19th-Century Irish Grant of Arms Issued by Sir William Betham

A grant of arms and royal license dated 1847, issued by Sir William Betham, Ulster King of Arms, to Arthur Gonne Bell, conferring the right upon his marriage to Mary Letitia Martin that "they may take the name and bear the Arms of Martin"; a handwritten and illuminated folded parchment document with blue double-rule border and four armorial bearings including that of Martin in the upper left corner and the royal arms of Queen Victoria; signed by "W Betham Ulster King of Arms of all Ireland" at lower folded edge; accompanied by Betham's red wax seal in a cylindrical gilt metal skippet with crown relief.

21 x 19 7/8 in.

From the Collection of Dr. Jeremiah P. Starling

Sir William Betham (1779–1853) was an Irish officer of arms, an author, and a member of the American Antiquarian Society. He served as Ulster King of Arms from 1820 until his death more than thirty years later.

Colonel Arthur Gonne Bell of County Mayo took the name Martin upon his marriage to the Irish novelist Mary Letitia Martin, who was also known as the "Princess of Connemara."

Seal no longer attached to the document, with ribbon remnants on both; parchment with fold lines and expected general age wear including minor wear to edges, light foxing, and some soiling, stains, marks, and browning.