Viscount Horatio Nelson

A UNION JACK FLOWN FROM HMS SPARTIATE AT THE BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR, 21 OCTOBER 1805

BATTLE OF THE NILE. Manuscript log of HMS Swiftsure , off Cadiz, Gibraltar, Mediterranean, 9 February - 27 December 1798, INCLUDING AN ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE OF THE NILE ON 1-2 AUGUST, allegorical drawing depicting 'Time' on f.2, 11 topographical watercolours on two further leaves depicting features chiefly on the coasts of southern Italy and Sicily, 37 leaves, folio (ff.1-2 detached, a few others partially detached, even browning fo ff.23v and 24r affecting part of the description of the battle), marbled paper wrappers (detached, crudely rebacked).

NELSON, Horatio, Viscount (1758-1805). Two autograph letters signed ('Nelson and Bronte' and 'Nelson & Bronte' respectively) on a single bifolium to an unidentified recipient, [ ALMOST CERTAINLY EMMA HAMILTON ], [San Josef, Torbay], ‘2 o'clock Tuesday’ and ‘Ten o'clock Monday night’ [9 and 10 February 1801], 2¼ pages , 4to (207 x 201mm) , (the first leaf excised at the bottom, loss of the first and perhaps second line of the 10 February letter and the same amount on the verso, about ¼ of the second leaf remaining). Provenance : dating endorsement in a hand close to that of William Nelson (1757-1837, 1st Earl Nelson), the Admiral's elder brother, on the verso.

Horatio, Viscount Nelson (1758-1805)

Document signed (‘Nelson & Bronte’), ‘Order of Battle and Sailing’ addressed to Captain Israel Pellew of the Conqueror , HMS Victory off Cadiz, 29 September 1805

NELSON, Horatio, Viscount (1758-1805). Autograph letter signed ('Nelson & Bronte'), A LOVE LETTER TO EMMA HAMILTON, Portsmouth, 27 February 1801, one page, 4to , integral address leaf, addressed in autograph to 'Lady Hamilton 23 Piccadilly London' and signed ('Nelson'), postal markings, seal on red wax (seal tear, remnants of guards, split along fold between the two leaves and repaired on blank verso, short split at fold from left margin). Provenance : Alfred Morrison collection, no. 529.

Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson (1758-1805)

Autograph letter signed ('Nelson & Bronte') to Captain Thomas Foley, HMS Victory , 18 October 1805

NELSON, Horatio, Viscount Nelson (1758-1805). Autograph letter signed (with the right hand, 'Horatio Nelson') to [his uncle] William Suckling, off Port Mahon, 7 June [1795], referring to an enclosure for his mother, and giving strategic news, 'No reinforcements ... the French are not yet saild from Toulon but all ready 21 Sail of the Line 13 frigates, truly sorry am I that Lord Hood does not command us he is a great Officer & Was he here we should not now be skulking', one page, 4to , integral address leaf.

NELSON, Horatio, Viscount (1758-1805). Autograph letter signed ('Nelson & Bronte') to Sir Evan Nepean (Commissioner of the Admiralty), Victory , 11 May 1805, one page, 4to , integral blank, contemporary endorsement (remnants of guards).

NELSON, Horatio, Viscount (1758-1805). Autograph letter signed (‘Nelson’) to Sir John Acton, Foudroyant , Bay of Naples, 28 June 1799.

NELSON, Horatio, Viscount (1758-1805). Autograph set of orders signed ('Nelson & Bronte') to Captain [Alexander Wilmot] Schomberg, Senior Captain at Malta, Victory , 25 November 1804, one page , 4to (228 x 183mm) , (remains of mount on verso).

Horatio Nelson, Viscount Nelson (1758-1805)

Autograph letter signed ('Nelson & Bronte') to Captain [Henry] Blackwood, Victory , 14 October 1805

NELSON, Horatio, Viscount (1758-1805). Autograph letter signed ('Horatio Nelson'), with his right hand, to Sir William Hamilton [Ambassador to Naples], Leghorn, 20 May 1796, 2 pages, 4to , bifolium, docket (traces of paste to inner margin). Provenance : Christie's, 20 June 1990, lot 202.

NELSON, Horatio, Viscount (1758-1805). Autograph letter signed ('Nelson & Bronte') to Rear Admiral [Sir Alexander Inglis] Cochrane, Victory , 4 June 1805, 3 pages, 4to , bifolium, dockets (minor damp-staining). Provenance : Phillips, 24 October 1985, lot 468.

NELSON, Horatio, Viscount (1758-1805). Document signed ('Nelson & Bronte'), orders addressed to John Oakes Hardy, captain of the Zealous , Victory off Cadiz, 1 October 1805, attractive engraved heading recording Nelson's titles and rank, text in the hand of Nelson's secretary John Scott, and countersigned by him, two pages, folio , bifolium, docket (soiling and minor wear to integral blank).

NELSON. Autograph letter signed ('Nelson & Bronte') to [the commander-in-chief in the Mediterranean], Major General William Anne Villettes, Victory , 3 August 1804, 6 pages, 4to , on bifolia, docketed on last blank by recipient.

