46
62
Paul Henry
KEEL VILLAGE,
oil on canvas
signed lower le
18 by 20in. (45.
Provenance:
Private collecti
Adam’s, 28 May
Whence purcha
Exhibited:
‘Paintings by M
Russell (AE), Lei
Literature:
Kennedy, S.B.,
P
London, 2007, c
In original Waddi
The form of the si
signify that this c
August 1911.The
seen from the hig
the middle distan
moderate impast
painting at this ti
blues and greys t
influence that wo
foreground, is ch
composition of t
is larger, althoug
excitement at his
Dr SB Kennedy
February 2013
!
50,000-
!
70,0
WHYTES
SINCE 1783
,
113
1846-47: Famine period Lucan Petty Sessions unique manuscript trial ledgers
A pair of historically important and complete manuscript Petty Sessions ledgers for
Lucan. The first ledger dealing with 1846 (32pp), starting on 6 January and finishing on
22 December, the second for 1847 (29pp), covering from 5 January to 22 December.
Information provided comprises of defendantʼs name, defendantʼs residence, complaint,
witnesses sworn and adjucation. Many interesting cases including that of Matthew
Shanly and Luke Moran of Woodfarm and Newtown Clark respectively who were
convicted of “stealing potatoes on the night of 11 March 1846 near Palmerstown, the
property of the Earl of Donoughmore” and sentenced to 14 days in Gaol after being
unable to pay a fine. Other examples include cases of trespassing, assault, breach of
peace, drunkeness, threatening behaviour and more unusual incidents such as “being
stripped and fighting on the public street of Lucan”, “being in illegal possesion of a
salmon”, “forcably detaining a spinning wheel” and 17 men and women brought before
the court for “trespassing on the complainints land... and dancing thereon”. A
fascinating collection of documents, invaluable to local, social and legal historians. 9.50
x 14in. (24.13 x 35.56cm)
€1,500-€2,500 (£1,310-£2,190 approx)
115
circa 1847-48: Famine period French satirical cartoon by 'Cham'
Original pencil drawing by French satirist ʻChamʼ (1818-79) or Noé CharlesAmédée-
Henry de, comte. This drawing depicts the French encouraging to the Irish to rise up
again against the English as they had done in 1798 – however the Irish population is
near starvation as a result of the famine. The caption reads “ Voici un fusil de munition,
commencez !" (Here is a musket – letʼs start [a rebellion]) “Je prefere commencer par le
pain de munition" (I would prefer to start with a loaf of bread)
€200-€300 (£170-£260 approx)
116
circa 1858: Rosewood writing slope presented to James H. Swanton for his work
during the famine
A remarkable rosewood writing slope by Austin of St Andrews Street, Dublin. Brass
cartouche on the lid inscribed “Presented to James H. Swanton Esqr. as a mark of
regard and esteem from Doctors Donovan, Somerville & Hadden” All three doctors
were practising in and around Skibereen, County Cork during the Great Famine of 1846
to 1849 and were among the first to realise the scale and magnitude of the disaster
which became known as The Great Irish Famine. Dr. Donovan, in a moment of
desperation, wrote to The Times of London bringing to the notice of the world the
terrible famine conditions then prevailing in Skibereen; West Cork and all over Ireland
between 1846 and 1849. James H(utchinson) Swanton was a substantial landowner of
6000 acres with his home at Rineen, Skibereen. He also had a residence at Carisbrook
House, Pembroke Road, Dublin. He provided as much help and sustenance to these
Doctors as was possible and this writing slope was presented by them as a mark of
regard and esteem in the immediate aftermath of the famine. He provided many
buildings which were used as ancillary workhouses of which there were twenty in
Skibbereen. One of these buildings featured in various famine correspondence as
Swantonʼs Stores where the destitute were given shelter in a work house like
environment. Swantonʼs Store was situated at Levisʼ Quay, Skibbereen. A.G.Stark who
visited Skibbereen towards the end of the famine tells us in his report: “I did not visit
any of the poorhouses; indeed, the shrill sound of female voices that reached my ears
as I passed Swantonʼs Store-as if nothing reigned within, except discord and pain-
rendered the invitation to enter anything but desirable.” This presentation piece
demonstrates a remarkable example of an ascendancy landlordʼs attempt to help his
fellow countrymen.
€3,000-€4,000 (£2,620-£3,500 approx)
