An Irish Quarterly Journal of Sociology. A Collection of 24 issues of the important and underrated publication “Christus Rex” including: 1. Volume XX, No.4 of “Christus Rex”: Alice Curtayne – “The Council and Women” ]. / III. Alice Curtayne as Contributor to “The Furrow”: “The Furrow” – Monthly Journal published by the Leinster Leader, Naas and Edited by Rev. J.G.McGarry. A Collection of 56 issues of the Journal, including two issues with Curtayne – publications: 1. “Saint Patrick in his Confession” – (In: “The Furrow” from March 1951) and 2. “Marillac Manor” (in “The Furrow” from July 1959) and 3. “Ecumenism in Dublin” (In “The Furrow” from February 1966) / IV. Alice Curtayne as Contributor to “The Capuchin Annual”. Including: 1. Alice Curtayne – “For the Septcentenary of St.Anthony of Padua (1231 – 1931)” – [including a portrait photograph of Alice Curtayne] / 2. Alice Curtayne – “Five Irish Saints” (″The Living Patrick” / “Saint Colmcille – Irishman” / “Saint Brendan – The Navigator” / “Saint Ita” / “The Method of Saint Columbus” / (In: Capuchin Annual 1945-1946 – with Illustrations in color by Stained Glass Artist, Rísteard Ó Cíonga [Richard King].

Naas, Christus Rex Publications, 1949 – 1967. Octavo. 81 Issues with different amounts of pages and content. Overall c. 4800 pages. Original Softcover. Excellent condition with some minor signs of wear only. Some of the issues with annotations and some with a former library-stamp. Very rare run of these periodicals which invited contributions from other women writers like Ita Meehan.

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Vere Foster, "Presentation Copy of "The Two Duchesses" with Autograph / Manuscript-Letter

25. Foster, Vere [Henry Louis / Lewis] / [Emily Albinia “Alba” Foster] / [Georgiana Duchess of Devonshire / Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire].

Amazing Vere Foster-Collection including Educational Materials and as a centerpiece the “Presentation Copy of “The Two Duchesses” with Autograph / Manuscript – Letter by Vere Foster to his niece, Emily Albinia “Alba” Foster. With a stunning, unpublished, two-page-letter, revealing several important details about the immediately favorable reviews and reception of the book [″in the Daily Telegraph”] and Vere Foster’s disdain about some criticism from one J.Donohue [which led to an alteration in the second edition of the book]. Vere Foster is also expecting a review to appear in the “Athenaeum” but reports “the Athenaeum has nothing yet”. Vere Foster apologizes to his niece for the delay in sending the book and explains that he had left 12 “parcels″£ with Blackie’s agent and gave instructions to send them but a few days later found they had been “untouched”. / The Two Duchesses – Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire / Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire – Family Correspondence of and Relating to Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire / Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire, Earl of Bristol (Bishop of Derby), The Countess of Bristol, Lord and Lady Byron, The Earl of Aberdeen, Sir Augustus Foster Bart, and Others, 1777-1859. [See Full list of items which are part of this collection, on our website under the topic “Libraries & Collections”].

First Edition. London / Glasgow and Dublin, Blackie & Son Limited, 1898. Octavo (15 cm x 22 cm). Pagination: Frontispiece, IX, [3], 497 pages with 18 Illustrations (including frontispiece and one Vignette of the two Duchesses opposite page 1). Hardcover / Original, publisher’s green cloth with gilt lettering on spine. Very good condition with some minor signs of wear only. This is an astonishing find for the Vere Foster Research Community and the letter gives significant insight into the importance the publication had for him, its reception as seen by Vere Foster and it solves the riddle why an altertaion was necessary for the second edition [which Vere Foster explains in a brief note to the reader at the beginning of the second edition]. The heartfelt inscription to his niece Albinia Foster is also of great importance and to our knowledge the only presentation-copy of this book on the international market for the several decades we can look back at auction records.

EUR 4.800,-- 

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Collection of eight publications by and about Agnes Mary Clerke plus one autographed / signed manuscript - letter by Agnes Clerke.

49. [Clerke, Agnes Mary].

