Michael Collins and The Making of a New Ireland. Dublin: Phoenix Pub., 1926. First Edition, First Issue. Two Volumes. Pp (1) xv, 458; (2) vii, 484. Illustrated with Nineteen Plates. Publisher’s green cloth with gilt vignette portrait of Collins on upper covers. Covers lightly faded, contents in nice bright condition throughout.

[With] Publisher’s prospectus containing a six-page introduction and several ‘Specimen Pages’ from both volumes with all the plates as published in the original edition. Rebound in black cloth, original cloth with title laid-on upper cover.

First printing of this iconic biography documenting the life of Michael Collins, with the very rare publisher’s prospectus.

From birth and childhood to his infamous days as Ireland’s leading voice for Independence, Piaras Béaslaí explains Collins’ passion for politics and follows his ascent into the cause for national self-determination. It goes into great detail in describing events that Collins was involved in, and also uses primary sources to support its position.

A friend & colleague of Michael Collins, Piaras Béaslaí fought in the Easter Rising of 1916, and the Irish War of Independence. During the Irish War of Independence, he helped facilitate a mass escape of rebels from jail in Manchester. Later Béaslaí became director of publicity for IRA, and at the 1918 general election he was elected to the First Dáil Éireann as Sinn Féin TD for Kerry East. At the 1921 general election he was returned to the 2nd Dáil as a Sinn Féin Teachta Dála for Kerry-Limerick West. He was re-elected in the 1922 election as a pro-Treaty Sinn Féin candidate.