Fonsie Mealy Auctioneers

Past Auctions

72 Auctions
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23rd September 2021 from 10:30am
Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny
22nd September 2021 from 10:30am
Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny
Howth Castle, Howth, Co. Dublin
9th September 2021 from 10:30am
Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny
Howth Castle, Howth, Co. Dublin
8th September 2021 from 10:30am
Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny
Eamon O'Doherty, Irish (1939 - 2011)
Contents of Osberstown House, Naas, Co. Kildare, Ireland.
27th July 2021 from 10:30am
Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny
Kyffin Williams, (1918 - 2006)
18th May 2021 from 10:30am
Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny
Kerry V. Roscommon, 1944
The Collectors' Sale.
3rd March 2021 from 10:30am
Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny
The Masterpiece of Modernism Joyce (James) Ulysses, 4to Paris (Shakespeare & Co.) 1922, First Edn., No. 285 of 750 copies on handmade paper, original blue paper wrappers bound in, (lacks spine), uncut, blue cloth, gilt lettered spine, internally clean. [Slocum and Cahoon A17] (1) THE EARLIEST ISSUE OF ARGUABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT AND INFLUENTIAL NOVEL OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY. The total edition was limited to 1,000 copies of which 100 were numbered and signed on Dutch handmade paper, 150 numbered and printed on vergé d'Arches and the remaining 750 were numbered. The official date of publication for Ulysses was Joyce's birthday, 2 February 1922, but difficulties with the cover meant that in fact only two copies, both from the 1/750 issue, were actually ready that day. No further copies of any issue of Ulysses appeared from Darantière until 9 February (when a further batch of the 1/750 arrived), followed by the first copies of the 1/100 on 13 February, and the 1/50 series on 4 March. It is now thought that this reflects the order in which Ulysses was actually printed. This copy is recorded in Sylvia Beach's Ulysses notebook for Irish Bookshop, subscribing on February 11th (see Glenn Horowitz Bookseller, James Joyce - Books & Manuscripts, New York, 1996, p. 123). Provenance: Private Irish Collector by Descent to the present Vendor.
Christmas Rare Books & Collectors' Sale
10th December 2020 from 10:30am
Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny
With Magnificent Hand Coloured Plates [Bivort (A.) & Debabay (L.S.J.) & others] Annales de Pomologie, 8 vols. complete, folio Brussels 1853 - 1861. First Edn., 389 hand coloured plates, orig. cloth backed printed boards as issued. V. good set. (8)
Christmas Rare Books & Collectors' Sale
9th December 2020 from 10:30am
Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny
G. de Roose - 18th Century Flemish"Mercury Resting," O.O.C., depicting Mercury talking to a Cherub with another semi-nude Lady, in a romantic landscape,." Signed lower left, approx. 64cms x 74cms (25" x 29") in contemporary gilt frame. (1)
28th September 2020 from 10am
Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny
Co. Wicklow Interest: Walsh (Rev. W.J.) Evidence Given in the Case of O'Keeffe V. M'Donald at the Wicklow Summer Assizes 1875, 8vo D. (McGlashan & Gill) 1875, First, 71pps., contemp. hf. leather, buckram boards. Clean copy. Scarce. (1)
15th July 2020 from 10am
Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny
The Incredible Leonard McGrath Galway Dual Star G.A.A. Medal Collection An important and unique collection of All-Ireland Medals, Provincial Medals and other related material relating to Leonard Mc Grath, to include: (a) A 9ct gold shield shaped and pierced Medal with cross hurls on the obverse inscribed "Erins Hope" the reverse inscribed "Jun. H. League 1917"; (b) A 9ct gold circular Medal, the obverse with engraved Provincial Arms (Connaught) and Shamrocks, the reverse inscribed "Connacht Senior Finals Championships 1922, won by Galway (c) A 9ct gold All-Ireland Winners Medal Celtic Cross with pierced decoration, central harp and Eire across, the reverse inscribed "All Ireland Hurling Championship 1923, won by Galway - Leonard McGrath," hallmarked. ú Having been perennial whipping boys for years, the Tribesmen came of age, they beat Kilkenny in the Leinster Final 5-4 to 2-0, Galway claimed their first title with a resounding 7-4 to 4-5 victory over Limerick. (d) A circular 9ct gold Medal with pierced and engraved design, the obverse with shield of Connaught Coat of Arms and inscribed "Connradh Connacht," the reverse inscribed "Senior Football Championship 1925, won by Galway," hallmarked. (e) A 9ct