MICHAEL COLLINS A white linen handkerchief, circa 21 ins. (53 cms) square, a little stained, believed to have been in Michael Collins' possession on the evening of his death, 22 August 1922. With...

MICHAEL COLLINS A white linen handkerchief, circa 21 ins. (53 cms) square, a little stained, believed to have been in Michael Collins' possession on the evening of his death, 22 August 1922. With a manuscript letter in pencil signed by Collins' brother Sean O Coileain dated 31st August, to General Sean MacMahon (QMG, Portobello Barracks), asking him to 'accept enclosed as souvenir of Micheal - in his pocket at time of death', and with two related envelopes. Provenance: Gen. Sean MacMahon, and by descent. * Michael Collins died by a gunshot wound received when his party was ambushed by anti-Treaty forces at Beal na Blath, between Macroom and Bandon, in fading light late in the evening, probably from a ricochet. Dorothy Macardle records that the whole country was shaken by the news; but it did not stop the fighting, which continued for a fuerther nine months.

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