John McCormack collection could fetch over €40k at upcoming auction

An extensive collection of letters, books, and photos relating to Athlone's most famous son, John Count McCormack, has been listed for auction in Dublin with a valuation of between €40,000 and €60,000.

The items, amassed by a McCormack fan in the capital over the course of several decades, are part of the 'Eclectic Collector' auction being staged by Whyte's auctioneers on Saturday and Sunday, July 25 and 26.

The McCormack trove - described as "a unique collection of ephemera" - will go under the hammer from 1pm on the Saturday, with live bidding available online at whytes.ie

The collection includes original letters from the Athlone native to his friend, JC Doyle, a well-known baritone from Dublin. These letters, dating from 1905 to 1909, include "interesting content regarding McCormack's training in Milan and his early career in London".

There is also "a 1903 letter to W Sheehan, boasting of his talents" and a 1920 letter from future US President Franklin D Roosevelt concerning a banquet for the tenor.

Another item included in the collection is one of McCormack's 'black books', described as "a loose-leaved collection of lyrics, many in his own hand, which he used as an aide memoire when performing on stage".

In addition, there is a collection of photographs and several important programmes, some signed by McCormack, including one for his 25th Anniversary Concert at the Royal Albert Hall on April 24, 1932.

The auctioneer said the collection is valued at €40,000 to €60,000 and the fan who amassed it "had gold tooled leather albums and boxes specially made to house his treasures".

Some of the other items in the 'Eclectic Collector' auction include an original copy of the 1916 Proclamation, 1916 Rising medals, Cromwellian Irish silver, a Wolfe Tone archive, and a collection of Irish coins from Viking to Georgian times.

Viewing of the items is taking place, by appointment only, from Monday to Friday next.