DUBLIN.- The first 144 lots in
Whyte's Eclectic collector comprise approximately 5,000 picture postcards, mainly Irish, and the vast majority from a collection formed by Peter Holder, a Dublin-based film producer and director and a founder member of The Irish Film Guild. Peter started the collection for the purpose of illustrating period scenes in Ireland for film productions. Many were postally used, which was Peter’s preference for dating purposes. Most are from the period 1900 to 1920 but some good and scarce images from the 1930s to 1960s can also be found in the lots. Estimates range from €60 to €300 per lot, with the cards averaging €2 to €5 each.
The coins of three empires Rome, Britain and America
The contents of a small mahogany coin cabinet, about the size of a biscuit tin, initially valued at €5,000, proved to be worth in excess of €15,000 when examined by Whyte’s numismatic expert. The coins are predominantly from Ancient Rome, Britain and America. The collection makes up 51 of the 100 lots of coins in Whyte’s Eclectic Collector auction. Estimates range from €80 to €3,000. The cabinet is being offered with a mixture of coins as lot 251. The lot includes approximately 150 Roman Republic and Imperial denarii. Estimate €2,000-€3,000.
Celebrity Dolls
Madame Augusta Montanari created a stir in the 1851 Great Exhibition with her poured wax dolls. Montanari specialised in producing large-scale portrait dolls which were likenesses of real people, dressed for specific occasions. Her subjects included the children of Queen Victoria and other Royals.
Contemporary English doll-maker Paul Crees follows in Montanari’s footsteps, also using iconic public figures as subjects for his poured wax dolls. Paul Crees studied stage design at drama college he designed sets and costumes for the Royal Shakespeare Company and Glyndeboume, amongst many others. Crees is regarded as a master of the poured wax doll and produces maximum editions of 50 pieces, though most editions are smaller and some, such as the Maria Callas doll, lot 489, are one-offs. His series of dolls portraying Princess Diana depict her at defining moments in her life.
The Eclectic Collector auction by Whyte & Sons, Dublin on 13th June has three such dolls of Diana each measuring 27in (69cm) high. Lot 486, the Diana “Wedding” doll, number 2 in an edition of 10, dressed in a replica of the famous Emmanuelle dress, with 8-foot (244cm) long train, is estimated at €2,000-€2,500.
The two other dolls of Diana also portray her at defining moments in her life. Lot 487 is the 1998 prototype wax doll by Paul Crees of Diana Spencer in the Elizabeth Emanuel black taffeta gown she wore on her first public appearance as Prince Charles' fiancé is expected to fetch €1,000-€1,500 and lot 488 is Diana Spencer in the "Revenge" dress by Christina Stambolian she wore on the same day her ex-husband, Prince Charles admitted to marital infidelities is likewise expected to make €1,000-€1,500.
Sportsmanship before the days of ‘Hawkeye’
One struggles to imagine it today: a team makes it to the All-Ireland final, the referee awards the match to the opposition but later publically admits a mistake, that it should have been a draw; and the ‘losing’ team chooses not to contest the result.
It really happened
Lot 368 is a medal presented to a member of Pierce O'Mahony's club from Navan for the 1895 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final, played on 15 March 1896, the first final to be played in Jones’ Road (later Croke Park) and also Meath's first appearance in a final. Tipperary Club Champions, Arravale Rovers, won by 0-4 to 0-3, albeit in controversial circumstances. Dublin referee, J. J. Kenny afterwards admitted that he had made a mistake in awarding a point to Arravale and the result of the game was in fact a draw. The match was over and the result declared but the referee wrote to the Central Council and to national newspapers pointing out his error. Despite this, Pierce O'Mahony's announced they would not seek a replay and were happy to have the result stand and an All Ireland “Virtual Championship” winners medal was presented to the members of the club who played that day. The match is commemorated by a plaque on the Hogan Stand at Croke Park. Also with this medal is a Leinster Football Championship 1895 gold and enamel medal. These medals are extremely rare. Estimate €5,000-€7,000.
Rugby Legends
The sports section of the Eclectic Collector auction includes a very impressive collection of autographs of a who’s who of Irish rugby from the past 70 years. The collector began hunting down the players back in the days when cotton jerseys were still de-rigueur on the field and he managed to get one signed by 38 former and current international rugby players. They include Jack Kyle, Mike Gibson, Willie John McBride, Fergus Slattery, Ciaran Fitzgerald, Ray McLoughlin, Brian O'Driscoll & Johnny Sexton. Lot 378, estimate €300-€500.
Beatles and the Stones
Among the 65 lots of Rock, Pop and Cinema memorabilia in Whytes Eclectic Collector auction is a collection of memorabilia associated with the two great rival bands of the 1960s and 1970s, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.
Top of the Beatles lots is 415, a The "Four Aces" tour programme from the band’s 1964 UK tour, signed in black ball point pen to the cover: "John Lennon", Ringo Starr", "George Harrison" and “Paul McCartney". also signed " Paul McCartney" and "Ringo Starr" to page 4. Estimate €4,500-€5,000.
Among the Rolling Stones memorabilia is their Sticky Fingers album, in its naughty zip sleeve designed by Andy Warhol and printed inside with his signature. Lot 458 is signed in red felt-tip pen by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Mick Taylor and Charlie Watts. Estimate €400-€500.
And for James Bond fans…
The “Thunderball” British quad poster is among the most sought after of Bond posters, lot 410, is a very fine example, estimate €2,000-€3,000.
Lots 426 – 529 are First Editions of Ian Fleming’s James Bond novels, Goldfinger, The Spy Who Loved Me, On her Majesty’s Secret Service and You Only Live Twice, estimates range €200-€500.
Lot 482 sees Guinness giving Bond an Irish twist, a very rare James Bond Guinness poster celebrating the appearance of Guinness in “The Man With the Golden Gun”, estimate €100-€150.
And finally…
Warhol’s “Candle Soup” can
Andy Warhol’s famous Campbell soup images inspired lot 530, a Candles Condensed Wax (With Added Wick) Soup can; containing, one assumes, a candle. Warhol signed the label of this can in felt-tip pen: "Andy - Warhol - London - 197?". It perhaps proves his statement “Art is what you can get away with”. Estimate €500-€700.
