PEARSE, P.H. Photograph of Patrick Henry Pearse. Commandant-General. Commandingin-Chief the Army of the Irish Republic and President of the Provisional Government. Reproduced photo of the widely circulated image. Framed and glazed. 310 x 238mm.

Dedicated on verso to Mrs. Croy & Maureen from Margaret M. Pearse. In fine condition.
The Pearse photograph - The framing of this reproduction of the widely circulated image with its particular wording was created in the decades following the rebellion. The wording is significant ‘Commanding-in -Chief rather than Commander-in-Chief suggests this was a gift to the family by an admirer or made by a family member rather than a formal representation. The use of the wording Commandant-General, Commanding-inChief the Army of the Republic and President of the Provisional Government indicates it is produced specifically for or by the Pearse family as reflects their belief in the status of PH Pearse which was disputed publicly by Kathleen Clarke who believed it was her husband Tom who was President of the Provisional Government, due to the position of his name on the proclamation. This image of Pearse underpins the wording as it gives him a formal appearance, heroic appearance, like an emperor or king on a coin. He was photographed in profile due to the fact that he had a squint in one eye.
The Pearse family closely managed the continuing legacy of Patrick Henry and William Pearse. Margaret Mary was still alive when this image was used on the 1916 Commemorative stamps in 1966. This was gifted by Margaret to Mrs Croy, and Maureen, later in life by Margaret, as indicated by the unsteady hand, although her copperplate handwriting is clear from the formation of certain letters such as her f and y. Only one family named Croy in the 1911 census in the North, we have been unable to establish who they are.