WHYTE'S THE ECLECTIC COLLECTOR 13 MAY 2023

140 History 261 1922 (November). Execution of Robert Erskine Childers: Documents a handwritten letter by Childers seeking a priest. This collection comprises: (1) “Iris an Airm” (The Army Bulletin) 2 pages, dated 14 November 1922 including details of the arrest of Erskine Childers and David Robinson at Annamoe House, Roundwood, on November 10. (2) 20 November Oglaígh na hÉireann, Eastern District Command headed notepaper typed and manuscript letter confirming Childers conviction by a military court of being in possession of an “automatic pistol”“without proper authority” and sentence of death, and transferring him to the custody of Commandant P O’Connor at Beggars Bush Barracks, signed D. Hogan, Commandant General, GOC Eastern Command, (3) a handwritten letter “I wish to see Father Albert, who is a Catholic clergyman or in the next place Dr Brown, also a Catholic. If I cannot see either of these I would like to see the Dean of Kildare” Signed “G. Childers” (Undated); (4) Office of the Adjutant General, Portobello Barracks headed manuscript letter to Comdt. O’Connor, signed “Gearoid O’Suilleavain”Major General “The Dean of Kildare will get every facility to administer spiritually to Mr Childers”. Note: It is believed that the authorities suspected that Childers, a Protestant, asked for particular Catholic priests because they were sympathisers with Anti-Treaty forces and he might pass information to them. The mention of “spiritually” (which is clearly added in as an afterthought by General O’Sulleavain) in the letter is a veiled instruction to O’Connor to see that no messages were passed to the Dean. (5) a handwritten note dated 23 November 1922 on the headed notepaper of The Office of Adjutant General to Comdt. O’Connor to have Erskine Childers brought under escort to Kilmainham Prison to consult his solicitor, “Mr O Huadhaigh”. Signed by G. O’Suilleavan Adjutant General, with a postscript “Handcuffs”. (6)a typed “LIST OF IMPORTANT CAPTURES” being a list of prominent “Irregular” leaders who were killed or captured during the period 1st-27th November including Erskine Childers. Childers was executed by firing squad on 24 November, under command of Commandant (later Colonel) Pádraig O’Connor. 13 by 8in. (33 by 20.3cm) Condition: Fine. Estimate €8000-€10000 (approx £7,020-£8,770) Click here for more images and to bid on this lot 261