Fine Arts: There’s something in the attic at latest Mullen’s sale

From banned republican newspapers to Russian-made grenade launchers, the auction house’s upcoming event on September 11 has it all

The most bizarre is an item from more recent days: a Russian-made, shoulder-launched, anti-tank, rocket-propelled grenade launcher, consistent with those used during the Troubles, and of a type supplied by Libya to the Provisional IRA (€4,000-€6,000).

With two mega-sales this week, Homan Potterton: A Lifetime of Collecting at Adam’s on September 7, and the Contents of Howth Castle at Fonsie Mealy’s on September 8-9, Ireland’s fine arts autumn season is beginning at a gallop.

Next up is Mullen’s Collector’s Cabinet on September 11. Many a home has its own Aladdin’s cave: we call it the attic. Keeping company with redundant furniture, clothing no longer in fashion, inherited portraits of people we ...