Purcell Auctioneers: Book Auction of c. 580 Lots to include Antiquarian Books incl. Books from Three Private Libraries, Rare - Signed - Limited Editions, Local Histories, Republican Interest Books, GAA etc, 51326, Birr

Auction Details

Auction Report
Auction Date
May 13, 2026 - May 13, 2026
Page Size: 556 items in 23 pages
Auction Lot Books
Lot Number Author Name Book Title Place Printed Year Published Estimate Actual Price
150 Frank Gallagher; Mitchell; O’Snodaigh; Padraic H. Pearse; F. X. Martin; Corish

Days of Fear; Irish political Documents 1916-1949; The Works of Padraic H. Pearse. St. Enda’s and its Founder; The Irish Volunteers 1913-1915; Radical, Rebels and Establishments

1928 GBP 50.00 - 80.00 GBP 37.50
151 Brendan Jennings; Dickson

The Four Masters. Michael O’Cleirigh and his Associates; The Life of Michael O’Dwyer with some account of his companions; In the Days of Owen Roe. Great Catholic Rebellio

1936; 1944 GBP 50.00 - 80.00 GBP 81.25
152 Ewan Butler; Kieran Sheedy; Laurence J. Kettle; Desmond Murphy

Barry’s Flying Column; Upon the Mercy of Government; Material for Victory. The Memoirs of Andrew J. Kettle; With the I.R.A. in the fight for freedom 1919 to the future; Derry, Donegal and Modern Ulster 1790 – 1921

1971; 1988; 1958; 1950; 1981 GBP 60.00 - 80.00 Not Sold
153 Robert Mitchell Henry; I.O.

The Evolution of Sinn Fein; The Administration of Ireland 1920; Official Report. Debate on the Treaty Between Great Britain and Ireland, 1921 plus 2 others

undated; undated; 1921 GBP 40.00 - 80.00 GBP 87.50
154 Rev Patrick S. Deneen; Rev Patrick S. Deneen; James Carney; Padraig O Riain; Rev. P. Power

Focloir Gaedhilge agus Bearla; A Smaller Irish-English Dictionary for the use of Schools; The Poems of Blathmac Son of Cu Breyyan together with The Irish Gospel of Thomas and A Poem on the Virgin Mary; Beatha Bharra, Saint Finbarr of Cork; Life of St. Dec

1927; 1917 GBP 60.00 - 80.00 GBP 112.50
155

Lamhleabhar, Druille Coise – Gach Armsheag

1956 GBP 40.00 - 60.00 Not Sold
156 Terence O'Hanlon

An Brannar; An Sioladoir; The Minstrel of Erinn; Inis Fail

1919; 1919; 1919; 1920; 1920; 1925; 1925; 1925; 1925; 1920; 1930; 1928; 1929 GBP 150.00 - 200.00 GBP 150.00
157 L. Mc Cionnaith

Focloir Bearla/Gaeilge

1935 GBP 50.00 - 80.00 GBP 62.50
158 Padraic O Conaire; Maurice O'Sullivan; Mairtin O Direain; Liam Inglis; Seamus O hEochadha; Donnchadh O Liathain

Bairbre Ruad. Drama Ein-gnioma; Fiche Bliain Ag Fas; O MORNA AGUS DANTA EILE; Irish Writing, Gaelic Writers Special Issue; Cois na Bride; You may revive the Irish Language; Sceulta Mhicil Ui Mhuirgheasa ó'n Rinn; Abair Amran; Tomas O Flannghaile; Toruidh

Beal Feirste 1929; 1957; 1956; 1937; 1923; 1954; 1940; 1939 GBP 40.00 - 60.00 GBP 50.00
159 Daithi O’hOgain; Daithi O’hOgain

The Hero in Irish Folklore; Bealoideas 2011; An File. Filiochta sa Traidisiun Gaelach le Daithi O’hOgain

1985; 2011; c. 1970 GBP 50.00 - 80.00 GBP 62.50
160 Eamon De Valera

Bunreacht na hEireann. [constitution of Ireland]

1937 GBP 80.00 - 140.00 GBP 325.00
161 Douglas Hyde

Abrain Grada Cuige Connact; Michael Doyle - The Insurgent Captain of the Wicklow Mountains

1931 GBP 40.00 - 60.00 GBP 81.25
162 Douglas Hyde

Leabhar Sgeulaigeachta

1889 GBP 150.00 - 200.00 Not Sold
163 Tomas O Criomhthain; Colm O Labhra; Eoghan O Tuairisv; Douglac Hyde

N Books, including: AntOileanach

1973; 1955; 1964; 1903; 1859 GBP 40.00 - 80.00 GBP 62.50
164 Michael Hartnett; Mairtin O Direain; Sean O Curraoin; Louis De Paor; Cathal O Searcaigh; Michal Ozim; Gabriel Rosenstock; Micheal O Siadhail

