Leading Cavan-based auctioneers specialising in pub memorabilia and collectables, Victor Mee Auctions Ltd have recreated a slice of Irish history in their Cavan-based auction house with the addition of three iconic Victorian consumer scenes which will find their place on the block in their next sale on 2nd May 2018.

Above: originally from County Tipperary, a 19th century mahogany chemist shop scene includes every detail of the period.  Estimated to be over 140 years old, the chemist shop includes popular features of the day including from counters, wall cabinets, apothecary drawers and original glass labels.  The present owner had intended to use the chemist shop in one of his bars, but unfortunately never got the chance. This chemist shop was once a pillar of its local community, providing residents with essential potions, lotions and remedies to cure what ailed them for over 100 years.  Other attention-grabbing pieces in this collection include an extremely rare McQuaid rubberoid advertising figure, Fry’s Chocolate advertising cabinet and rare Young’s Medical gilt and wooden shop sign.

Above: alongside the chemist shop, Victor Mee’s upcoming sales will also include a Victorian bar.  Made of scumbled pine and fitted out with whiskey flagons and bottles featuring popular brands like Paddy and D’Arcy’s Old Irish Whiskey, antique bar stools and a collection of Guinness advertisement, the interiors of this historic bar would not only suit a hospitality business seeking historical charm for their fit-out but also would feature well in a museum or immersive history display.

Above: In addition to the bar furniture and shelving, bidders with interest in pub memorabilia are also expected to flock to the auction house and log-in online to bid on a rare collection of Redbreast and Midleton Irish whiskies; rare whiskey mirrors featuring O’Neill McHenry Old Irish Whiskey Londonderry, Dunville’s Whisky 24 prize medals and Dunville’s Whisky 22 prize medals; and an extremely rare pictorial Paddy Old Irish Whiskey Cork Distillers enamel sign.

The third piece of this trifecta of Irish heritage up for sale at Victor Mee includes the contents of the last original Irish tobacco shop, Cigar Divan, which was actively traded in Carlow town from the 1800s to 2008.  Following its closure, the remaining contents were carefully preserved by the present owner and are planned to draw significant interest from vintage advertising and tobacco collectors.  Also of interest from the Carlow town tobacconist shop are a ‘Smoke Hignett’s Night and Morning’ Two Flakes advertising mirror of large proportions; Ogden’s Guinea Gold advertising mirror; and a pair of rare Mitchell’s cigarettes window mirrors.

Commenting on the excellent quality of these historic items on auction Auctioneer Victor Mee said, “Very few museums would feature a set like this or a collection so vast and rare.  We are finding that many potential bidders as well as locals with a keen interest in Ireland’s bygone days are interested in coming to see these unique scenes from Victorian Ireland.  Visiting these retailers would have offered a completely different experience to modern day shopping – there is something so comforting and familiar about the scenes, yet so very unusual to our lifestyles.  These items would be would be an antiques collector’s or publican’s dream as there is so much to see and take in, you could happily spend the whole day here!”

Viewing opportunities in advance of the 1st and 2nd May sales at Victor Mee Auctions are available from 11:00am to 6.00pm from Friday 27th until Monday 30th April at the Cloverhill, County Cavan premises.

An online catalogue is also available at www.victormeeauctions.ie.

Further details on the “Collect Ireland” Auction page here: www.collectireland.com/auctions