Last of the Yeats family collection goes to auction
A W.B. Yeats poem thought to be unpublished is among a significant tranche of personal items from the Yeats family going up for auction next week.
The Yeats Family Collection - The Final Chapter includes paintings, letters and personal memorabilia from three generations of the family: W.B.’s grandmother, mother, his sisters Lily and Lolly and wife Georgina.
Some of the notable items being offered next Tuesday 14 th November include one of only two known signed and compiled sketchbooks to exist from W.B. Yeats’ time in Art College in Dublin (1884-85).
A rare and unobtainable original fine ink sketch by John B. Yeats, reproduced in W.B.’s first separate publication ‘Mosada’. The drawing is characteristic of J.B. Yeats at his very best, bringing out his 20-year-old son’s vulnerability as well as his determination.
Other significant items of memorabilia include a photograph of Maud Gonne, from W.B.’s collection, a pair of W.B.’s spectacles, dozens of portrait drawings from W.B. Yeats, a draft telegram and RDS badges of the poet and his wife Georgina.
Personal effects from the women of the Yeats family also feature strongly; watercolours by the poet’s grandmother Elizabeth Pollexfen from Sligo, two fine embroidered panels by his sister Lily Yeats, watercolours by Elizabeth Corbet Yeats (‘Lolly’) and watercolour landscape by his mother Susan Pollexfen.
Family silver, bureau bookcase, grandfather clock and musical instruments are also for sale.
The auction takes place at Fonsie Mealy’s Chatsworth Salerooms, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny.