WHYTE'S THE ECLECTIC COLLECTOR SATURDAY & SUNDAY 25 & 26 July 2020

115 History THE ECLECTIC COLLECTOR · 25 & 26 JULY 2020 187 1916 (6 October) letter from Ernest Blythe in Reading Gaol to John Ashe. In Blythe’s hand in ink and in Irish on prison stationery, to John Ashe, brother of Thomas, Lispole. A rare letter from Blythe during the Rising period. 2pp Family of Thomas Ashe; Private collection. Condition: Fair, heavy folds, slightly soiled, edge tears. Ernest Blythe (Earnán de Blaghd) 1889-1975) was a Protestant from County Antrim, who became an enthusiastic and fluent Irish speaker and republican, a member of the IRB from 1909, and surprisingly a journalist for a Unionist newspaper and an Orangeman at the same time - possibly as a spy for the IRB. He was regularly imprisoned during The War of Independence from 1916 to 1921. He was Sinn Fein MP for North Monaghan from 1918 to 1922 and Cuman na Gael TD for Monaghan from 1922 to 1933. Later he was managing director of the Abbey Theatre, Minister for Finance from 1923 to 1932, Minister for Posts and Telegraphs and Vice-President of the Executive Council from 1927 to 1932 and Minister for Local Government from 1922 to 1923. Estimate €200-€300 (approx £180-£270) Click here for more images and to bid on this lot 187 188 1916 (13 December) letter fromThomas Ashe to his sister Nora from Lewes Gaol. Written in Ashe’s hand on prison paper, with interesting insight into his mind at the time, after his transfer from Dartmoor. He gives detailed instructions on how several people can write in one four page foolscap letter in order to get around the regulations. This enabled some of Ashe’s close political associates to write to him under cover of a letter from his sister. 2pp. Family of Thomas Ashe; Private collection Condition: Very good, toned folds. Estimate €200-€300 (approx £180-£270) Click here for more images and to bid on this lot 188 189 1916 (December?) letter fromThomas Ashe in Dartmoor to his sister Nora. In Ashe’s hand on prison paper in ink. Mentions that his teaching days are over - he has been replaced as Principal of Corduff School. Seeks newsy letters. 1pp. Family of Thomas Ashe; Private collection. Condition: Very good, toned folds. Estimate €150-€200 (approx £140-£180) Click here for more images and to bid on this lot 189