gold All-Ireland winners Medal, Celtic Cross with central shield shaped harp and Eire across the centre, the reverse inscribed "All Ireland Football Championship 1925, won by Galway ( L. Mc Grath) hallmarked. ú Galway played Mayo in the Final in Tuam, in front of a crowd of 16,000. The result was a score line of 1-5 to 1-3, in a championship that saw both Cavan and Kerry expelled due to ineligible players. This however brought All-Ireland glory to Galway for the first time. (f) A shield shaped 9ct gold Medal the obverse engraved with Provincial Coat of Arms for all provinces the centre with raised football design, the reverse inscribed "Inter Provincial Football Competition 1925 - Won by Galway" hallmarked. * This match was arranged to generate funds for the lost Revenue for the G.A.A. due to the unsettled championship of 1925. It was known as the Replacement All-Ireland. (g) A 9ct gold circular Medal, the obverse with side profile of a Queen, and inscribed "An Bainriogan Tailte," the reverse "Aonach Tailteann - Baile Atha Cliath 1924 - Football L.J. McG (Leonard Mc Grath) hallmarked. ú This was the first of this revival Irish Sporting and Cultural Festival which was an International event. It also ran in 1928 and 1932, before its abrupt ending. (h) A circular silver gilt Medal, the obverse depicting a Rugby scene with figures, the reverse "I.R.F.U." C.B. (Connaught Branch) Senior League 1926 - 27, hallmarked. ú The 1926/1927 Championship saw Galwegians beat U.C.G. 3-0. This was their second title of 4 in a row. (i) An engraved and pierced Celtic Cross design silver Medal, inscribed "Feis Breand in Naomhra, Baile Ioca Riach (Ballinasloe) 1925, hallmarked (j) A Celtic Cross design silver Medal, inscribed "Feis Bhreandaina Beal a Atha na Shiaigh 1926, hall marked (Faller, Galway) (k) A bronze circular Medal "Sligo Feis Ceoil" decorated with typical motifs (uninscribed). (l) An attractive silver cross shaped pierced and engraved Medal with centre shield shaped Relief inscribed "L.Mc.G", the reverse inscribed 'S.M.L.C. 2 Years', hallmarked. (m) A large bundle of Musical Scores including 'The Rose of Tralee'; 'Down by the Sally Gardens'; 'The Green Hills of Ireland', and many more; mostly inscribed by Leonard McGrath. Used during his competitions at various singing events and Feis Ceoils. Leonard McGrath was born in Charters Towers, Queensland, Australia. As a young boy he returned to his parent's native land and was reared in Galway. He qualified as a teacher in 1918 at St. Patrick's College. In 1922 he came to the fore and was a member of the Galway Senior Hurling XV, winning a Connaught title. He was subsequently chosen and starred at full forward to win Galway's first Hurling All Ireland. He showed his versatility in sports by also been chosen to represent his adopted county in football and played on the winning 1925 team, which also was the county's first title in Football. He became the county's first dual star, and only player to achieve success in both codes. McGrath is a member of an elite group of only 16 players to achieve this accolade, in the G.A.A.'s long history. He also played rugby and was a member of the winning Galwegians team beating U.C.G. 3-0 in the 1926-27 Season. This brought with it a caveat, he was duly expelled from the G.A.A. for playing a 'Foreign Sport'. Off the field he was a highly regarded singer and participated in many Feis Ceoils, and other singing competitions. He excelled in Golf and Cricket. A true all-rounder on and off the field, a forgotten member of Irish sport. A Unique Collection. Provenance: By direct Family descent. (1)
5th May 2020 from 10am
Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny
Harry Clarke StudiosRichard King (1907 - 1974)& Harry Clarke (1889 - 1931)"The Wooing of Emer by Cuchulainn," stained glass panel depicting an elegant Lady with colourful purple ground and highlighted dress and similarly decorated headpiece, with male figure kneeling in Celtic Warrior Attire, in an arched formal setting with trees in distance and two male figures lurking nearby, approx. 114cms h x 38cms w (45" x 15") Custom made box frame. (1)

314

26th November 2019 from 10am
Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny
Gilbert Holiday (1879 - 1937)"The Hunt at Woolwich Drag," O.O.C., with Brigadier Boylan M.F.H., leading the field, atmospheric busy hunting scene with hounds and figures on horseback in a vast landscape," approx. 51cms x 76cms (20" x 30") signed lower right in initials, in ornate gilt frame. (1)* Commissioned and Presented to Retiring Commander of the Riding Troop Brigadier Boylan. The Riding Troop is now known as The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery.
