A number of Irish historic treasures, including a manuscript signed by Seamus Heaney and an original 1922 Irish Proclamation are to be auctioned in Dublin later this month.

Fonsie Mealy Auctioneers’ Annual Christmas Sale, which will comprise over 800 lots and include a collection of rare books, manuscripts and works of art, will be held at The Gresham Hotel in Dublin on Tuesday, December 13, the Belfast Telegraph reports.

A signed holograph manuscript copy of Seamus Heaney’s poem ‘The Wishing Chair’ is set to be one of the biggest draws of the auction and is estimated to sell for €1,000 - €1,500 ($1056-$1584).

Also set to go under the hammer is a very rare 1922 Proclamation, associated with the Irish Provisional Government, in relation to the matter of the Treaty between Great Britain and Ireland, which was signed in London on December 6 1921. Bidding for this rare historic item is estimated at €1,000 - €1,500.

A collection of handwritten and typescript ballads, composed by renowned playwright, author, and singer Brendan Behan will also be up for sale. The collected archives also include autographed scripts, penciled notes and corrections by Behan himself. The collection is estimated at €3,000 ($3168) but is expected to fetch much more.

Many signed manuscripts, artworks and limited editions by Irish novelist Edith Somerville (whose books inspired the 1980's TV Show, 'The Irish RM') will also go on sale, including an unpublished children’s book titled ‘GROWLY-WOWLY.’ The original signed manuscript written in Somerville’s hand and with seven full page watercolor illustrations is estimated at €3,000 - €5,000 ($3168 - $5280).

Also up for auction is a selection of photographs by Sir Joscelyn (J.J.) Coghill, First Secretary of the Dublin Photographic Society and one of the earliest pioneers of photography in Ireland. The album contains approximately 140 photographs and is estimated at €6,000 - 8,000 ($6336-$8448).

Viewings will be held at he Gresham Hotel, Dublin on Sunday December 11 from 1pm – 6pm and Monday December 12 from 10.30 – 6pm. The sale will take place at 10.15 am on Tuesday, December 13.

For more information on the auction, visit www.fonsiemealy.ie.