1. Curtayne, Alice.

Alice Curtayne Collection: Alice Curtayne and “The Capuchin Annual”. A collection of essays, contributed by Alice Curtayne to one of Ireland’s most important Periodicals of the 20th century. The collection includes the early 1931 issue with the beautiful portrait of youthful Alice Curtayne. While the collection is still growing, unknown essays and contributions of her are surfacing [Please offer interesting material, letters, signed books etc.]. The Capuchin Annual – Collection of Alice Curtayne Material includes at the moment: 1. Alice Curtayne – “For the Septcentenary of St.Anthony of Padua (1231 – 1931) – A Study of St.Anthony the Preacher” [in: “The Capuchin Annual for the year 1931” / Including the early Curtayne-Portrait and three text-illustrations] / 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]).

Dublin, The Father Mathew Record Office, 1930 / 1945. Octavo (18 cm x 25 cm). Pagination for the Curtayne – contribution in Capuchin Annual 1931 [Second Year of Publication of the Annual]: 8 pages (pages 18 – 25) / Pagination for the Curtayne – contribution in Capuchin Annual 1945-1946 [Sixteenth Year of Publication of the Annual]: 9 pages (pages 269 – 277) plus Frontispiece and 4 further full-page-illustrations of Saints in color by the Risteárd Ó Cionga [Richard King]. Original illustrated Softcover. Good condition with some signs of wear (fraying to cover).

2. [Irish Traditional Boat Building / Manuscript Day-book Passage West] Roberts, Capt. R.E.

Manuscript Folio Day-book of Passage West (County Cork) Boat-builder, Captain R.E. Roberts [direct relation of relative of Capt. R.R. Roberts of ‘The Sirius’]. With original correspondence, manuscript and typed letters to Roberts, Drafts of his replies and notes on wishes of clients regarding the building of Boats, delivery of Oars, detailed wishes of clients for the building of boats. Orders which reached Roberts range from Yachts and their accoutrements to Punts and Dinghies. Clients included C.W. Read, solicitor (insurance claim for gangway accident on the S.S. Amarglin), Miss Hill (‘daughter of H. Hill, Architect, regarding the Yacht “Yodash”), A.J. Wolfe (Yacht “Marion”), J.F. Quain of Ardmore etc. (see further details below).

Passage West (County Cork), 1939-1940. Folio (21.5 cm wide x 31.5 cm high). 242 pages of an alphabetized Ledger of which 48 pages are full of manuscript-entries and numerous other pages have been used to tip-in letters which Roberts received from clients. With numerous further letters, postcards loosely inserted. Original Hardcover. Binding in rough but still firm condition with stronger signs of external wear. Fantastic example of a Day-to-Day Order-Book of an irish Traditional Boat Builder, active in the war-years of 1939 and 1940. Captain R.E. Roberts Boat-building Business, being a direct relative of R.R.Roberts (″The Sirius”), is a great example of traditional succession in irish craftsmanship. The Day-book gives us insight into the wishes of clients, pricing, quotes and reason of orders and how on the one hand irish Traditional Boat-Building was revered abroad and also greatly supported and sought after by the local irish population. Roberts’ Boat-Building-company also had contracts from overseas and the correspondence reflects the hard times and imminent outbreak of war, which plays a role in the worries of Robert’s clients and must have had an enormous impact on his company. Client W.R.ffrench Mullen speaks in a letter from April 15th, 1939 of the fear of not being able to come and meet his boatbuilder: “I am (unless Europe boils up before in the next forty-eight hours) coming over on about a fortnights leave, leaving London Saturday next.” In another letter from May 2nd, 1939, ffrench Mullen hopes “the boat is progressing well” and that the company of D.O’Brien Corkery & Co. can deliver it in their lorry to Kenmare. Roberts notes about this client in his day-book an important message to one of his builders: “My client says he knows nothing about sailing – would you suggest that the area of Sails be in the Small Side for Safety – the boat is for use on the Kenmare River”. Roberts notes about another client, Mrs. Howell of Fountaintown, who ordered a 11ft boat for children on Sunday 4-9-38 for Easter 1939 – Quoted 22 per ft = £12 / Roberts notes about “Miss Hill from Monkstown (daughter of Lt.Hill Architect) ordered 7-1-39 Centre Board Boat, Spirit Sail (brown), oars, rudder, Name on transome “YOLDASH”, varnished top sides painted underneath – agreed price £16 – To be ready for Easter Holidays – Took Boat away 7-4-39 – pleased”. / More details on other orders below.

3. Vallancey, Charles / Piers, Sir Henry [Provenance: Abraham Abell (Cork City)].

Collectanea de Rebus Hibernicis – Five-Volume-Set with thirteen (13) Numbers (I – XIII) plus “A Vindication of the Ancient History of Ireland” and “Anecdotes of Chess in Ireland”. [See full list of Numbers, Chapters and Illustrations below and detailed images on our website].

