In April 1917 there was a gift sale held at the Mansion House in Dublin in aid of the Irish National Aid and Volunteer Dependents. Emily, out of generosity and always ready to make a contribution to a cause close to her heart, donated a motor coat, which fetched £20.
“Relics As Bargains
The desk on which Gerald Griffin wrote “The Collegtans” was bought for 22s 6d and two L’enian pikes got £1. A case of butterflies collected in India by the Late Michael Mallin, one of the executed leaders, together with two books of music containing his autograph, presented by his widow bought £1 10s. Twenty pounds were paid for a motor coat presented by Mrs. Weddall and a motor coated lined musquash, given by Mme O’Reilly, reached £10. forty pounds were given for a pan of 6in antique silver candle sticks, Dublin hallmark 1725. Robert Emmet’s Wallet fetched £10 and the block on which he was beheaded was sold for £5 10s. Ten pounds were paid for a silver dish 1774.”
History Repeats Itself
The mentioned block that Robert Emmet was beheaded on is still doing the rounds to this day. It was on display in the entrance hall in the Pearse Museum, St. Enda’s Park associated with Emmet and for a time at Kilmainham Gaol, where he was held before his execution in 1803, completing the full circle. Read more on Robert Emmet:
The donation of the motor coat by Emily was most generous, as at the time the cold reality of her dire financial state was beginning to dawn on her. She was on the eve of becoming penniless. Up until early 1917 Emily was reliant on her income from her stock and shares and any other investments she had in Russia. In March of 1917 the Revolution began to unfold and any finance from there was under threat. Emily was not the most financially astute person and overlooked the bills and notices from the bank stacking up.
