1916 Proclamation / Half-Proclamation, 1916

Original print of the lower half of the Easter Week Proclamation 1916. With a signature at the top left hand corner, 'Presented to Sir H. [illegible] Just run off [illegible] at Liberty Hall by an old friend. 3.5.16, 1.20pm'. Printed in Liberty Hall by British soldiers about April 29 - May 6, 1916. On occupying Liberty Hall the soldiers found the type of this part of the Proclamation set up in the machine (the type of the top half had been broken up in order to obtain sufficient to permit the lower half, the original proclamation as issued being then printed in two separate operations). The soldiers made a pull to the type in the machine and when they saw the result printed off further copies, which they later sold as souvenirs. This is one of the copies. It is described by Mr. J.J. Bouch, National Library, Dublin, who gives the above information, as being very rare. Size 20' by 15', print blurred.;