Dublin, Thomas Ewing, 1770 – 1790. Octavo (13,5 cm wide x 21,5 cm high). Pagination: Volume I (contains Numbers I, II, III, IV): Frontispiece-Portrait, XIV, [6 unnumbered pages of “Contents”], 636 pages, [2] pages with the contents-page misbound [2], and 24 pages on “The Brehon Laws of Ireland” to the rear of the Volume. Volume I includes three illustrations (including the Large Folding-Map of Meath)/ Volume II (contains Numbers V, VI, VII, VIII, IX): 562 pages and 10 illustrations (including the Large Folding-Plan of the City of Kilkenny) / Volume III (contains Numbers X, XI, XII): LXX, 682 pages with one illustration (being the Large Fold-Out-Map of “Antient Ireland” by William Beauford) and VI Tables on two large sheets in the rear of the Volume (containing Orthography/Names of Numbers in different Languages, Names of Numbers of some of the Indians of America etc. etc. compared to the antient Irish) / Volume IV (contains Number XIII of Collectanea de Rebus Hibernicis and “A Vindication of the Ancient History of Ireland” by Charles Vallancey”): LX, 161 pages (being the end of Number XIII), plus Pagination for “The Vindication of the Ancient History of Ireland”: Frontispiece-Map of Europe and Asia, XLVIII, 551 pages, followed by 16 unnumbered pages of an Index for “The Ancient History of Ireland”, followed by X (10) Plates (mainly fold-out plates with numerous illustrations for the “Ancient History of Ireland”, aslo included is a text-illustration “Inscription in the Cave of New Grange (page 212). / Volume V of Collectanea de Rebus Hibernicis: 368 pages plus Hardcover / Original 19th century full-leather with gilt lettering and ornament to spine. Very good condition with only minor signs of wear. Spine of Volume Three is coming apart. From the library of Cork Antiquarian Abraham Abell, with an inscription and original manuscript letter by his friend and “Brother Antiquarian”, John Bennett, 9 Academy St., 18th September, 1841.

4. Curtayne, Alice.

Alice Curtayne and “Studies – An Irish Quarterly Review” – Irish Quarterly Scholarly Journal, historically published since the year 1912 by The Educational Company of Ireland / The Talbot Press / Messenger Publications for the Jesuits of Ireland. A Collection of momentarily 53 issues plus Index (1912-1961) of the Journal, including currently one identified issue with an Alice Curtayne – publication: 1. “Dante” – (In: “Studies” Summer/Autumn – Issue 1965).

Dublin, The Educational Company of Ireland / The Talbot Press, 1912 – 1969. Octavo. 53 Issues plus Index, with different amounts of pages and content. Overall c. 2800 pages. Original Softcover. Very good condition with some issues with some stronger signs of wear but the majority of issues in firm and excellent condition. Some of the issues with annotations and some with a former library-stamp. Very rare run of this periodicals which invited contributions from other women writers like Mary M. Macken, Pamela Reilly, Helen Landreth, Eleanor Knott, Ethna Kavanagh, Lorna Reynolds, etc.

5. Ayearst, Morley.

The Republic of Ireland – Its Government and Politics – Collection of 215 books on Irish Politics, Irish Government, Irish local planning and Local government, Irelands connection to the EU, History of Irish Elections, books on Governmental policy (general and irish related), books on the history of Ireland’s connection to the UK etc. Also included are several publications on the history of the irish political parties. The comprehensive collection comes from the library of a former council man and university lecturer and includes many of the minor and major publications needed to understand the forming of the irish state from 1940 onwards. The collection includes publications like: 1. John McG. Smyth – The Theory and Practice of the Irish Senate / 2. John Coakley and Michael Gallagher – Politics in the Republic of Ireland / 3. Desmond Roche – Local Government in Ireland / 4. Patrick Keatinge – Maastricht and Ireland – What the Treaty means / 5. Stephen Collins – The Power Game – Fianna Fail since Lemass / 6. Cornelius O’Leary – Irish Elections (1918 – 1977) – Parties, Voters and Proportional Representation / 7. Bruce Arnold – What Kind of Country – Modern Irish Politics 1968-1983 / 8. Michael Flannery – Sanitation – Conservation and Recreation Services in Ireland / 9. Peter Mair – The Changing Irish Party System / 10. R.C.Geary – and F.S.O Muircheartaigh – Equalization of Opportunity in Ireland – Statistical Aspects / 11. Mary Minihan – A Deal with the Devil – The Green Party in Government / 12. Donal de Buitleir – Problems of Irish Local Finance / 13. Communications and Community in Ireland (Brian Farrell) / etc. etc.

