Whyte's THE ECLECTIC COLLECTOR TIMED ON-LINE AUCTION 18 APRIL 2026

102 163 Pádraig Pearse: a unique manuscript draft for Irish Volunteers recruiting handbills and posters Manuscript text of a recruiting handbill headed THE IRISH VOLUNTEERS, on reverse of a sheet of THE IRISH VOLUNTEERS headed paper, in Pearse’s unmistakeable hand, with a signed manuscript covering note to M.W. O’Reilly on the same headed paper, dated 7 Feb. 1915. The draft reads: ‘The Irish Volunteers exist to win and guard the liberties of Ireland, and of all Ireland. They aim at placing a rifle in the hands of every Irishman, at teaching him to use it, and at training him in marching, scouting, signalling, etc., with the object of making him an efficient soldier of Ireland ... Why not join?’, with local details for parades at Fairview, ending ‘God Save Ireland’. The whole is in Pearse’s hand in ink, as is the covering note. One of the most important manuscripts by Pearse in existence today. 11.50 by 8in. (29.2 by 20.3cm) Condition: Very good, closed tear at one corner, all legible, envelope roughly opened but address complete. Provenance: By descent from Michael William O’Reilly (1888-1971); Adam’s, 19 April 2016, lot 80; Private collection. William O’Reilly was at this time a young executive with the Prudential Insurance Company He joined the Irish Volunteers and served in the GPO in 1916. He was interned afterwards in Frongoch, where he got to know Michael Collins, and planned with him and others the formation of an Irish-based insurance company to win Irish business from British firms. After his release he became general secretary of the New Ireland Assurance Co., which he built up over the years to be the leading Irish company in the field. Estimate €10,000-€15,000 (approx £8,700-£13,040) Click here for more images and to bid on this lot 163