From portraits to swords, auction lots at Howth Castle have many stories to tell
From old vellum manuscripts forging the politics of a decade that shaped modern Europe to William Moore-style commodes, a landmark achievement in aviation and banshee shrieks that foretold the sudden death of Lord Rossmore in 1801, the breadth of the James Adam Country House Collections sale at Howth Castle next week is astonishing. Every auction tells a story. This one is more storied than most.The managing director of James Adam, Stuart Cole, is usually drawn to a fine piece of Georgian furniture or a compelling portrait. This time, he was stopped in his tracks by three vellum books. Lot 522 (€7,000-€10,000) comprises the working field books of two successive English envoys of King William III. One of the 17th/18th-century vellum record books from an era that forged modern Europe. The books will be auctioned at James Adam.Operating in northern Germany and the Baltic — one of the most consequential diplomatic postings in late 17th-century Europe — they are extraordinary for the density of historic material. According to Cole, every name — Nottingham, Marlborough, Rooke, Fagen — is a thread that pulls you deeper into the politics of a decade that shaped modern Europe. "That they have survived at all is remarkable. That they have surfaced here at Howth Castle makes this for me one of the most quietly thrilling lots in the entire auction," he said.No documented furniture by William Moore survives, but a small group is attributed to the famous Dublin maker on the basis of a commode made in 1782 for the third Duke of Portland, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. There is an ivory plaque with Moore's name. Similar pieces are held in museums like the Victoria and Albert in London and the Metropolitan in New York. A pair of George III commodes in the manner of William Moore at Adam's.Lot 463 at Howth is a pair of shaped hardwood and inlaid commodes in the manner of William Moore by descent from the collection of Colonel Edge of Marlay Grange, Rathfarnham, and estimated at €15,000-€20,000.Henry Robert Westenra, third Baron Rossmore, was a notable patron of Dublin artist William Brocas. He commissioned Brocas to paint a series of the Rossmore estate on the outskirts of Monaghan, along with family portraits. Portrait of Anne Douglas-Hamilton by William Brocas RHA.A portrait by Brocas of Henry's first wife, Anne Douglas-Hamilton, illegitimate daughter of Douglas Hamilton, 8th Duke of Hamilton, was described by Anne Crookeshank and the Knight of Glin as the most distinguished example of his work in this genre. Lot 542 is estimated at €10,000-€15,000. The title of Baron Rossmore of Monaghan was created in 1796 for General Robert Cuninghame, who had fought at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. His passing in 1801 is renowned in Irish folklore as guests, including Sir Jonah Barrington, heard banshee shrieks shouting Rossmore, Rossmore just before his sudden death.The first non-stop east-west crossing of the Atlantic was completed in April 1928 aboard the Junkers W33 Bremen by an Irish German crew. It left from Baldonnel and battled strong headwinds in a 3,200-mile flight that lasted 36 hours. The sword presented to Major James Fitzmaurice, co-pilot of the Junkers W33 Bremen, which made the first east-west trans Atlantic Crossing in 1928.The crew was celebrated worldwide. They received a ticker tape parade in New York and became the first non-Americans to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross, presented by President Calvin Coolidge. Lot 664 is an inscribed Irish brass-hilted officers' sword presented to co-pilot Major James Fitzmaurice, who became commanding officer of the Irish Air Corps at Baldonnel. The estimate is €3,000-€5,000.The James Adam auction will be online only on Monday (May 27) and live and online at James Adam, St Stephen's Green, on Tuesday. It is on view at Howth Castle, from 11am to 5pm, today, tomorrow and Monday. The catalogue is online.Reidy's Wine Vault Contents from Reidy's Wine Vault and bar on Lancaster Quay in Cork, which has been sold, will be offered as one lot by Lynes and Lynes at an auction on May 9. It will include the bar counter, which is over 29 feet long, the bar back, dividers, cabinets and light fittings. The estimate is €70,000-€120,000.
