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1974-5: Portrait of Gusty Spence painted in Long Kesh by George
Morrow
Acrylic on board portrait of Spence in uniform painted by self taught
and well respected artist George Morrow. Signed lower right “Long Kesh”
24 x 18in. (60.96 x 45.72cm)
€400-€600 (£333-£500 approx)
409
1975 (12 July) Gusty Spence Long Kesh visitors permit issued to
Merlyn Rees
Maze Prison visitors card issued to Merlyn Rees while serving as
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland at his address at Stormont
allowing him along with Stanley Orme, Minister of State for Northern
Ireland, and Donald Concannon, Under-Secretary of State for Northern
Ireland, to visit Gusty Spence. A scarce and interesting piece of ephemera
relating to what must have been a most intriguing meeting. 4 x 6in.
(10.16 x 15.24cm)
€100-€150 (£83-£125 approx)
410
1976: ‘Gusty’ Spence Long Kesh Irish language book
An Sloinnteoir Gaeilge agus an tAinmneoir by Muiris Ó Droighneáin,
80pp, 2nd edition. With notation on title page “A.A. Spence L/K 1976”
Book with translations of names and surnames from Irish to English and
English to Irish. An interesting insight into the literature that Gusty had
whilst in Long Kesh. Spence and some other Loyalist prisoners attended
Irish language courses, including some taught by Frank McArt,
(Proinnsias MacAirt) well known IRA man, and were proud of their
Fáinne Nua badges. Naturally Spence was particularly interested in the
Ulster dialect. 7 x 5in. (17.78 x 12.70cm)
€100-€150 (£83-£125 approx)
411
1980-1982: Cardinal Tomás Ó Fíaich cards to Gusty Spence with Maze
censor stamps
Two Archdiocese of Armagh Christmas cards sent from Tomás Ó Fíaich to
Gusty Spence. One with signed and with a note in the hand of Ó Fíaich
“... hoping it will be your last one away from home” Both with Maze
Prison censor markings.
€150-€250 (£125-£208 approx)
412
1980 (December) Card from Cardinal Ó Fíaich to Spence after the
disclosure of their meetings and correspondence
Diocese of Armagh Christmas card signed and with manuscript note by
Cardinal Tomás Ó Fíaich relating to the fact that he had disclosed the
details of their correspondence and discussions to an RTÉ radio
interviewer who “had got the wind of our meeting...”. The details of Ó
Finish’s interview was published in a number of newspapers on 22
December 1980 including, The Irish Times and Irish Press
4.25 x 6in. (10.80 x 15.24cm)
€150-€250 (£125-£208 approx)
413
1994 (13 October) Combined Loyalist Military Command ceasefire
statement signed by ‘Gusty’ Spence
An important piece of historical ephemera. The printed statement read
by Spence in October 1994 at Fernhill House announcing the cessation
of hostilities by the Combined Loyalist Military Command (Ulster
Defence Association, Ulster Volunteer Force and Red Hand Commandos)
from midnight 13 October 1994. Possibly the most famous section of
this speech is the compassionate apology which Spence extended “In all
sincerity, we offer to the loved ones of all innocent victims over the past
twenty five years, abject and true remorse. No amount of our words will
compensate for the intolerable suffering they have undergone during
conflict.” Signed below “Augustus Andrew Spence”. A pivotal moment in
the peace process. 12 x 8.50in. (30.48 x 21.59cm)
€800-€1,000 (£667-£833 approx)
414
1994: Gusty Spence American visit collection including passport, visa,
letters etc.
Collection of items relating to the 1994 visit of Spence to the United
States of America. Including 1985 British Passport joint passport of
Spence and his wife Louie complete with United States visa noting that
Spence is “not to engage in direct or indirect fundraising”. Also with
photographs of the visit, letters from Jerry Dunfey, President of the New
England Circle, William J. Flynn of New York stating that Spence “played
a key role in the peace process... I am proud to call you a friend” and
John Fitzpatrick, Senior Vice President of Fitzpatrick Hotels. A historically
interesting collection of items relating to an important period in the
peace process and at the time of the declaration of a loyalist ceasefire’.
€200-€300 (£167-£250 approx)
415
1996 (19 February) John Major letter to Gusty Spence written ten
days after Canary Wharf bombing “...I shall stand firm for the Union”
Signed letter sent to Spence by John Major on Downing Street headed
paper and marked “In confidence”. Sent just ten days after the 1996
Docklands bombing carried out by the Provisional Irish Republican Army.
Its contents thanks Spence and the Progressive Unionist Party for their
maturity and restraint and that “...despite the provocation of the
bombings in the capital, I shall stand firm for the Union and shall not
succumb to pressure from whatever source, of that, you can be
assured...” 12 x 8.25in. (30.48 x 20.96cm)
€200-€300 (£167-£250 approx)
416
1996 (6 January) General John de Chastelain letter to Gusty Spence
Signed letter sent by General de Chastelain to Spence, thanking his for a
Christmas card and stating “let me wish you and your colleagues in the
PUP much success in the coming year as you continue your invaluable
work to maintain the peace... I have enjoyed working with you and your
colleagues... and look forward to continuing that work”. A unique piece
of correspondence between two of the most important figures in the
peace process. 11 x 8.25in. (27.94 x 20.96cm)
€100-€150 (£83-£125 approx)
417
1998: Good Friday Agreement cover sheet with signatures of all
present at the talks
Large single page sheet with Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom
and “The Belfast Agreement: An Agreement Reached at the Multi-Party
Talks on Northern Ireland”. With the signatures of all those present at the
talks including Tony Blair, Mo Mowlam, Bertie Ahern, John Hume, Gerry
Adams, David Trimble, Martin McGuinness, Seamus Mallon, David Ervine,
George J. Mitchell, Bríd Rodgers, Mitchel McLaughlin, Gusty Spence, Liz
O’Donnell, Winston Churchill Rea, David Andrews, Billy Hutchinson, Joe
Hendron, Monica McWilliams etc. A truly remarkable document, probably
unique, which Spence, understanding the momentous importance of the
occasion, had the foresight to collect. 16.50 x 12in. (41.91 x 30.48cm)
€3,000-€5,000 (£2,500-£4,167 approx)
418
2000: ‘Gusty’ Spence original artwork calendar for UVF and RHC Old
Comrades Association
“The Millennium Calendar” designed and produced by Spence for the
UVF and Red Hand Commando Old Comrades Association. Comprising of
complete set of proofs and finished printed calendars. Six complete
calendars and set of proofs 12 x 9in. (30.48 x 22.86cm)
€100-€150 (£83-£125 approx)