WHYTE'S THE ECLECTIC COLLECTOR TIMED ON-LINE AUCTION 17 MAY TO 7 JUNE 2024

14 History 28 18th century poster for Polito’s Menagerie, held at Dublin, Held at ‘4 Lower Abbey-st, near Sackville-st.’‘Immense Menagerie’ including lions, ‘A Bengal Tyger’, elephant, zebra, kangaroo, ‘The Jagaur or Tyger Cat from the Brasils’ etc. A very rare early poster for a travelling circus or zoo in Ireland. Printed by J. Byrn, 24 Sackville Street. 19.50 by 9in. (49.5 by 22.9cm) Condition: Edge tears away from text, folds, slight soiling, laid down to card, very good for this. Stephen Polito (also known as Stephano, Stephani and Stephanus Polito) (1763/4–1814) was a menagerie owner of Italian descent in Georgian England. Polito was born in Italy. He owned a menagerie which he toured around Britain and Ireland in the late 18th century. Estimate €200-€300 (approx £170-£260) Click here for more images and to bid on this lot 28 29 1800 (May) documents relating to the murder of Garret Brennan in Carrickpark, Carrigbeg, Carlow. (4) Deposition by Garret’s widow Judith Brennan sworn before Magistrate Robert Cornwall (of 1798 infamy) in which she states that two strangers called to their home around midnight, of whom she states she cannot, “form any judgement or opinion of what religion or religions said persons were”, they asked “if there were any strangers in the house” and requested to search the house. Garrett opened the door to a man holding a gun or blunderbuss who said “deliver your money” . As Garrett turned to get the money he was shot dead. The gunman then threatened Judith stating “make haste and deliver your money” she handed over the money. This lot includes a statement from Garrett’s daughter, Margaret and Post Mortem report from Dr Alex Johnson plus two Recognizances. 12 by 10in. (30.5 by 25.4cm) Provenance: Condition: Very good Estimate €150-€200 (approx £130-£170) Click here for more images and to bid on this lot 29