May 2015 Auction Ends Thursday, May 28th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/28/2015
Broadside from the start of the Irish Civil War, printed by the IRA. No sooner had the Irish War for Independence from England come to a close in 1921, when its embers ignited internal conflict. Ireland was divided over the Anglo-Irish Treaty resolution negotiated with Britain a year prior. The Treaty created the Free State, which was placed under control of the Provisional Government and led by Michael Collins. Republican militants, led by Eamon de Valera, however, felt Ireland was in fact still under the thumb of England and wanted the treaty renegotiated. A statement by de Valera printed at the top reads in part: ''...At the last meeting of DAIL EIREANN [Parliament] an agreement was ratified which...would have given us an opportunity of...internal peace...At the bidding of the English this agreement was broken...'' The quote is dated 28 June 1922, the day the war broke out with the Battle of Dublin, in which Free State forces attacked the IRA-occupied Four Courts building, and won. Fighting descended into guerrilla warfare throughout the country, with the Free State emerging victorious over the ill-equipped IRA in May of 1923. Broadside measures 15'' x 20''. Toning and creasing, with minor tears and chipping to side edges. Very good.
1922 Irish Civil War Broadside Issued by the IRA -- ''Beware of Black and Tans'' -- With a Statement by Eamon de Valera
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