O’CONNELL, Daniel. A fine and desirable autograph letter panel from Ireland’s great national leader.

355mm x 280mm. Dublin, 27–29 January 1839. Mounted and handsomely presented with a coloured portrait of O’Connell. Oblong octavo folded letter, addressed in O’Connell’s hand to Sebastian C. Gardey Esq., 19 Cavan Street, French [sic] London. Red circular crowned FREE date stamps, 27 JA 27 1839 and 29 JA 29 1839. Signed at the foot in bold ink: “Daniel O’Connell”.

This piece, dated 1839, falls within the height of O’Connell’s influence when he was at once a barrister, political organiser, and the most powerful Irish voice in the House of Commons. Letters franked by him are highly sought after, particularly those displaying his distinctive signature alongside free postal marks.

Daniel O’Connell (1775–1847), known as The Liberator, was the dominant Irish political leader of the early nineteenth century. A gifted barrister, he championed Catholic emancipation, securing the right for Catholics to sit in Westminster with the passing of the 1829 Relief Act. He later spearheaded the campaign for repeal of the Union. O’Connell’s privilege as an MP allowed him to frank his correspondence free of postal charges, hence the prominent FREE stamp.

Provenance: Private collection. Elegantly mounted with gilt border and portrait for display.

[L1 BC Cabinet]