WHYTE'S THE HISTORY SALE TIMED ON-LINE AUCTION 1-11 NOVEMBER 2023

34 1882-1883 letters handwritten by Michael Davitt, some from Richmond Prison. (6) All are undated, other than by day, all addressed to a ‘MIss Lawlor’ (Miss Bridget M. Lawlor of 2 Cavendish Row, Dublin). Two letters are from the Imperial Hotel, one mentioning the great success of his visit to Scotland, where he was supportive of crofters’ struggles wuth the English landlords. The other four letters are from Richmond Prison, mainly thanking Miss Lawlor for her gifts. An accompanying envelope in Davitt’s hand is dated 12 November 1882 and gives Miss Lawlor’s address. 7 by 4.50in. (17.8 by 11.4cm) Condition: Very good. Michael Davitt, a founding member of the Irish National Land League was born in Straide, Co. Mayo during the height of the famine. His family was evicted from there and forced to emigrate to Lancashire, England where Davitt had his arm amputated after an accident working in a mill at the age of 11. Davitt became involved with the Fenian movement in England and later, in the 1870s and 1880s he was instrumental in the enactment of the Irish Land Acts, and was a founding patron of the GAA and an MP. Estimate €2,000-€3,000 (approx £1,720-£2,590) Click here for more images and to bid on this lot 34 History 24