Ships manifest documents Cork’s butter exports

THE Cork Butter Exchange was the largest butter market in the world and the city retains a Butter Museum in Shandon to this day.

Butter was exported in large quantities from the city. An important piece of maritime memorabilia from this industrial past features at the Marshs sale in Cork next Saturday at noon.

There is a historic ship’s manifest, framed and dated August 17, 1785. It contains details of the export of about 50 firkins of new loose butter “in good order and condition”. It was shipped by William Crawford of Cork to London on a vessel called the Thomas, which was anchored in the river of Cork. The manifest is signed by both William Crawford and Sam Seldon, skipper and master of the Thomas. The freight charge was 25 shillings.

The sale includes a Georgian glazed breakfront four-door bookcase (€4,000-€5,000) a Regency satinwood bow fronted side cabinet (€4,000-€4,500) and a Georgian giltwood mirror (€2,000-€2,500).

Among the other collectible items is a whimsical poster about pony and donkey races to be run around the Lough in Cork city of February 27, 1898. The advertised donkey and pony races featured numerous humorously named runners and riders. The event, with curious collection of prizes, is believed to have been a hoax.

The sale features a large selection of porcelain and clocks, plus books from a private library at Monkstown, Cork.

Other furniture on offer includes a French ormolu mounted vitrine, a pair of French marble top commodes, a French marble topped side cabinet and a mahogany Chippendale style corner cabinet. Viewing is from next Thursday.