[ETCHINGHAM, Sean - PRISON LETTER] Three page autograph letter signed, on standard prison letter form, from Jack (Sean) Etchingham in Lewes Prison, dated 21.3.1917, to 'My dear Martin'. Marked...

[ETCHINGHAM, Sean - PRISON LETTER] Three page autograph letter signed, on standard prison letter form, from Jack (Sean) Etchingham in Lewes Prison, dated 21.3.1917, to 'My dear Martin'. Marked 'Special' (by censor). Interesting letter, referring to the purchase of a library [the Etchingham family was associated with the book trade], ''I spoke to De Valera re: the rare mathematical books. He would be delighted to have them kept for him''; also the death of an old friend, Ryan. ''Kindly direct Collins to assure Mrs. Ryan of my deep regret.'' [presumably the reference is to Michael Collins, recently released, and at that time Secretary of the Volunteers' Dependants Fund]; also some comments on the prison system, war news, a poetry writing group in prison, Harry Boland, etc. Sean Etchingham was a Captain in the Wexford Volunteers, which took over much of North Wexford in 1916. They agreed to surrender only after Etchingham received a direct order from Pearse at the end of the fighting in Dublin. In 1921 he was appointed Fisheries Minister by the Second Dáil. Folds strengthened with tape, otherwise very good.

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