For the postcard collectors here.
David
Peter Laban has some interesting information on Tom Carty (Thomas McCarthy). A couple of interesting facts (gleaned from Peter’s posts) are:
- His pipes were made by the Moloney Brothers (who also made the famous Vandaleur set)
- He lived in 3 centuries, being born at the end of the 18th century and dying in the early years of the 20th century
- He was the Piper of Ballybunion and made his living from piping, up to the time of his death.
I understand that this postcard is quite rare but there are other photographs of Tom Carthy in existence.
Starting price US$97.77 
The card was also re-issued in a colour version some years ago, I have several copies (of the re-issue) sitting on the table here as it happens. A bit of a steep starting price but it is indeed a rare one.
The seller of the first postcard has put a second up for auction.
David
The set of pipes in the drawing/postcard looks similar to Glands’ Willie Rowsome Bb set (2nd & 3rd photos from D’Arcy’s uilleannobsession website):
