A republican flier used to publicize the issuing of Irish Bond Certificates in the United States. A comparison is drawn between Benjamin Franklin’s visit to Ireland in 1769 and Eamon de Valera’s visit to the America in 1919. The flier asks ‘Will America do unto Ireland in 1920 as Ireland did unto America in 1769?’ Readers are asked to ‘Subscribe for the bond certificates of the Republic of Ireland and mail your check today to Eamon De Valera, 411 Fifth Avenue, New York’.
A leaflet published by Cumann na mBan, 27 Dawson Street, Dublin, referring to Kevin Barry, sentenced to death for his part in a republican operation which resulted in the deaths of three British soldiers. The item has a photographic print of Kevin Barry on the front cover.
A poem (to the air of ‘The Boys of Wexford’) advocating support for George Noble Plunkett in the forthcoming by-election. It reads: ‘Roscommon’s chance has come at last, to strike a manly blow, For Eire’s right in freedom’s fight, and thraldom overthrow’. In 1917, in Sinn Féin’s first parliamentary victory, Plunkett won the seat of Roscommon North in a by-election.
A pamphlet by William O’Brien (1852-1928) regarding the Irish Convention, an assembly which sat in Dublin, from July 1917 until March 1918, which sought to address the Irish Question and other constitutional problems relating to an early enactment of self-government for Ireland. Includes an ‘Authorized report of speech delivered on May 21, 1917, in the House of Commons, in the debate on Mr. Lloyd George’s Irish proposals’.
A pamphlet in the republican interest referring to the economic aspects of Ireland’s struggle for independence. Published by the ‘Irish Financial Relations Committee’, Mansion House, Dublin.
A pen-drawn cartoon sketch titled ‘Declaration of Irish Independence New York, March 4-5th 1916’; ‘Germany’s struggle with England is Ireland’s opportunity’. The cartoon depicts a troll-shaped caricature dressed in a Union-Jack flag (‘John Bull’) attacking a young women (‘Erin’). A crowned eagle (Imperial Germany) is attacking ‘John Bull’ thereby rescuing ‘Erin’. Annotation in right hand top corner reads: ‘A.III.C & Y’
A proof copy of a petition (with signatures) to present Ireland’s claims before an ‘impartial non-British Tribunal’ of nations. The accompanying letter stresses the need to present such claims immediately as ‘if such reference were postponed to a date after the end of the war it would be too late to avert the dangers that are now imminent’. With a copy of names of individuals (with professions and addresses) endorsing such a presentment to an international tribunal.
A censored edition of the 'Catholic Bulletin', Vol. VI, no. 5-6, May-June 1916. On pp 250-253 there is a blank space with the title ‘Dublin – May 1916’ over a signature, probably referring to a poem by Gobnait Ní Bhruadair which was censored. Similarly, ‘Matters of the Moment’ has also been left purposely blank (pp 261-3). An annotation in pen on the front cover reads ‘Specimens of censorship. No editorial. No notes on Matters of Moment. Part of Msgr. O’Riordan’s Sermon, p. 267’.
A pamphlet authored by Francis Sheehy-Skeffington (1878-1916) and Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington (1877-1946) referring to the struggle for Irish Independence and the country’s role in the First World War.
Celtic Cross label. Ringed cross with shamrock leaves; in the four ‘corners’ and inscriptions of ‘Éire’ and ‘Sinn Féin’ (twice) on cross. The difference between the two years being only colour. Commissioned by Arthur Griffith and designed by Lily Williams this stamp depicted the Cross of Cong with ‘ÉIRE’ at centre. Sinn Féin members paid a halfpenny each for the stamps and affixed them to letters as a propaganda move. The 1908 Post Office Act outlawed their use after protests by MPs in the House of Commons. They were continued however up to 1916 and beyond. The Cross of Cong design was adopted by the Irish Free State for some values of Irish definitive postage stamps- 3d, 10d and 11d - which were in use up to 1968. Hibernia and Wolfhound Label. Hibernia (Erin) with harp, with arms of the four provinces of Ireland (at corners) and wolfhound; inscriptions ‘Éire’ (top panel) and ‘Sinn Féin’ (left and right panels). The labels were printed by James Walker & Co. Ltd., Dublin in 1908, and again in 1916. The 1916 version was re-drawn and thus differs from the 1908 version.
