DUBLIN.- The eclectic array of collectibles in this popular series of auctions hosted by Whyte’s includes historic artefacts, manuscripts, documents and printed ephemera, also maps, books, photographs, postcards, advertising signs and posters, jewellery and watches, militaria and weapons, coins, medals & banknotes, curios etc.

Michael Collins and Eamon de Valera united and toasting ‘Ireland One and Indivisible’.
One of the most profound schisms in Irish political history occurred with the signing of the 1921 Anglo Irish Treaty. Michael Collins and Eamon de Valera became bitter enemies and leaders of either side in the Civil War. Lot 148, a page from the menu of a dinner attended in happier days by both men and signed by them will be offered at Whyte’s Eclectic Collector auction on 3 February. Documents with the signatures of both Collins and de Valera are extremely rare. Printed on the menu are three toasts beginning with, ironically, “Ireland One and Indivisible” estimate €800-€1,200. Lot 135 in Whyte’s auction is a programme of the first Dail in January 1919. The errata section on final page records that Micheal Ó Coileáin [Collins] and Enri Ó Beólaín [Boland] were not present, in fact they had travelled to England to make arrangements for De Valera's escape from Lincoln Jail. Estimate €200-€300.

Bronze Age bronze dagger.
The oldest object in Whyte’s Eclectic Collector auction of 3rd February is this Irish bronze dagger, dating to the 2nd Millennium BC. It was found in County Antrim and was formerly in the collection of British amateur archeologist Chris Rudd. It is lot 1 in the Eclectic Collector auction, estimate €1,500-€2,000.

Kathleen Clarke’s 1916 Rising medal. Kathleen Clarke’s role in the 1916 Rising is documented in her statement to the Pensions Branch of the Department of Defence. She describes her wish to join her husband Tom in the GPO and his ‘orders’ for her to remain at their home in Richmond Avenue for the duration of the Rising and to receive and distribute communications from units outside Dublin. She was also ordered to organise the care and maintenance of the dependants of those fighting in the Rising, with immediate effect. Clarke remained at Richmond Avenue until she was arrested on Tuesday 2 May. She founded the Irish Republican Prisoners' Dependants Fund the following Saturday. In many ways, her work for the Dependants after the Rising, assisted by Michael Collins, was the glue that held the Irish Volunteers together in the early days of the War of Independence. Her 1916 Rising medal is lot 102 in Whyte’s Eclectic Collector auction on February 3rd, estimate €10,000-€15,000.

Rare bravery medal to Kingstown (Dún Laoghaire) lifeboatman.
Henry Williams, Coxswain, Kingstown (Dún Laoghaire) Lifeboat received the Royal National Lifeboat Institution silver medal in 1881 in recognition of long and gallant service. Henry Williams was succeeded as coxswain by his son Alexander but continued as an occasional crew member. Father and son lost their lives, along with thirteen other lifeboat crew, when their lifeboat capsised during the attempted rescue of the crew of the Finnish ship, SS Palme on Christmas Eve 1895. The disaster is remembered each year in an ceremony, held on the East Pier on December 24. Henry Williams’ silver medal, in its fitted case of issue, is lot 64 in Whyte’s Eclectic Collector auction on 3 February, estimate €300-€500.

The Greatest Dracula poster.
The Horror movie genre is the most sought-after by cinema poster collectors and Dracula films are at the top of most of their wish lists. Many regard the 1958 poster for the Hammer version of the tale, starring Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee and Michael Gough as the greatest cinema poster of all time. Whyte’s Eclectic Collector auction on 3 February includes a fully restored and linen-backed example of the 1958 poster showing Christopher Lee’s Dracula about to feast on Mina Holmwood, played by Melissa Stribling. Cinema-goers are advised, ‘Don’t dare see it alone!’ Lot 484, estimate €6.000-€8,000.

Tolkien Treasure.
J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings was published in three volumes in 1954 and 1955 and has regularly topped surveys of people’s favourite books ever since. A magnificently bound set of first editions is lot 262 in Whyte’s Eclectic Collector auction. The black calf leather bindings are decorated in gilt with the eye of Sauron on the spine, elvish script on the front cover and Tolkien’s iconic monogram to the back cover. The books each include a large fold-out version of Tolkien’s famous map of Middle Earth. The set is housed in a clamshell case bound in matching black calf leather. Estimate €4,000-€6,000.

Christy Brown archive.
An important archive of poems, plays, short stories and letters by Christy Brown (1932-1981) in Whyte’s Eclectic Collector auction includes eight plays and five short stories as well as over 100 pages of incomplete plays, stories and poems. The archive was given by Christy’s mother Bridget to the father of the current owner and provides a fascinating insight into the working life of the writer and painter. It includes a pediscript letter apparently written in hospital, “my last night here” and, among the correspondence, a letter from Radio Eireann rejecting a play. In all there are more than 300 pages in the archive. Christy’s life story was made famous by the film My Left Foot, based on his 1954 autobiography, and which garnered two Oscars. Lot 223, estimate €5,000-€7,000.

Jimi Hendrix Experience bassist’s bass.
Noel Redding was the first member of the Jimi Hendrix Experience. He helped create the three landmark albums Are You Experienced, Axis: Bold as Love, and Electric Ladyland, as well as performing in Hendrix's most celebrated concerts. Following Hendrix’s death in 1970 Redding moved to Ireland and settled in Clonakilty. In 1981 he sold his Fender Jazz bass guitar to a local musician, who has consigned it to Whyte’s for auction in their Eclectic Collector auction on 3 February. The guitar is accompanied with a receipt for a deposit of £200 signed by Noel Redding. Lot 533, estimate €3,000-€5,000.

Belly dancers move in Mysterious Ways.
In 1991 Yasmina Bouhebbal was working as a dance instructor in Dublin when she received a phone call to engage her to perform a belly dance in the VIP departure lounge at Dublin Airport. She arrived to find U2 and their entourage preparing to fly to Morocco to shoot a video for their song ‘Mysterious Ways’, which prominantlty features a belly dancer. It was Bono’s birthday and she danced for him, it wasn’t to be for the last time. Two years later a call came asking if she would be available to dance for a number of dates on the French and German legs of the band’s Zoo-TV tour. She agreed and the costume she wore while dancing with Bono on stage in Nantes, Frankfurt and Munich is now offered as lot 537 in Whyte’s Eclectic Collector auction, estimate €300-€500. A set of autographs signed by all four members at Dublin Airport in 1991 is lot 536, estimate €300-€500.