24th Jun, 2021 9:30

Fine Art, Antiques & Asian Art

 
Lot 346
 

An original letter from Viscount Horatio Nelson (1758-1805), written only a few months before his death, to an unknown recipient. Using his left hand (often illegibly), and from onboard HMS Victory, dated April 19th 1805, he wrote 'Sir, as you had not served your time it was useless your going to Gibraltar to join the Amphitrite, another person has been long ago appointed. [Text indistinct due to fold on the paper]..anxious to promote you and shall also recommend you to the admiralty for your conduct in bringing up the letter from Lord ?. The Trans ? will go to Gibraltar [?] the union[?] and you must make haste to Malta or W. Indies[?]. The convoy will be sailed as I sent them their final orders yesterday. ? for your very faithful and humble servant, Nelson & Bronte'. Written on folded notepaper with script to both sides, 23.5 cm x 18.2 cm, presented in double-sided glazed frame.

Provenance: From a private collection.

Nelson was Commander in Chief of the Mediterranean fleet, with his HMS Victory being the flagship. He had arrived in Toulon to support the blockade of the French in July 1803, (writing this letter a month later), and remained there for around 18 months. In April 1805, the French fleet escaped, passing through the Strait of Gibraltar and into the Atlantic, with Nelson eventually pursuing them as far as the West Indies. This letter appears to be written at around the time (or just before) the French fleet, under the command of Admiral Pierre-Charles Villeneuve, managed to break the blockade. Nelson's pursuit was fruitless, however the French returned in July 1805 and were engaged in the Battle of Cape Finisterre by Sir Robert Calder and the British Fleet. Nelson returned later to Gibraltar, and then after a brief visit to England, he returned to Victory at Cadiz in September. He lost his life at the Battle of Trafalgar on 21st October 1805, just a few months after this letter was written.

Sold for £2,200


Condition Report

Foxing and marks to the paper throughout, with some folds obscuring the text.

 

An original letter from Viscount Horatio Nelson (1758-1805), written only a few months before his death, to an unknown recipient. Using his left hand (often illegibly), and from onboard HMS Victory, dated April 19th 1805, he wrote 'Sir, as you had not served your time it was useless your going to Gibraltar to join the Amphitrite, another person has been long ago appointed. [Text indistinct due to fold on the paper]..anxious to promote you and shall also recommend you to the admiralty for your conduct in bringing up the letter from Lord ?. The Trans ? will go to Gibraltar [?] the union[?] and you must make haste to Malta or W. Indies[?]. The convoy will be sailed as I sent them their final orders yesterday. ? for your very faithful and humble servant, Nelson & Bronte'. Written on folded notepaper with script to both sides, 23.5 cm x 18.2 cm, presented in double-sided glazed frame.

Provenance

Provenance: From a private collection.

Nelson was Commander in Chief of the Mediterranean fleet, with his HMS Victory being the flagship. He had arrived in Toulon to support the blockade of the French in July 1803, (writing this letter a month later), and remained there for around 18 months. In April 1805, the French fleet escaped, passing through the Strait of Gibraltar and into the Atlantic, with Nelson eventually pursuing them as far as the West Indies. This letter appears to be written at around the time (or just before) the French fleet, under the command of Admiral Pierre-Charles Villeneuve, managed to break the blockade. Nelson's pursuit was fruitless, however the French returned in July 1805 and were engaged in the Battle of Cape Finisterre by Sir Robert Calder and the British Fleet. Nelson returned later to Gibraltar, and then after a brief visit to England, he returned to Victory at Cadiz in September. He lost his life at the Battle of Trafalgar on 21st October 1805, just a few months after this letter was written.

Images or videos

Drag and drop .jpg images here to upload, or click here to select images.