London, University of London Press, 1971. 24 cm. vii,241 pages with 8 plates. Original Hardcover with original dustjacket. Very good condition with only minor signs of external wear. The collection of 215 books (of which only c.60 are listed here) is in very good condition (only a few volumes with stronger wear).

6. [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.

7. [William Westropp Roberts – Mathematician Trinity College Dublin 1870] – Mill, John Stuart / [Provenance: William Roberts, Trinity College Mathematician, being W.R.W. Roberts (1850-1935), son of Mathematician Michael Roberts from Carrigaline, County Cork].

A System of Logic – Ratiocinative and Inductive. Being a Connected View of the Principles of Evidence and the Methods of Scientific Investigation.

Seventh Edition. In Two Volumes (Complete Set). London, Longmans, Green, Reader and Dyer, 1868. Octavo. Volume: XVIII, 541 pages / Volume II: XV, 555 pages. Hardcover / Original, absolutely stunning Trinity College Dublin Prize-Binding with the University Signet in gilt to all four boards (see images). Very good condition with only minor signs of wear. Provenance: “William Roberts” Mathematician with two price-labels from Trinity college stating: “Ingenuo magnaeque spei Adolsecenti Guilielmo Roberts Schol. [William Roberts, scholar] propter insignies in Mathematicis. Progressus in Classe secunda Praemium hoc Literarium. Primi Ordinis dederunt Praepositus et Socii Seniores Collegii Sacrosanctae et Individuar Trinitatis juxta. Dublin, Examinatione habita initio Termini S. Michaelis, A.D.1870.” [Translates: “A young and promising young man, William Roberts, [William Roberts, scholar] for his distinctions in Mathematics. Progressed in the second Class, this Literary Prize. First Order, given by the Provost and Senior Fellows of the College of the Holy and Individual Trinity, near Dublin, Examination held at the beginning of the Term of St. Michael, A.D. 1870.”]. With several text-markings and manuscript – annotations by Roberts.

8. [Thom, Alexander] / [Famine Year / Famine Year Almanac].

Thom`s Irish Almanac & Official Directory for the Year 1845 [including “Peerage of Ireland with alphabetical Index”].

First Edition. Dublin, Alexander Thoma, 1845. Octavo (13 cm x 18.5 cm). VIII, 906 pages. Original Hardcover (Publisher’s blindstamped cloth with gilt lettering and ornament to spine). Very good and firm condition with some minor signs of wear only. This is one of the most important and rarest sources for Statistics in Ireland in 1845 and one year prior of The Great Famine [Gorta Mór / Irish Potato Famine].

9. [Rees-Mogg, William / Cholwell House] [Lever, Charles].

Arthur O’Leary – His Wanderings and Ponderings in Many Lands. Edited by his friend, Harry Lorrequer and Illustrated by George Cruikshank. [William Rees-Mogg’s personal copy from his library at Cholwell House and with his armorial Bookplate / Exlibris to pastedown].

New Edition. London, Henry Colburn, 1845. Octavo. Frontispiece-Portrait of Arthur O’Leary, 364 pages with ten illustrations by Cruikshank (including the Frontispiece). Hardcover / Original 19th century half leather with two spine-labels, professionally rebacked and restored by a professional bookbindery. Original pastedowns retained with the original bookbindery-label of C.T.Jefferies & Sons from Bristol. Some of the Cruikshank-plates very good, some with strong foxing (as usual). The text fresh and clean. After the restoration, this Volume is now in excellent condition with some minor signs of wear only.

10. [Maynooth / Colehill – County Longford] – Handcock, Reverend William / Handcock, Robert Ball.

Two Manuscript Notebooks of Reverend William Handcock and his son, Robert Ball Handcock. The Notebook of William Handcock is titled: “Letters & Addresses on various subjects by Revd. William Handcock” and are of special interest since he had the habit of transcribing in it complete letters he sent and received from noteworthy people in Ireland during the Famine – years 1842 (February) – 1854. These letters are often meaningful appeals to newspapers, church administrators or clergymen like William Baillie Kirkpatrick (1802 – 1882), Irish Peers (e.g. William Trench, 3rd Earl of Clancarty) etc./ The Manuscript Notebook of William’s son, Robert Ball Handscock, was started in June of 1846 (in Maynooth) and is simply a manuscript scrapbook with poetry and stories of favourite poets of the time (including an Index).

Maynooth / Radanstown (Meath) / Cole Hill (Longford) etc., 1841-1854. Octavo. 181 pages [Diary of William Handcock] / 140 pages plus 4 pages of Index [Diary of Robert Ball Handcock]. Hardcover / Original 19th century half-leather with paper-covered boards. Very good condition with only minor signs of wear.