N Books, including: O BRUADAIR

1985; 1992; 1985; 1992; 2005; 1991; 1983; 1980; 1978 GBP 40.00 - 60.00 GBP 62.50
165 Maire; Una Ni Mhaoileoin; Brian O Cuiv; Miceal O Maolain; Rev. M. Sheehan; Padraic Mac Piarais; Liam O’Flaithearta

N Books, including: Cioth is Dealan

N/A GBP 40.00 - 60.00 Not Sold
166 Donncha O Sulleabhain; Fionn Mac Chmhaill; Mairtin O Cadhain; Cyril O Ceirin; Eibhlin Bean Mhic Choisdealbha; Tomas O Cinneide; Nollaig Mac Congail; Art Mac Gregoir; Padraic Mac Piarais

N Books, including: Na Timiri

1990; 1997; 1969; 1973; 1990; 1938; 1936; 1952 GBP 40.00 - 60.00 GBP 37.50
167 Douglas Hyde

An Sgeuluidhe Gaedhealach. Sgealtsa as Connachta; Abhrain ata leagtha ar an Reachtuire or Songs ascribed to Raftery; Mise agus an Connradh

Beal Atha Cliath 1931; 1903; 1931 GBP 50.00 - 80.00 GBP 50.00
168 Wm Wenman Seward

Topographica Hibernica or The Topography of Ireland, ancient and modern, giving a complete view of the Civil and Ecclesiastical State of that Kingdom

Dublin 1795 GBP 150.00 - 200.00 GBP 450.00
169 Eugene O’Curry

Lectures on The Ancient Irish Manuscript Materials of Ancient Irish History

Dublin 1861 GBP 50.00 - 100.00 GBP 93.75
170

A Concise View of the Origin, Constitution and Proceedings of the Honourable Society of the Govenor of London of the New Plantation in Ulster, within the realm of Ireland, commonly called The Irish Society

1842 GBP 50.00 - 100.00 Not Sold
171 Antonia McManus; S J Connolly; R J Dickson; Patricj M Geoghegan; F S L Lyons

N Books, including: The Irish Hedge School and its Books 1695-1831

2002; 1992; 1966; 2002; 1890-1910 GBP 50.00 - 80.00 GBP 81.25
172 Keogh & McCarthy

