[kroper]

Hello,

In searching for my great great grandfather, P.J. Sheridan, I have come across a portrait that includes P.J. Gordon. it is entitled :
Portraits of the Fourteen Traversers in the State Prosecution of the Land League.

It is among the holdings of the National Library of Ireland. Here is the URL: http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000153893


Also, if you google "the fourteen traversers in the state prosecution of the Land League" you will find that there is an upcoming auction at Whyte's in Dublin on April 21, 2012, and it appears that they are auctioning this portrait, but I cannot find it in their catalogue. You will also find other references to this portrait as well as digital images, albeit very small.


I have a bar poster that has Parnell and a circle of associates that has PJ Sheridan but alas, PJ Gordon is not on it.



Hope this helps!

[CeannRua]

Good find, kroper. I don't think it is for upcoming auction by Whytes - it's just the way it's linked back to their homepage. It was for auction last year though and looks like it didn't sell. From catalogue of 16 April 2011
http://www.whytes.ie/i6.asp?Auction=20110416.
edit: sorry not linking properly to item

[R0C]

Thanks kroper for taking the time to respond here.
From my research of PJ Gordon, I am very familiar with the name PJ Sheridan.

I had previously been linked to that item containing the 14 traversers and was disappointed to see I'd missed the auction. I noticed it was unsold and contacted Whytes.

About two months ago, I was able to purchase this item via Whytes and now finally I have an image of PJ Gordon in my possession. (I am still seeking the original Lawrence print or any other images of Gordon out there)

PJ Sheridan is contained on this page also; if you wish, I can photograph it and e-mail you on a copy for your records. It'll be clearer than the preview online.

[nuac]

You coul enquire with


Wynnes Castlebar photographers for several generations

Sinéad McCool Curator Jackie Clarke Library/collection Ballina

Mayo Co Library Castlebar

Archives Connaught Tedlegraph Castlebar

Archives Mayo News Westport

[R0C]

Thanks for the suggestions, nuac.

Underneath the sketch of PJ used in the newspaper page which I have now (via Whytes), it says 'P.J. Gordon. From Photo by T.J. Wynne, Castlebar.'

So somewhere out there is a portrait photograph of PJ which this sketch is based on. [see attached for scan of sketch from newspaper page - my one and only glimpse at what PJ Gordon looked like]

As regards the Wynne Collection, I was informed that their photographic archive was donated to Mayo County Library at Castlebar so I assume they have no photos in their possession anymore. Ivor at the Library was so kind as to search through the entire archive for me last year in the hunt for the original picture of PJ but had no luck in finding it.
I haven't given up hope of something turning up eventually though.

I haven't looked into the other resources you suggested but certainly will. Thanks.

[pakalasa]

We have a membership card for The Land league at home. It was my great-granuncle's. Anyone know how rare these are?

[R0C]

There have been quite a few of these Land League membership cards listed in Whytes auctions over the years. If you check an old catalogue via their website you should be able to see how much they fetched.

I don't think it would be worth very much unless it belonged to a prominent land league member, but it should probably be priceless to your great-granuncle's descendants.

[pakalasa]

Oh, don't worry, It ain't for sale..
I was just wondering how many there were about, was it like 100's or 1000's.

[R0C]

Glad to hear it's not for sale.

I would guess at 100s rather than 1000s given how little my own research has turned up from the Land League era.

I know I haven't been able to come across a membership card for PJ Gordon yet but would very much like to. (Probably withering away in my grandmother's attic!)

The big auctions (Adam's, Whytes, etc) are flooded with 1916 and 1920s Irish memorabilia, there is even quite a bit of Fenian stuff listed usually, but there are never as many 1880s Land League era items.

[pakalasa]

I heard of a story recently of a young woman, who sold her Grandfather's War Of Independence medals so that she could go on a foreign holiday.

[R0C]

Wow.