Ireland-The Proclamation of Independence of the Irish Republic.

half sheet of the original  proclamation of Independence of the Irish Republic (text from "The Irish Republic'' to "...Joseph Plunkett."), text size 292 x 462 mm, paper size 436 x 497mm, printed in a variety of founts on a single sheet, torn and chipped with the loss of a few letters, somewhat browned and discoloured [together with:] "Irish Volunteers. Dublin Brigade. Company Mobilisation Order", printed in black and red, asking for "Arms and Full Supply of Ammunition to be Carried", unused, size 84 x 136mm.; both items framed and glazed



A very rare half sheet of the original document, printed at Liberty Hall, Dublin, on Easter Sunday 1916, marking the beginning of the "Easter Rising" and effectively inaugurating modern Irish history which ultimately led to the foundation of the Irish Free State. Although 2,500 were intended to be produced only around 1,000 were actually printed; and of these, the vast majority were destroyed in the storming of Liberty Hall and the chaotic events in the surrounding streets.  This is one of the rarer half sheets containing the second section of the Proclamation (the document was printed in two halves, with the type being re-set: see further note on sothebys.com), which is the portion which was in the press when British soldiers arrived in the Hall on 27 April 1916. "Copies of this half-print are very rare but one such copy is in the Kilmainham Gaol Museum"  (John O'Connor, The 1916 Proclamation).  we are aware of only five other copies (all but one held in institutions)



The full text of the Proclamation was read from the steps of the General Post Office, Sackville (now O'Connell) Street, Dublin, on Easter Monday, 24 April 1916, by Pádraig Pearse, who, with Thomas J. Clarke, Seán Mac Diarmada, Thomas MacDonagh, Eamonn Ceannt, James Connolly and Joseph Plunkett, the instigators of the Rising, were the signers of the Proclamation. All signatories were executed within a week by the British government, following a swift repression of the rebellion.

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The original manuscript, which did not survive the Rising, was handed to Connolly by MacDonagh at the meeting of the Military Council at Liberty Hall, Dublin on Easter Sunday morning.

Three men, Christopher Brady, the printer, and two compositors, Michael Molloy and Liam O'Brien, handled the printing. According to Bouch, these men were kept under virtual arrest by Connolly, in case the Hall were stormed by the British, in order it might be seen that the three men were working under duress.

In such straitened times, the quality of the printing and paper was not paramount, and the three workers had to improvise to print off the required 2,500 copies. In fact, because of shortage of paper, it would seem that only 1000 were printed on the somewhat dilapidated ``Wharfdale Double-Crown'' press operated by Brady. The surviving copies show that Brady had difficulties in ensuring an even coverage of the ink and this resulted in a good deal of smudging and in some examples (though not in the present) faint printing.

The printing press was not the only problem. There was insufficient type for the whole document and a number of different (and in some cases inappropriate) founts had to be used. It was run through the presses twice: the text from "Poblacht'' to "among the nations'' (end of the third paragraph) was printed first. The type was then broken up and reset for the second half of the document ("The Irish Republic'' to "...Joseph Plunkett.''). The second section was in the press when it was found by the British soldiers on 27 April 1916. Some examples were printed by the British and used as evidence against the conspirators. The finished documents were strung up around the centre of Dublin on Easter Monday. One was held in place by stones at the foot of Nelson's Column where it might be read by the passing populace.

It can be imagined that many of these broadsides were destroyed or torn down during the violent events of Easter week 1916 and the document passed into history as a moving symbol of those terrible days. Such was its fame and importance that it was reprinted soon after and efforts were made to produce a replica incorporating the typographical idiosyncrasies of the original produced under such difficult circumstances. In 1935 Joseph Bouch attempted to collate the bibliographical evidence to ascertain the original printing. He established six main points which characterise the first issue: size and quality of paper; the styles of typography; measurement of the length of line; differences in spelling and typographical inexactitudes (or idiosyncracies).

As with the American Declaration of Independence, the Irish Proclamation is of literary worth as well as historical interest. Pearse himself was a poet and writer and the text mingles lofty, deftly expressed idealism with Christian Socialist principles. In its emphasis on freedom of the individual, and equal rights and opportunities for all, the document is a twentieth-century expression of its American predecessor. However, the whole text also referred to the assistance of the "gallant allies in Europe". This reference to Germany, with whom of course Britain was then at war, meant that the British were compelled to stamp out the rebellion at their back door. This they did, and with considerable brutality. In less than one week the rebellion was at an end and by the following week, Pearse and his fellow signers had all been executed. Connolly was shot seated, being unable to stand because of his wounds.

Literature:
J.J. Bouch, `The Republican Proclamation of Easter Monday, 1916', The Bibliographical Society of Ireland (Dublin, 1936, reprinted, 1954)
Brennan-Whitmore, Dublin Burning (Dublin, 1996)
M. Caulfield, The Easter Rebellion (Dublin, 1963; reissued, 1995)
Thomas M.Coffey, Agony at Easter (London, 1970); N.Grant, The Easter Rising (London, 1972