Collection of eight publications by and about Agnes Mary Clerke plus one autographed / signed manuscript-letter by Agnes Clerke [The letter answers the request of a fellow german Astronomer who complimented her on her History of Astronomy and asked for her permission to translate her latest work). The recipient is possibly german astronomer R.Engelmann who wrote about Nebula. The letter dates from 1891 and is written in perfect german (Agnes Clerke was known to have written reviews and letters in French, German, Greek and Italian). This rare collection includes the following books: 1. A.M.Clerke – Geschichte der Astronomie während des neunzehnten Jahrhunderts. Gemeinfasslich dargestellt. (Autorisierte deutsche Ausgabe von H.Maser) – First german edition of “A popular History of Astronomy during the 19th century” from 1889 – with a signed, contemporary manuscript letter by Agnes Clerke in german (!) regarding this publication / 2. Agnes Clerke – Familiar Studies in Homer (London, 1892) / 3. Agnes Clerke – “The Herschels and Modern Astronomy” (with a loosely inserted portrait of Sir William Herschel) (London, 1895) / 4. Agnes Clerke – “A popular History of Astronomy during the 19th century” (The important Fourth Edition, revised and corrected by the author) (London, Adam and Charles Black, 1902) – Famously: With the vintage photographs pasted to frontispiece and titlepage / 5. Agnes Clerke – “The System of the Stars” – Second Edition (London, 1905) / 6. Agnes Clerke – Modern Cosmogonies (London, 1905) / 7. Agnes Clerke – “A popular History of Astronomy during the 19th century” 1908-Reprint of the important Fourth Edition, revised and corrected by the author) (London, Adam and Charles Black, 1908) / 8. Mary Brueck / Mary Brück – Agnes Mary Clerke & The Rise of Astrophysics (Cambridge University Press, 2002).

A mixture of first and later editions. Berlin / London, Springer / Cassell / Longmans & Green and others, 1889 – 1908. Octavo. More than 2500 pages with many illustrations and diagrams etc. / The vintage letter has two pages filled and signed by Clerke in ink / The only modern publication within the collection is a very important monograph on Clerke by scientist Mary Brueck / Mary Brück, published by Cambridge University Press (275 pages). Original Hardcovers in bespoke protective collector’s Mylar. Very good condition with only minor signs of external wear. A stunning collection of all the major publications by this important woman astronomer. Agnes Clerke paved the way for women in science and must be seen as the pioneer female astronomer. The price includes worldwide free shipping of the collection per UPS Express Courier.

EUR 2.400,-- 

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Gilpin / Castle Freke Library - Observations Relative Chiefly to Picturesque Beauty, Made in the Year 1776

51. Gilpin, William. [Castle-Freke Library Bookplates]

Collection of four Volumes (bound in two) by Gilpin – All from the historical library at Castle Freke (Castlefreke, West Cork / Ireland). The Volumes include: I. & II. Observations Relative Chiefly to Picturesque Beauty, Made in the Year 1776, on Several Parts of Great Britain; particularly the High-Lands of Scotland. [Second Edition, with an “Account of the Prints” bound to the rear] / III. Observations on the River Wye and several Parts of South Wales &c. relative chiefly to Picturesque Beauty; Made in the summer of the Year 1770 (Third Edition). / IV. An Essay on Prints – [″The chief intention of the following work was to put the elegant amusement of collecting prints, on a more rational footing; by giving the unexperienced collector a few principles and cautions to assist him”] (Fourth Edition with the printed dedication “To the Honorable Horace Walpole in Deference to his Taste in the Polite Arts; and the Valuable Researches he has made to improve them; the following work is inscribed by his most obedient and very humble servant, William Gilpin”). [Volumes I & II with 40 original illustrations and vintage 18th century maps [correctly 39 illustrations and one table], for example of Loch Lomond and the Firth of Forth/ all illustrations are vintage mezzotint-plates].

Mixed Editions. Four Volumes (bound in two). London, Printed for R. Blamire, Strand, 1792. Octavo. Pagination: Volume I: XI, [1], 221 pages with 24 mezzotints / Volume II: 195, XVI pages with 16 mezzotints and an “Account of the Prints” as well as “Translations of Latin Passages” / [Volume III]: [River Wye]: XVI, 152 pages with 16 (of 17) full – page mezzotints / [Volume IV]: [An Essay on Prints]: XIII, [3], 174 pages plus XI pages Index and 1 page Errata. Hardcover / Early 19th century quarter – morocco with gilt lettering and ornament on spine. Both volumes bound in unison. Very good + condition with only minor signs of external wear. Pages 185 – 191 of Volume I with some stronger browning. Otherwise the interior very clean. All mezzotints in very good or even better condition. This is the original copy from the historical Castle-Freke Library in West Cork (Ireland), with two armorial bookplates to front and rear pastedown with the family’s motto ‘Pro Patria’. With two pages of manuscript annotations by a contemporary hand with a reference between the common name “Tarbet” in Scotland and a place-name in County Kerry in Ireland” (pages 13 of Volume II) / another entry is on page 12 of Volume II regarding the name-sake “Loch-Loung” for a Lake of ships in Scotland and Ireland.