1st October 2019 from 10am
Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny
An important and fine pair of early 19th Century Coaching Pistols, by Bird & Ashmore of London, both with double barrels, engraved mechanism and trigger guard, both with mahogany handles and with consecutive West Cork Registration marks WC3051 & WC3052, in original mahogany cases, with powder flask and bullet mould. (2)

312

23rd July 2019 from 10am
Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny
Joyce's Supreme AchievementCornerstone of any Irish CollectionNo. 30 of 100 Signed Copies on Handmade PaperJoyce (James). Ulysses. Shakespeare and Company, Paris 1922, First Edition, No. 30 of 100 copies Signed by Joyce and printed on fine Dutch handmade paper, from the full edition of 1000. Slocum & Cohoon 17. Finely bound by Buddenbrooks of Boston in full patinated black morocco with dark green inlays and an attractive geometric design in gilt and blind to upper and lower covers, continuing through spine and on reverse, spine titled in gilt, leather hinges, dark green silk endpapers, original blue paper covers bound in. Paper covers a little worn, neatly reinforced around reverse edges, upper cover lacking a tiny portion at lower inner corner, a few outer corners creased in prelims, some lower page corners slightly bruised. A few pages carelessly opened (e.g. 121-128), very slight edge-staining not affecting text around p. 273 and in a few other places, green crayon mark bottom of p. 105 well outside text, a few other marks, very light pencil marks in text p. 692-3 and 711-20 (Molly Bloom's soliloquy, apparently pause marks to facilitate a reading), but generally a splendid and impressive copy which has been read and minded with the greatest care.Unquestionably the most influential literary work of the 20th century, Joyce's supreme achievement, the first, best and by far the most desirable printing, copies of which are now all but unobtainable. Of the original 100 copies, the great majority are now securely lodged in institutional and other important collections from which they are unlikely to emerge.'... and I thought as well him as another and then I asked him with my eyes to ask again yes and then he asked me would I yes to say yes my mountain flower and first I put my arms around him yes and drew him down to me so he could feel my breasts all perfume yes and his heart was going like mad and yes I said yes I will Yes.'Provenance: From a very distinguished Irish collection. Laid in is a contemporary newscutting announcing first publication of the work, the 100 signed copies priced at 350 francs each - the bargain of the century! With a copy of the bookdealer Glenn Horowitz' census of the first 1000 copies, where this copy [no. 30] is listed to a Mrs. Donovan, Private Collection, then in the original wrappers.
