- Michael Collins.
A snippet of hair from Irish Republican icon Michael Collins is set to attract huge bids when it goes under the hammer at auction.
The unusual relic of the IRA founder, which was kept as a personal memento by his sister Kitty after his assassination in 1922, and joins other items of interest at this week's special auction at Adam's on St Stephen's Green in Dublin.
Titled "800 Years - Irish Political, Military and Literary History," the auction also features rare film footage of Collins, known as the "Big Man," on his way to London in 1921 to negotiate with the British at talks that would eventually lead to the founding of the Irish Free State but also partition.
Bids on Collins memorabilia is expected to be high; however, interest in original copies of the 1916 Proclamation of Independence has waned, as they are now valued at up to €80,000, down from an almost €200,000 Euro fetching price four years ago.
Speaking of the lock of Collins' hair, which is expected to attract bids of up to €5,000, Kieran O'Boyle of Adam's explained: "It's getting a lot of attention. It's a very personal and poignant item. Collins is the most popular figure among collectors, so people passionate about their history will be interested in these items. There are dedicated Collins collectors."
The lock was snipped from Collins' hair as he lay in state following his shooting in Cork. It is attached to a note signed by Kitty, explaining she obtained it as his body was held in Dublin's City Hall ahead of the funeral.
The rare 35mm film reel also attracting bids, meanwhile, is a Pathé Gazette newsreel, where the later added clipped, upper class British voiceover describes the republican as "The elusive Mr. Collins" as he is seen stepping from a boat. Also featured in the reel is Arthur Griffith, identified as Ireland's foreign minister.
It is believed the footage, which also shows Collins speaking at a rally, is the only such footage of him in existence.
