An original signed copy of the 1916 Proclamation has fetched a record €360,000 at an auction at Adam’s Auctioneers in Dublin.

The Proclamation, which was signed by Sean McGarry, a bodyguard to Tom Clarke, was purchased by a telephone bidder, is expected to remain in Ireland.

“The Proclamation is arguably the singularly most important document in the history of the Irish nation. This record-breaking copy is particularly special, as it is signed by Sean McGarry who was with Pearse in the GPO at the time of The Rising, making it almost as closely associated with the event as you could possibly get,” said Stuart Cole, director, Adam’s Auctioneers.

Buyers spent more than €2 million on 700 lots at the Independence sale. Among the other purchases made are a rare handwritten and signed letter from Michael Collins to his republican colleague Austin Stack, proposing a Belfast prison break, which fetched €70,000, double its pre-sale estimate.

Posted: 04|17|08 at 8:17 am. Filed under: Auction News.