WEXFORD TREASURES AT AUCTION
A NUMBER of rare Wexford items will go under the hammer at a rare book and collector’s sale in Kilkenny.
The auction which is being run by Fonzie Mealy Auctioneers will take place in the Ormonde Hotel, Kilkenny on May 2.
The most expensive item up for auction is described by Mr Mealy as ‘a unique book’ which has a guide price of between €1,500 and €2,000. This bound illuminated Co Wexford address by the Right Honourable James George Henry Stopford, Earl of Courtown, from the Property Defence Association of Ireland dating back to April 19, 1900. It is signed by Farnham (chairman and Rosse (vice Chairman) and features five colourful and Celtic design pages with the Earl of Courtown’s arms.
Also up for auction is a pamphlet with an estimated value of between €150 and €200. This is the correct report of the charge of Judge Fletcher to the Grand Jury of the County of Wexford at the Summer Assizes, in 1814 and described as scarce.
The third item is an extremely rare 1905 GAA challenge match medal with a guide price of between €300 and €400. This is described as ‘an attractive and unusual cross shaped and pierced silver medal. The obverse comes with the provincial arms or crest with heavy central harp overlay, surmounted by a football while the reverse is inscribed ‘G.A.A. - Wexford V. Cork, June 1905, won by Lees’.’ The medal is hallmarked Egan of Cork. Also going under the hammer is the book ‘History of the Town and County of Wexford’ by Philip Herbert Hore. This has a guide price of between €700 and €900. Featuring six volumes which are all first editions and profusely illustrated with maps and plans the books are described as rare and while they have some wear are in good condition. A scarce copy of the famous Wexford duel trial is also on offer with a guide price of between €200 and €300. This is an impartial report of the trial of William Congreve Alcock and Henry Derenzy Esqrs. for the murder of John Colclough, Esq. at Wexford Assizes, on March 20, 1808. It also comes an address to the public by Thomas McCord, Esq. This first edition also comes with a correct report of the charge delivered on March 28, 1808 by The Hon. Baron Smith. Alcock was charged with killing the late John Colclough in a duel while Derenzy is charged with aiding and abetting him.
An index to the townland survey of the County of Wexford dating back to 1907 is also for sale with a guide price of between €800 and €1,200. This second edition is a cloth boards presented as an atlas.
A report of the trial of the Rev. John Carroll and five of his parishioners for murder is also going under the hammer with a guide price of between €160 and €240. Fr Carroll was the Roman Catholic Curate of Killinick and he along with five of his parishioners were charged with murder. The trial details the particulars of the murder Of Catherine Sinnott, a child Under four years of age, by the Rev. John Carroll, under the pretence of performing a miracle by casting devils out of the child, which took place at Killinick on July 9, 1824.
The book is described by Mr Mealy as being in very good condition. He also said it is a rare find. There are also a number of hurling pro-