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Hodges, Cork and County Cork in the Twentieth Century / Contemporary Biographies

55. Hodges, Rev. Richard J. / Pike, W.T.

Cork and County Cork in the Twentieth Century / Contemporary Biographies. / [History of Big Houses, Town Houses and Country Estates in Cork, County Cork, North Cork, East Cork & West Cork with original Photographs of Houses and Portraits as well as Biographies of the Men and their Families who lived in these Houses] / [Full-Leather-Version – Limited Edition Reprint]. Edited by W. T. Pike.

Limited Edition Reprint of the First and only Edition by Pike in 1911. [Skibbereen (County Cork)], Inanna Rare Books / Inanna Reprint Series, 2022. 4° (24,5 cm wide x 33,5 cm high). 319 pages with hundreds of photographs and including an Index to Biographies and Illustrations. Hardcover / Full-Leather with marbled-paper-covered boards in protective Collector’s Mylar. [Important Information: This special limited edition has a special feature which makes each volume of this reprint unique: Each version of the book is bound by hand by a craft-bookbindery and the colour of the leather and endpapers, are always different / This means the interior is always the same while the look of the binding can differ from the image attached to this description]. One of 150 copies of the Full-Leather-version of a limited edition, republished by Inanna Rare Books Ltd. / This high-quality reprint, hand-bound and hand-numbered, includes hundreds of photographs of grand houses in the irish countryside from South Cork to North Cork, from East Cork to West Cork. The stories of the houses are not only accompanied by photographs of now mostly vanished or derelict homes, the images also show the original state of homes which are now restructured etc. The second part of the publication offers an abundance of historical biographies of local irish Nobility (Meade family, O’Callaghan, Browne, Kelly etc.), Gentry and Clergy and general owners of Country Houses etc. [Pike’s New Century Series].

EUR 550,-- 

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Hodges, Cork and County Cork in the Twentieth Century / Contemporary Biographies

56. Hodges, Rev. Richard J. / Pike, W.T.

Cork and County Cork in the Twentieth Century / Contemporary Biographies. / [History of Big Houses, Town Houses and Country Estates in Cork, County Cork, North Cork, East Cork & West Cork with original Photographs of Houses and Portraits as well as Biographies of the Men and their Families who lived in these Houses] / [Half-Leather-Version – Limited Edition Reprint]. Edited by W. T. Pike.

Limited Edition Reprint of the First and only Edition by Pike in 1911. [Skibbereen (County Cork)], Inanna Rare Books / Inanna Reprint Series, 2022. 4° (24,5 cm wide x 33,5 cm high). 319 pages with hundreds of photographs and including an Index to Biographies and Illustrations. Hardcover / Half-Leather with marbled-paper-covered boards in protective Collector’s Mylar. [Important Information: This special limited edition has a special feature which makes each volume of this reprint unique: Each version of the book is bound by hand by a craft-bookbindery and the colour of the leather and endpapers, as well as the marbled-paper-covered boards, are always different / This means the interior is always the same while the look of the binding can differ from the image attached to this description]. One of 350 copies of the Half-Leather-version of a limited edition, republished by Inanna Rare Books Ltd. / This high-quality reprint, hand-bound and hand-numbered, includes hundreds of photographs of grand houses in the irish countryside from South Cork to North Cork, from East Cork to West Cork. The stories of the houses are not only accompanied by photographs of now mostly vanished or derelict homes, the images also show the original state of homes which are now restructured etc. The second part of the publication offers an abundance of historical biographies of local irish Nobility (Meade family, O’Callaghan, Browne, Kelly etc.), Gentry and Clergy and general owners of Country Houses etc. [Pike’s New Century Series].

EUR 475,-- 

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