18th June 2019 from 10am
Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny
A 19th Century Moroccan brass decorated Tray on folding pierced decorated stand; together with another similar brass Tray. (3)
16th April 2019 from 10am
Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny
An exquisite 3 stone diamond Ring, by Lunns of Belfast, with 2.93ct fancy intense yellow centre stone (VS2) flanked by two radiant cut diamonds, each 1ct, one D colour and clarity VS2, the second E colour and SI1 clarity, all set in a platinum and yellow gold mount. (1)* With Letter of Authenticity and other Documentation. Ring Size J
5th March 2019 from 10am
Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny
Contemporary Manuscript Eyewitness Account of The Fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks in 1453Manuscript: Slim volume comprising 12 folios (24pp) of neat 15th Century script on Vellum, in a 19th Century (French) binding of pink silk on boards The text comprises an eyewitness account of the siege of Constantinople by the Ottoman Turks and its capture on 9 May 1453.This volume was written by Leonard of Chios and the colophon is dated at Chios, 16 August 1453, less than three months after the fall of the city.Leonard was a native of Chios, an island off the Anatolian coast which was at that time under Genoese rule. He became a Dominican friar, was renowned for his scholarship, and was appointed Archbishop of Mytilene on the island of Lesbos. In 1452 he accompanied Cardinal Isidore of Kiev to Constantinople to take part in negotiations for a union between the Catholic and Greek Orthodox Churches.They arrived in the city at a critical time: the heavily fortified capital of the greatly diminished Byzantine Empire, weakened by years of warfare, plague and depopulation, had become the target of a new, young Ottoman ruler, Mehmet II, determined to capture the city and make it the capital of his empire. The defenders were greatly outnumbered by the besiegers, whose numbers Leonard estimated (with considerable exaggeration) at 300,000 fighting men and over 200 ships, and were poorly equipped. Support from western Christendom was half-hearted and came too late, the most useful contingent being 700 Genoese and Chians commanded by Leonard's countryman Giovanni Giustiniani.The Emperor, Constantine XI, relied for success on a huge floating chain which was laid across the mouth of the Golden Horn to prevent the Ottoman fleet entering the harbour, and on the strength of the city's walls, which were perhaps the strongest in existence. Mehmet, however, ordered the construction of a road of greased logs which enabled the Turks to drag their ships over the hill and into the harbour, bypassing the chain. Moreover, their cannon were more numerous and more powerful than those of the defenders; in particular those of their Hungarian engineer Orban, who constructed a huge cannon, the Basilika, 27 feet long, dragged into position by 60 Oxen and 400 men, which could hurl a 600 pound stone ball over a mile. (It did, however, have disadvantages: it took three hours to reload, and according to Leonard it tended to collapse under its own recoil).The defenders were too few in number to man all the fortifications. Leonard was stationed on the Blachernae walls in the north-west part of the city, which were older and weaker and were soon damaged by cannon fire. In the end there was no resisting the sheer weight of Turkish numbers: Constantinople was captured by a frontal assault in which the besiegers suffered heavy casualties; Constantine and Giustiniani were killed in the fighting, panic ensued, and the city was given over to plunder.Leonard and Cardinal Isidore were taken prisoner, but they were soon released, and Leonard managed to make his way back to Chios, where he wrote his narrative and sent it to the Pope. Written in Latin, it is hostile both to the Byzantines and to the Venetians and favours his own overlords, the Genoese. To this day, it remains a basic source of information for this major event in world history. Little is known about his later years. Modern scholarship suggests that he returned to Italy to campaign for a Christian alliance against the Ottomans, and died there in about 1458.The fall of this final remnant of the Roman Empire dealt a massive blow to Christendom, leaving the way open for a Muslim invasion of eastern Europe. The capture of a mighty walled city by powerful cannon proved a turning-point in military history. For many years it was regarded as the principal trigger of the Renaissance, and while more recent interpretations are less simplistic, its impact on the course of European history is undeniable.Leonard's narrative was published in 1544; a second version under the name of Godefridus Langus appeared in 1594. Lord Stuart de Rothesay, collector and amateur historian, British Ambassador to Paris in 1815 - 1824 and 1828 - 1830, acquired the manuscripts of both versions, and had them transcribed and compared by the French scholar Jean-Baptiste L'Ecuy (1740 - 1834), and published in a limited edition (now extremely rare) of only sixty copies, to be distributed among friends. This is the manuscript of Leonard's narrative: a note in French tipped-in at the front of, presumably written by L'Ecuy prior to publication, points to the difference between the two versions of "le MSS de M. l'Ambassadeur d'Angleterre."As a m/ss., w.a.f. * An extraordinary re-discovery. (1)
4th December 2018 from 10am
Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny
A pair of Victorian oak Hall Chairs, by Jas. Schoolbred & Co., each with open brass pierced gallery backs over swept arms with brass mounts, on front sabre legs. (2)
20th November 2018 from 10am
Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny
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