Michael Collins letter for sale in Laois at Gentleman's Library auction

Laois promises to be at the centre of the auction world, according to Sheppard's Auction Rooms in Durrow.

The famous auction house features a big variety items that is sure to whet the appetite of collectors when the Sheppard's Gentleman's Library auction takes place on Tuesday and Wednesday, November 7 - 8.

Among the lots are an an iron meteorite dagger, a Michael Collins letter, a John Constable woodland landscape and a rare games table from the 1840s made from Killarney yew.

Here are the details of a few of the lots on offer:

• Lot 58 - A 17th century Tibeto-Chinese Meteorite iron phurba (dagger) has an estimate of €20,000 - €30,000 on Day 1, Tuesday, November 7.
• Lot 77 -  A pair of numbered Holland and Holland Delux Royale 12-gauge side-by-side shotguns have an estimate:  €3,000 to  €5,000.
• Lot 240 - A painting by John Constable painted circa 1832, has an estimate of €15,000 to €20,000. Cottage in woodland; the oil on paper work, laid on board was authenticated by the late Conal Shields renowned expert on Constable. Observe middle top, a pin hole, to hold the paper in place when painting, en plein air.
• Lot 270 - A rare pair of Limerick silver spoons made by Maurice Fitzgerald, circa 1780.  Estimate: €3,000 to €5,000
• Lot 1006 - Killarney yew and arbutus games table has an estimate of €8,000 to €12,000. With an oval central cartouche of Muckross Abbey, Killarney, it opens to reveal a chess board flanked by two panels of Irish oak and acorn. A cribbage and backgammon board is similarly decorated, above an inlaid bulbous column, inlaid with trailing oak and ivy, supported on a serpentine base and terminating on claw feet on castors. 

Previews of the sale will be held on Saturday and Sunday in Sheppard's Auction Rooms in the centre of the picturesque Laois village.