REFRACTING TELESCOPE BELONGING TO NELSON'S STEPSON

DOLLOND, LATE 18TH CENTURY, LONDON

Details

REFRACTING TELESCOPE BELONGING TO NELSON'S STEPSON
Dollond, late 18th century, London
signed Dollond London and with inscription This telescope belonged to Capt Josiah Nisbet R.N. who died in Paris July 14th 1830, the brass body with red morocco and dust cap to 3-inch objective; in orignal case with applied brass label H.E.T March, 1888.
16in. (41cm.) long in case

Provenance

by repute, from a descendant of Josiah Nisbet, Admiral Lord Nelson's stepson

Lot Essay

The son of Frances Woolward (1761-1831) and Josiah Nisbet (d.1781), Josiah became Nelsons's stepson when he and Fanny married in 1787. The two served together at the battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 1797. When attacking the defences of the town 'as [Nelson] stepped from the boat he was wounded in the right arm. His stepson Lieutenant Josiah Nisbet got him aboard a boat and back to the Theseus, where his arm was amputated' (ODNB online).

More from Christie's Interiors - Style and Spirit

View All