Fonsie Mealy Auctioneers

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A fine quality and rare Irish Georgian (George II period) silver bullet Teapot, the hinged circular lid with mermaids engraved, with a wooden circular top, and shaped handle, the body with attractive etched motif with three mast ships, hallmarked John Williamson, Dublin 1736, approx. 14cms (5 1/2") high, approx. 22 ounces. (1)
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
Fine Original Portrait Photos of The O'Brien Ladies by Margaret Cameron Two black and white Photos, each 8'' x 10'' (20cms x 26cms), both stamped ''The Cameron Studio, 70 Mortimer St., Regent Street.'' The portraits offered here are of two of the daughters of Edward William O'Brien (1837 - 1909) of Cahirmoyle, Co. Limerick - Mary, the daughter of his first wife Mary Spring Rice (and sister of the artist Dermod O'Brien) and Katherine (Kitty), the daughter of his second wife Julia Garth Marshall (and sister of the yachtsman Conor O'Brien). In one photo, Mary is holding Katherine; in the other, the child is on her knee. As photographs, w.a.f. (2) * Julia Margaret Cameron (1815-1879) is regarded as one of the most important portrait photographers of the 19th Century. Having taken up photography at the age of 48 after receiving a camera by her daughter as a Christmas present. During a short but productive career, she produced an impressive output of over 900 photographs. Both during her lifetime and later, her close-up portraits of famous men received much praise, while her softer-focus portraits of women were less favoured, and her allegorical subjects, often featuring children, were not taken seriously. In recent times, following the publication in 1948 of her first modern biography by Helmut Gernsheim, her reputation has become firmly established.
Christmas Rare Books & Collectors' Sale
10th December 2020 from 10:30am
Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny
Very Rare First U.K. Edition with Yellow Paper Band Herbert (Frank) Dune 8vo London (Victor Gollancz Ltd.) 1966. First Edn., hf. title, a little discolouration on fore-edges, with orig. black dust wrapper with white silhouette, somewhat bubbled at joints, and with the extremely rare yellow wrap-around with quotation from Arthur C. Clarke. An extremely good copy. (1) * A science fiction classic
Christmas Rare Books & Collectors' Sale
9th December 2020 from 10:30am
Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny
Coloured Plates: Megaw (Elektra) illus., Meikle (D.) text, Wild Flowers of Cyprus, folio, L. (Phillimore and Co. Ltd.) 1973, full page illus., full green leather, gilt lettered spine. Good copy. (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
Sir Peter Lely & Studio of Sir Peter Lely (1618 - 1680)"Portrait of James Butler, the First Duke of Ormonde 1610 - 1688," O.O.C., a fine quality oversized full length Portrait of the Duke in the Order of the Garter Robes in a regal interior standing by a column with stick in hand, approx. 286cms x 132cms (89" x 52") in a later shell decorated gilt frame and printed gilt plaque.Provenance: Earls of Shrewsbury, Ingestre, Staffordshire; Sotheby's London 28th April 1971, Lot 14; with Gaye Macklin Antiques, Motcomb St. London; American Private Collection; Freeman's of Philadelphia USA 12 April 2005 Lot 9; Irish Private Collection.Note: The Auctioneers can certify that after careful comparison we conclude that this was that advertised in the Connoisseur in 1971, and that it was thus in turn formerly in the collection of the Earls of Shrewsbury, at Ingestre, a Jacobean house in Staffordshire. The picture was recorded at Ingestre in 1955, and was sold subsequently at Sotheby's London on 28th April 1971 lot 14 (Kneller). The dimensions are given as 20" x 52".The picture is one of six full-length versions. What is considered to be the prime version by Lely, that at Kilkenny Castle, shows Ormonde with his hat in his right hand. This is followed in three versions, at Cirencester Park, at the Hirsel, and at Douglas Castle. Lely then appears to have slightly altered the composition, placing the hat in Ormonde's left hand. What seems to be an autograph, inscribed version of this composition was formerly at Panshanger Park, Hertforshire, in the collection of Lady Desbrough, from whose estate it was sold at Christie's in 1953, in which year Penshanger was demolished. [This] picture appears to be the studio replica of the Penshanger picture.It appears to be in notably good state and ranks along the most successful of his aristocratic portrait designs, both managing and presenting the complex garter robes to great Baroque effect.
10th October 2018 from 10am
Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny
1954 Railway Cup - Leinster WinnersMedal: G.A.A., Football, a 9ct gold cross shaped Medal with pierced decoration, the obverse with central football, each point with enamel design Provincial arms, inscribed around edge "Inter-Provincial F'ball C'ship 1954', the reverse inscribed "Cuige Laighean" hall marked. (1)* Croke Park saw a record crowd of 49,023 spectators see Leinster claim the Football & Hurling Double in the Railway Cup
10th July 2018 from 10am
Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny
Extremely Fine Copy of Fantasy ClassicTolkien (J.R.R.) The Hobbit, or There and Back Again, 8vo L. (George Allen & Unwin Ltd. Museum Street) 1937, First Edn. hf. title, frontis & 9 plts. (complete), map end papers, over leaf page at end, decorated green cloth with black lettering and design. Original pictorial dust jacket. Fine copy (some tears no loss), with original amended "Dodg(e)son" on back flap, Hammond A3q - 1,500 copies sold out of this original print run (3 months after publication). Excessively Rare, particularly in this condition. (1)
2nd May 2018 from 10am
Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny
An elegant and important round brilliant cut Solitaire, 4.53ct, 10.7mm diamond Ring with fluorescence, set in platinum 950, 7g tw, (hall marked Birmingham), approx. size L 1/2.Provenance: Private Northern Irish Collection.
7th March 2018 from 10am
Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny
Extremely Fine Large Hand-Coloured Geological MapIrish Map: A General Map of Ireland to accompany the Report of the Railway Commissioners showing the Principal Physical Features and Geological Structure of that Country, Constructed in 1836 and Engraved in 1837-8. Published Dublin (Hodges Smith) & London. Made up of 6 sections now laid on linen, approx. 182cms x 152cms (72" x 60"), signed by Larcom, the entire in finely executed hand colouring, mounted on a contemporary wooden roller with brass wheels. As a map, w.a.f. A very good example. (1)
5th December 2017 from 10am
Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny
A large chalk "Bust of J.K.L." [Most Rev. Dr. James Doyle, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin,] on a circular base, approx. 76cms (30") high. (1)
14th November 2017 from 10am
Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny
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