- 8
Nelson, Horatio, Lord.
Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 GBP
Log in to view results
bidding is closed
Description
- Autograph letter signed ("Nelson & Bronte"), written ten days before Trafalgar, to Dr John Sewell
- ink on paper
writing indignantly about confused orders over prize money ("...the admiralty in England seem to have been very ill advised to give me orders to do that which they had no legal authority for doing..."), defending his actions and complaining of his injured pride ("...I will not submit tamely to be put wrong by them, or any power on earth, I took no step except that of preserving the property without their Lordships orders, and for the obeying of which it seems very cruel that I am to be treated in the manner I have been..."), but assuring Sewell that he does not blame him, and ending his letter with a promise that he expects to engage the enemy imminently, 3 pages, 4to, HMS Victory, 11 October 1805, small hole through the centre of both leaves affecting about four letters, off-setting
"...very soon I shall have an opportunity of getting at the Gentry from Cadiz they cannot stay there much longer and I hope it will be such a show as will go far towards humbling the pride of Buonaparte..."
Dr Sewell was a judge in the Vice Admiralty Court in Malta. His letter to Nelson does not survive, but the source of his anger was evidently the treatment of prizes and distribution of prize money. Nelson's use of the word "Gentry" here is unusual: the OED gives a "playful or contemptuous" meaning of the word as "people, folks", and takes as one of its examples an earlier letter by Nelson (9 July 1794, to Admiral Hood).
"...very soon I shall have an opportunity of getting at the Gentry from Cadiz they cannot stay there much longer and I hope it will be such a show as will go far towards humbling the pride of Buonaparte..."
Dr Sewell was a judge in the Vice Admiralty Court in Malta. His letter to Nelson does not survive, but the source of his anger was evidently the treatment of prizes and distribution of prize money. Nelson's use of the word "Gentry" here is unusual: the OED gives a "playful or contemptuous" meaning of the word as "people, folks", and takes as one of its examples an earlier letter by Nelson (9 July 1794, to Admiral Hood).
Provenance
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Colin White, 'Further Unpublished Letters by Nelson and Emma Hamilton', Trafalgar Chronicle, 18 (2008), pp.66-71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."