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

65 History THE ECLECTIC COLLECTOR · 25 & 26 JULY 2020 91 Michael Davitt signed letter concerning publication of Within the Pale, The True Story of Anti-Semitic Persecutions in Russia 1903 (9 July) letter from his home in Dalkey, Co. Dublin, apparently to his publishing agent, confirming that he had sent the final instalment of the book to his American publisher, O.S. Barnes and his London publisher, Hurst & Blackett. pp4, octavo. Also with this lot a slip with Horace Plunkett’s autograph and three news cuttings. Condition: Very good, Plunkett pasted down to album page, Davitt with slight adhesions on reverse. Estimate €200-€300 (approx £180-£270) Click here for more images and to bid on this lot 91 92 1883-2004. Primrose League medals and badges. (5) Gilt and enamel medallions with ribbons (2), pinback enamel badges (3), made by Lewis, Birmingham. Condition: Fine. The Primrose League was established in 1883 by Lord Randolph Churchill and John Gorst in the wake of the Conservative Party’s loss to Gladstone in the 1880 election and after the death of Benjamin Disraeli in 1881. Disraeli had been the hero of Popular Conservatism and had actually done much to expand the franchise to working class men in the cities in particular. The Primrose League would try to reach out to these new voters using innovative campaigning and imaginative social opportunities. The reason that the Primrose was chosen as an emblem was because it was purported to be Disraeli’s favourite flower and it was already being worn by Conservative Party members on the anniversaries of his death. The League was more a social club by its centenary in 1983 and was finally absorbed into the Conservative Party in 2004. Interestingly the current Conservative Party is emulating the policies of The Primrose League in attracting working class voters. Estimate €80-€100 (approx £70-£90) Click here for more images and to bid on this lot 92