- 10
Hamilton, Emma.
Estimate
12,000 - 15,000 GBP
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Description
- Remarkable and effusive autograph letter signed to William Hayley on the death of Nelson,
- Ink on paper
lamenting her overwhelming loss from her sick-bed in reply to a letter of condolence ("...I am so Broken Hearted that I can scarcely hold my pen to thank you..."), reciting Nelson's virtues and emphasising how important Hayley's poetry had been to her, discussing Nelson's final leave, sending him a copy of the codicil to his will "about me written the morning of the 21st the unhappy 21st", and admitting her growing regret in trusting Earl Nelson ("...I am very sorry that I have promised the Earl Nelson ... my letters..."), 6 pages, 4to, Clarges Street, 29 January [1806]
"...if I had never read your Triumphs of temper I shou'd never have been the wife of Sir William Hamilton not shou'd I have had an opertunity [sic] of Cultivating those talents which made the great & immortal Nelson think me worthy of his Confidence & which made Him say this last time He went forth to fight His Countrys battles Brave Emma Heroic Emma you encourage me to go forth if their [sic] were more Emma's their wou'd be more Nelsons..."
This letter describes in Emma's own words the famous exchange when she urged Nelson back to sea in September 1805, hitherto only known from secondary sources. Hayley was an old friend of Emma Hamilton from her days as Romney's model in the 1780s. His poem Triumphs of Temper, mentioned in the letter, had a surprisingly deep significance to her. It was a didactic poem that aimed to teach women the virtues of a mild temper through the example of a submissive heroine, Serena, who claimed that "I only wish to please". Not only did Emma claim, both in this letter and elsewhere, that what she had learnt from the poem (presumably about male fantasies of the ideal woman) had made her more attractive to Sir William Hamilton, but one of Romney's finest portraits of Emma (Lady Hamilton as Nature, now in the Frick collection) shows her modelling as Serena.
Hayley wrote several supportive letters to Emma Hamilton in the aftermath of Nelson's death, as she became increasingly isolated from Nelson's family and the difficulties of her financial situation gradually became clear. This letter was apparently in response to a letter in which Hayley had urged her not to sink into depression, and sensibly warned her against giving Earl Nelson her love-letters from Nelson.
"...if I had never read your Triumphs of temper I shou'd never have been the wife of Sir William Hamilton not shou'd I have had an opertunity [sic] of Cultivating those talents which made the great & immortal Nelson think me worthy of his Confidence & which made Him say this last time He went forth to fight His Countrys battles Brave Emma Heroic Emma you encourage me to go forth if their [sic] were more Emma's their wou'd be more Nelsons..."
This letter describes in Emma's own words the famous exchange when she urged Nelson back to sea in September 1805, hitherto only known from secondary sources. Hayley was an old friend of Emma Hamilton from her days as Romney's model in the 1780s. His poem Triumphs of Temper, mentioned in the letter, had a surprisingly deep significance to her. It was a didactic poem that aimed to teach women the virtues of a mild temper through the example of a submissive heroine, Serena, who claimed that "I only wish to please". Not only did Emma claim, both in this letter and elsewhere, that what she had learnt from the poem (presumably about male fantasies of the ideal woman) had made her more attractive to Sir William Hamilton, but one of Romney's finest portraits of Emma (Lady Hamilton as Nature, now in the Frick collection) shows her modelling as Serena.
Hayley wrote several supportive letters to Emma Hamilton in the aftermath of Nelson's death, as she became increasingly isolated from Nelson's family and the difficulties of her financial situation gradually became clear. This letter was apparently in response to a letter in which Hayley had urged her not to sink into depression, and sensibly warned her against giving Earl Nelson her love-letters from Nelson.
Provenance
Sale in these rooms, 20 May 1878, lot 165, to Harvey; Robert Griffin of Court Garden, Marlow, Bucks (c.1840-1921); thence by descent
Literature
Colin White, 'Further Unpublished Letters by Nelson and Emma Hamilton', Trafalgar Chronicle, 18 (2008), pp.66-71
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."