Whyte’s offers court uniforms of Oscar Wilde prosecutor Sir Edward Carson
Ceremonial uniforms of Sir Edward Carson as Solicitor General of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, estimate $75,000-$105,000. Image courtesy LiveAuctioneers.com and Whyte’s.
Edward Carson, famous for his prosecution of Oscar Wilde and for his leadership of the Irish Unionists, was appointed Solicitor General by Queen Victoria in 1900, and these uniforms were his official court dress. Included in this lot are the official documents of appointment and both morning and evening wear uniforms along with specially made shoes and hat, as well as silk stockings.
The uniforms were inherited by Lord Carson’s second wife Ruby, who auctioned them in the 1970s. A Belfast collector has had them since. Most of the rest of Carson’s personal memorabilia was sold to Dr. Ian Paisley. He is believed also to have been offered the uniforms at the time but couldn’t fit them in his car and regrets to this day not having gone back for them.
There is great interest in Northern Ireland in these heirlooms of Ulster Unionism’s greatest hero, and both Dr. Ian Paisley, First Minister, and his son Ian Paisley Jr. are anxious that they come back to a public collection in the province. On the other hand there are wealthy collectors in the Republic of Ireland who might want this distinguished Dubliner’s relics.
The sale features a collection of other scarce items from Unionist history, including two flags from the first parade of the Ulster Volunteer Force in 1912, which are expected to make $3,000-$4,500. There are also several photographs, posters, medals and militaria from the Anti Home Rule Movement from the 1890s to the 1920s.
The rest of this fascinating sale is an eclectic mix of historical and literary manuscripts, printed ephemera, militaria and memorabilia. Fans of the Irish television series The Tudors might like to see a vellum manuscript signed in 1557 by an implacable enemy of King Henry VIII and his daughter Queen Elizabeth I – Pope Paul the Fourth (Giovanni Pietro Carafa, 1476-1557), who was a zealous proponent of the Inquisition and supporter of Queen Mary. This beautifully handwritten 550-year-old document is an appointment of a cardinal by the Pope and bears his signature and seal and the signatures of 28 cardinals. It is expected to fetch $7,500-$10,000.
A fantastic discovery of immense Irish academic and musical interest is a book of original lyrics and music in the hand of Ireland’s greatest lyricist, Thomas Moore (1779-1852). Comprising 176 pages, mainly in the composer’s own hand, this amazing manuscript, now valued at $15,000-$22,500, was found in a job lot of antiquarian books in Wiltshire, England, near where Moore ended his days. Perhaps it will now find its way to an Irish institution for the benefit of scholars of this great Irishman.
For further information on any lot in this sale, call Whyte’s in Dublin at 011-35-31-676-2888 or e-mail iw@whytes.ie. View the fully illustrated catalog and sign up to bid absentee or live via the Internet at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.
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ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
One of many hand-written manuscripts in a bound volume of original manuscripts of lyrics and music by Thomas Moore (1779-1852), estimate $15,000-$22,500. Image courtesy LiveAuctioneers.com and Whyte’s.
Two flags from the first parade of the Ulster Volunteer Force of 1912, estimate $3,000-$4,500. Image courtesy LiveAuctioneers.com and Whyte’s.
Pope Paul IV (1476-1559) signed manuscript appointing a cardinal, estimate $7,500-$10,000. Image courtesy LiveAuctioneers.com and Whyte’s.
