A fascinating selection of rare books, Boer War medals and a first edition of a local book will be on offer at a Spring Rare Book & Collectors’ Timed Auction at Fonsie Mealy Auctioneers, Castlecomer on April 24.
William Nolan was the author of the truly local offering: Fassadinin: Land, Settlement and Society in Southeast Ireland 1600 – 1850.
Rare and Antiquarian Books will include the residue from the Library of the Late Dr Philip Murray, Sligo and select items from other private clients.
Nolan’s book has illustrations throughout and also up for grabs will be Kilkenny History and Society (Geography Publications).
The first item is a presentation copy to local academic and historian, Tom Lyng, with many of his notes used for compiling ‘Castlecomer Connections.
The Boer War (1890 – 1902) medals should attract countrywide interest.
There is a set of four miniature Army-issued medals with original bars for Transvaal, South Africa 1901 and 1902 and ribbons, joined, as a set.
A rare Three Candles Publication from Fishguard and Rosslare Railways and Harbours is a souvenir programme for a visit of the directors… for inspection of the Irish portion of their undertaking from May 28 to 31, 1938.
There are illustrations throughout of Irish scenes and a mock up copy of same with original pencil sketches.
For those with a particular interest in photography there is a collection of over 120 large pictures of Ireland, some original, some modern copies of Lawrence, some aerial views, Armagh, Antrim, Donegal, Dublin, Wicklow, Galway, Limerick, Cork, Cavan and Sligo.
There are many press samples, including one album as a collection.
The sale is live for bidding up until 11am on Wednesday, April 24. There will be approximately 700 lots on offer.
Included are modern English and Irish First Editions, Signed and limited copies, periodicals, history, travel, science, science, pamphlets, ephemera, maps and boxed lots.
The auction rooms are in Chatsworth Street in the North Kilkenny town and in-person viewing is available.
