DE VALERA, EAMON
DE VALERA, EAMON. (1882-1975). Leader in the fight for Irish independence; elected the first president of the Irish Free State in 1919 and president of the Republic of Ireland in 1959. SP. (“Eamon de Valera”). 1p. Oblong 4to. N.p., January 25, 1966. Inscribed to GODDARD LIEBERSON(1911-1977), president of Columbia Records. A black-and-white silver print photograph of a much younger de Valera standing on a wooden platform, speaking in front of a large crowd and signed in white ink.
With the growth of Irish nationalism at the beginning of the 20th century and Britain’s renewed policy of Home Rule, the infamous Easter Rising in 1916 pitted Irish rebels against British soldiers. Among the former was American-born de Valera. Arrested for his participation in the revolt, he was nonetheless elected to political office while still imprisoned and, following a stay of execution, de Valera escaped and infiltrated Sinn Féin, a political party that advocated a dual monarchy. However, as monarchists and republicans began to take opposite sides, a 1917 agreement was reached and, after several years of political maneuvering, Sinn Féin announced the establishment of an Irish Republic with de Valera as president from 1919-1922. His negotiations with Britain led to the creation of the Irish Free State in 1921, after which British authority was steadily decreased in all but Northern Ireland. In 1932, de Valera took over the position of prime minister and, in 1937, his rewritten Irish Constitution, named “Bunreacht na hÉireann,” was adopted by referendum, thus defining his nation as sovereign, independent and democratic. He was elected president in 1959 and reelected in 1966 at the age of 84. He remained in office until the age of 90 and still holds the record of the world’s oldest head of state.
Lieberson was a recording industry innovator, best remembered for introducing the LP or long-playing microgroove record to the general public.
The verso bears a stamp of the J. Cashman photography studio in Dublin. With some light wear and in very good condition.
No comments:
Post a Comment