ANTIQUE SILK HANDKERCHIEF COMMEMORATING THE HEROES OF THE 1798 IRISH REBELLION

“1798 LORD ED. FITZGERALD” [Caption title]. LARGE SILK HANDKERCHIEF ILLUSTRATED WITH 5 LITHOGRAPH VIGNETTE PORTRAITS OF THE HEROES OF THE 1798 IRISH REBELLION. [Ireland]: [No Printer], [circa 1898]. Antique pictorial handkerchief, cream-colored silk, measuring 20.5 x 20.5 inches (with wide hem-stitched borders on all 4 sides), illustrated with lithographed central vignette portrait of Lord Ed. Fitzgerald (surrounded by a clover wreath, and headed “1798”), with similar portraits at the 4 corners, of Robert Emmet, Wolfe Tone, Henry Joy McCracken, and “Insurgent Gen. Edward Roche.” The letters “FRED” are printed at the lower right corner (in the hemmed margin), which may be a partial imprint, or printer’s error. A finely illustrated 19th century silk handkerchief, likely printed in 1898 to commemorate the centennial of the Irish Rebellion, which claimed between 20,000 and 50,000 lives during a 3-month period. In remarkable condition.

A little bit about the heroes:

Lord Edward Fitzgerald was a trained soldier who assumed leadership of the United Irishmen, whose goal was independence from England. They planned an insurrection in March 1798 but he was arrested and died in prison in June 1798.

General Edward Roche was involved in the battle of New Ross in the 1798 rebellion.

Henry Joy McCracken helped to form the first United Irishmen in Belfast and fought in 1798. He was arrested and hanged at age 31.

Robert Emmet in 1802 wanted to renew the Irish struggle for independence. He was eventually arrested and tried for high treason. He was hung and decapitated, only 24 years old. He had asked, "When my country takes her place among the nations of the earth, then, and not till then, let my epitaph be written."

Very good condition for such a fragile, ephemeral item. Creased at old folds, several pin holes at corners and scattered about center panel, 1 tiny break to silk, few spots only very faint dust soiling, else crisp and bright, with the illustrations fresh and bold, and remarkably clean. Please examine images to best assess condition. This is one of at least 3 commemorative hankies for the 1798 Rebellion, likely printed for the centenary, but they rarely appear in the marketplace. Here’s your chance to add this amazing piece of Irish history to your collection.

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