MICHAEL COLLINS AND SOCIALISM A most interesting short autograph passage, probably part of the draft of a speech, unsigned but almost certainly in Collins' early handwriting, beginning 'To many of...

MICHAEL COLLINS AND SOCIALISM A most interesting short autograph passage, probably part of the draft of a speech, unsigned but almost certainly in Collins' early handwriting, beginning 'To many of you it will be difficult to see the connection between Sinn Fein and Socialism. To some it will be apparent. To me it is not so marked as it ought to be. I am one of those who believe that Sinn Fein will never succeed unless it inscribe Socialism on its banner. I shall endeavour then to show a connection - and at the same time cheerfully admit that the founders & early supporters of Sinn Fein were bitterly antagonistic to Socialism. I believe they are still. Our official organ - ''Sinn Fein'' - has suppressed all discussion of Socialism ..', ending with a reference to Griffith, Written in ink on a loose sheet of lined paper, already bearing some pencilled accounting notes, and with notes of towns on the Rhine on reverse. The handwriting suggests a date of about 1905-7, soon before or after Collins arrived in London, when he was aged 15-17. See for comparison the school essay sold at our 20xx Independence sale (lot YY, illus. in catalogue). The lined paper seems to be from a similar notebook as the next two items. It may be unwise to assume these are Collins' considered views, even at an early age. It may have been intended as a draft for debating purposes, or as an exercise, and there is no signature. Nevertheless it is an interesting document, and it is interesting also that Collins or Hannie evidently thought it worth preserving. Provenance: Collins family, from his sister Hannie's collection, by descent.

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