A LOCK of hair belonging to revolutionary leader Michael Collins is set to fetch up to €7k at auction this month.
The item is one of a number of lots related to the historic Irishman which will go under the hammer in Fonsie Mealy Auctioneers’ sale of Eclectic Collection of Rare Books, Literature and Memorabilia.
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Among the highlights of the auction, which takes place at their site in Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny on July 30 and 31, are Collins’ hair, and a set of military buttons worn by the ‘Big Fella’ during his military career in Ireland.
The lock of hair, which comes mounted on a card with a harp and ‘Erin Go Bragh’ inscribed on the back, is expected to fetch between €5k and €7k at auction.
It is described by the auction house as “a truly unique artifact”.
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The collection of eight Irish Army brass uniform buttons, which come cased with a photo of Collins in army uniform, are expected to fetch between €7k and €10k when they go under the hammer.
An original sepia toned image of Collins, which pictures him rallying a crowd in Dublin, will also be up for sale on the day and is expected to be sold for between €400 and €600.
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Roughly 850 lots will be up for sale over the two-day auction, including a private collection of works by Jack B. Yeats, some rare hand-coloured plate books, GAA material and a large collection of Irish historical and archaeological journals.