The Making of the Irish Constitution 1937

2007 GBP 40.00 - 60.00 GBP 100.00
173 Robert Lloyd Praeger; Sharon Gmelch; Pat Langan; George Gmelch

The Way That I Went- An Irishman in Ireland; Tinkers and Travellers

1937; 1976 GBP 40.00 - 80.00 Not Sold
174 Eugene O’Curry

Manners and Customs of the Ancient Irish

1873 GBP 120.00 - 160.00 GBP 250.00
  • Sotheby’s
    Shelf Life: Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper from the Library of Stanley J. Seeger and Christopher Cone
    25 June – July 7
    Sotheby’s, July 7: Ludwig van Beethoven. Autograph sketches for the overture "Die Weihe des Hauses", op.124, [1822], UNPUBLISHED. £150,000 to £200,000.
    Sotheby’s, July 7: Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice, 1813, first edition, 3 volumes, contemporary half calf. £50,000 to £70,000.
    Sotheby’s, July 7: Walt Whitman. Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, 1855, first edition, first issue, original green cloth, the Doheny copy. £50,000 to £70,000.
    Sotheby’s, July 7: Binding—Sangorski & Sutcliffe—Omar Khayyam. Rubaiyat, London, 1872, third edition, in a magnificent jewelled Peacock binding. £15,000 to £20,000.
    Sotheby’s, July 7: George Eliot. Middlemarch, Edinburgh and London, 1871, first edition in the original parts. £20,000 to £30,000.
  • Forum Auctions
    The Private Library:
    Fine Printing & Private Press books, the collection of the late David Chambers
    July 9, 2026
    Forum, July 9: Hassall (Joan) A large collection of over 300 original woodblocks of engravings for various books, v.d., with Hassall's engraver's glass water-globe (Qty) - Est. £10,000-15,000
    Forum, July 9: Eragny Press.- [Bradley (Katherine Harris) & Edith Emma Cooper], "Michael Field." Whym Chow, Flame of Love, one of only 27 copies, inscribed by Bradley, the rarest book from the press, 1914. - Est. £3,000-4,000
    Forum, July 9: [Moore (Thomas Sturge)] [Wood Engravings], 71 wood-engravings printed by David Chambers from the original blocks, the only set on Japanese Hosho paper, from an edition of 5 sets, [1970]. - Est. £3,000-4,000
    Forum Auctions
    The Private Library:
    Fine Printing & Private Press books, the collection of the late David Chambers
    July 9, 2026
    Forum, July 9: La Fontaine (Jean de) Contes et Nouvelles en vers, 2 vol., engraved plates after Eisen, fine early 19th century blue morocco, gilt, by Bradel l'ainé, Amsterdam [Paris], 1762. - Est. £2,000-3,000
    Forum, July 9: Erotica.- Prostitution.- Pretty Women of Paris (The); Their Names and Addresses, Qualities and Faults..., [Paris], privately printed at the Press of the Prefecture de Police, 1883. - Est. £3,000-4,000
    Forum, July 9: Vale Press.- Ricketts (Charles) & Lucien Pissarro. De la Typographie et de l'Harmonie de la Page Imprimée…, [one of 216 copies], bound in dark blue morocco tooled in gilt, by Sarah T.Prideaux, 1898. - Est. £1,000-1,500
    Forum Auctions
    The Private Library:
    Fine Printing & Private Press books, the collection of the late David Chambers
    July 9, 2026
    Forum, July 9: Martin (John) Illustrations of the Bible, complete set of 20 mezzotints, good impressions, rarely found in early states, [c.1831-1835]. - Est. £1,000-1,500
    Forum, July 9: Golden Cockerel Press.- Four Gospels of the Lord Jesus Christ (The), one of 500 copies, Mary Gill's copy, Waltham St. Lawrence, 1931 with a signed proof of engraving on japon numbered 10/10 (2) - Est. £5,000-7,000
    Forum, July 9: Boccaccio (Giovanni) The Decameron, 3 vol., vol.1 extra-illustrated by John Buckland Wright with c.150 erotic original drawings in pen & ink and pencil, 1886 [extra-illustrated c.1940]. - Est. £10,000-15,000
    Forum Auctions
    The Private Library:
    Fine Printing & Private Press books, the collection of the late David Chambers
    July 9, 2026
    Forum, July 9: Cox (Morris) Collection of Gogmagog Press Books, 35 vol., rare complete collection of printed books issued by the press, limited editions, most signed by Cox, 1957-83. - Est. £10,000-15,000
    Forum, July 9: Wynkyn de Worde.- [Terentius Afer (Publius)] [Comedie...], [Paris, Josse Badius: sold in London by Wynkyn de Worde, & others], [15 July 1504]. - Est. £4,000-6,000
    Forum, July 9: Mosley (James) Ornamented Types. Twenty-Three Alphabets from the Foundry of Louis John Pouchée, 2 vol., one of 10 copies for presentation, from an edition of 210, 1992-93. - Est. £1,000-2,000
  • Forum Auctions
    The 10th Anniversary Sale
    Fine Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper
    July 16, 2026
    Forum, July 16: Inundation papyrus. P.Michael 4, the ‘Inundation papyrus’, a geographical account of the Nile near Canopus, in Greek, remains of two columns from a manuscript scroll on papyrus, Egypt, second century CE. £12,000-18,000
    Forum, July 16: Book of Hours, use of Sarum, manuscript on vellum, 6 full-page miniatures, with famous Middle English inscriptions, Southern Netherlands for the English market, [c.1430]. £30,000-50,000
    Forum, July 16: Qu'ran, Arabic manuscript on burnished, stencilled, and gold-flecked paper, 447ff., Sultanate Gujarat, Ahmadabad, [after 1411 but no later than 1442]. £15,000-20,000
    Forum Auctions
    The 10th Anniversary Sale
    Fine Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper
    July 16, 2026
    Forum, July 16: Turner (William). A New boke of the natures and properties of all wines that are commonly vsed here in England, rare first edition of the first English book on wine, By William Seres, 1568. £20,000-£30,000
    Forum, July 16: Spenser (Edmund). The Faerie Queene. first edition, Printed [by John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, 1590. £30,000-40,000
    Forum, July 16: Shakespeare (William). The Comedie of Errors, extracted from the first folio, Isaac Jaggard and Edward Blount, 1623. £15,000-20,000
    Forum Auctions
    The 10th Anniversary Sale
    Fine Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper
    July 16, 2026
    Forum, July 16: Fleming (Ian). Casino Royale, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author, 1953. £40,000-60,000
    Forum, July 16: d'Agoty (Jacques-Fabien Gautier). Anatomie de la Tête, first edition, Paris, chez le Sieur Gautier, 1748. £10,000-15,000
    Forum, July 16: Martial Arts.- Lee (Bruce). 'Praying Mantis style' Kung Fu book, containing numerous annotations, diagrams and graphs in Bruce Lee's hand, c. 1960. £50,000-70,000
    Forum Auctions
    The 10th Anniversary Sale
    Fine Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper
    July 16, 2026
    Forum, July 16: Warre (Capt. Henry James). Sketches in North America and the Oregon Territory, first edition, rare hand-coloured issue, 1848. £30,000-40,000
    Forum, July 16: Norie (John William). The Marine Atlas, or Seaman's Complete Pilot for all the principal places in the known world..., 1826. £30,000-50,000
    Forum, July 16: Mao Tse-tung.- Kim Il-sung.-[Note book for visitors from China to Korea], signed by Mao and Kim, [Beijing, 1954]. £10,000-15,000