Lot 372

G.B. Shaw on Home Rule Crisis: "…they want me to take the field against Carson in Ulster as a Protestant"

Previous image preload Next image preload

G.B. Shaw on Home Rule Crisis: "…they want me to take the field against Carson in Ulster as a Protestant"

Estimate: $400 - $500

Current Bid: $180

(3 Bids)

June 17, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
Wilton, CT, US

Description:

George Bernard Shaw
Toulouse, France, ca. 1913
G.B. Shaw on Home Rule Crisis: "…they want me to take the field against Carson in Ulster as a Protestant"
ALS

A fine letter on postcard from Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) regarding the ongoing Home Rule Crisis and its Unionist opposition. 1p, 3.5" x 5.5", Toulouse, France, ca. 1913. Signed at the conclusion with his initials, "G.B.S.", and addressed to known correspondent C. H. Norman Jr. of London. Within, Shaw notably references Sir Edward Carson (1854-1935), leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) from 1911 to 1921, stating that he cannot be bothered with politics. Exhibits scattered handling marks and soiling throughout, with expected bumping to corners. Overall, very good with fantastic contents.

In part:

"I heard so from another quarter too; and now they want me to take the field against Carson in Ulster as a Protestant. But it's no use: I can't take any real interest in it: they must fight it out without bothering me. I have no time left for the things that other people can see and feel as clearly and deeply as I do myself- or more so: I must stick to the jobs that nobody else seems able or willing to do. Thanks for the warning, all the same…."

As head of the UUP, Carson fought a sustained campaign against Irish Home Rule, including taking the lead in the formation of the Ulster Volunteers at the onset of the Home Rule Crisis in 1912. By the time Shaw was writing in 1913, the Unionists had formed a new paramilitary group known as the Ulster Volunteer Force, fearing that the Act would mean the ascendency of Catholicism. In September 1914, the Home Rule Bill enacted with the stipulation that Northern Ireland be partitioned from the rest of the country, although its implementation was suspended following the outbreak of World War I.

As a person raised in the Protestant faith, Shaw was evidently asked to speak out against Carson in favor of Home Rule. While he grew up in a traditional Protestant household, the writer maintained a complicated relationship with religion throughout his adult life, identifying first as an atheist and later as a "mystic". It is unsurprising, therefore, that he had little motivation to speak on a religious front, although the perceived influence he had on public opinion is nevertheless significant.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

  • Dimensions: 3.5" x 5.5"
  • Medium: ALS

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house world-wide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses that proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with a signature required option, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third-Party Shipping Option: If a third-party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third-party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third-party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third-party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third-party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000