Antiques: A rifle, rare books, and a lock of Oscar Wilde's hair

This sale also offers the first edition of the first book by the first Irish author to write for a printing press rather than a scriptorium

A bound copy of one of the most elaborate 19th-century publications on the Near East leads Fonsie Mealy's two-day rare book and collectors sale next Tuesday and Wednesday (December 12 and 13).

This brimful of interest sale, which is being held this year in Castlecomer, offers rarities like the first edition of the first book by the first Irish author to write for a printing press rather than a scriptorium, important 1916 documents, the first Dublin All-Ireland Hurling Championships medal from 1889, a lock of Oscar Wilde's hair and the 1805 design for Ormond Bridge in Dublin (now named O'Donovan Rossa Bridge) by William Hurst Ashpitel (1776-1852).