NELSON, Horatio, Viscount (1758-1805). Autograph letter signed ('Horatio Nelson'), with his right hand, to Admiral Samuel Hood, 1st Viscount Hood, commander of the Mediterranean fleet, 'Battery', noon, 7 July 1794, 2 pages, 8vo , bifolium, docket (small tear along base of central fold, remnant of seal). Provenance : Christie's, 20 June 1990, lot 199.

NELSON, Horatio, Viscount (1758-1805). Autograph letter signed ('Nelson & Bronte') to Mr Walterstorff, St George , Kioge Bay, 16 June 1801, 1½ pages, large 4to , address panel signed (minor soiling).

[NELSON, Horatio, Viscount (1758-1805)] – NELSON’S QUILL PEN.

NELSON, Horatio, Viscount (1758-1805). Autograph letter signed ('Bronte Nelson') to Sir William Hamilton, n.p., 28 February 1800, one page, 4to , bifolium, docket (trace of guard, minor spotting). Provenance : Alfred Morrison collection, II, 464 -- Edwin Wolf 2nd collection -- Christie's, 21 June 1989, lot 231 -- Sotheby's, 18 July 1991, lot 432.

NELSON, Horatio, Viscount (1758-1805). A set of sixteen 'Weekly account[s] of the R[igh]t Hon[oura]ble Sir W[illia]m Hamilton, and the R[igh]t Hon[oura]ble Lord Visc[oun]t Nelson', 21 June 1802 - 4 April 1803 (with gaps), two signed by Nelson, 'Paid by Lord Nelson Feb[rua]ry 9 [March 12th] 1803 Nelson & Bronte', two others with financial calculations in Nelson's hand, all accounts signed by Francis White (presumably Hamilton's steward), together 16 pages, folio , the majority on bifolia, dockets.

NELSON, Horatio, Viscount Nelson (1758-1805). Autograph letter signed ('Horatio Nelson') to Sir William Hamilton, n.p., 12 August 1798, informing him that as 'the greater part of this Squadron is going down the Med[iterranean]' they will not be requiring supplies of bread and wine ordered, promising to settle this 'if ever I live to see Naples' and concluding with the gratifying news that 'the French Army have got a complaint amongst them caused by the heat & nothing but water which will make Egypt the grave of the greater part', one page, 4to , integral blank, detached autograph address leaf, with signature, laid onto card and tipped on. Provenance : Morrison Collection (1894), vol.II, no.331; collection of Edwin Wolf 2nd; his sale, Christie's, 20 June 1990, lot 207; private collection.

NELSON, Horatio, Viscount (1758-1805). Autograph letter signed ('Nelson') to Rear Admiral John Thomas Duckworth, Palermo, 12 April 1799.

NELSON, Horatio, Viscount (1758-1805). Autograph letter signed ('Nelson & Bronte') to Alleyne Fitzherbert, Baron St Helens, Ambassador in St Petersburg, St George off Bornholm, 22 May 1801, one page, folio (316 x 203mm) , bifolium (traces of paste to upper margin of integral blank).

NELSON, Horatio, Viscount Nelson (1758-1805). Autograph letter signed ('Nelson & Bronte') to Rear Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane [commander-in-chief at the Leeward Islands], Victory , 29 May 1805, 'Should the Enemy's combined Squadron have called at Martinico and taken the Squadron which came from Rochford with them their force will be 24 Sail of the Line, it will therefore be necessary for me to take the whole of your Squadron with me and then I shall only be 16 Sail of the Line; If any Island within your Command be their Object of Attack of course you will proceed with the fleet', but should they aim for Jamaica Cochrane will have the choice of either pursuing or shifting his flag to a frigate so that Nelson may have the advantage of his ships of the line, 3 pages, 4to , dockets. Provenance : Phillips sale, 24 October 1985, lot 467.

Horatio Nelson, Viscount Nelson (1758-1805)

Autograph letter signed ('Nelson & Bronte') to Rear-Admiral [Alexander] Cochrane, Victory [off Toulon], 12 September 1804

Horatio, Viscount Nelson (1768-1805)

Letter to George Galway Mills. 2 April 1799

NELSON, Horatio, Viscount Nelson (1758-1805). Autograph letter signed ('Nelson') to Rear Admiral John Thomas Duckworth (his second in command), n.p. [Naples], 22 July 1799, marked 'Most Secret', 'Lord K[eith] ... has lost the Combined Fleet means to follow them to Ireland if necessary has directed me to take care of Minorca', for which purpose Duckworth is to take 5 vessels, but without marines; 'I mean the ships to sail tomorrow night, say for Leghorn ... You are to dine ashore', one page, 4to , endorsed on verso by recipient. Provenance : Phillips, 18 March 1993, lot 31; private collection.

NELSON, Horatio, Viscount (1758-1805). Autograph letter signed (‘Nelson’, as Baron Nelson of the Nile) to Sir Sidney Smith and Spencer Smith, ‘His Majesty’s Joint Ministers to the Ottoman Porte’, Palermo, 12 March 1799, 3 pages, 4to (225 x 183mm) , on a bifolium, docket, tipped onto an album leaf, with two engraved portraits laid down on a separate leaf. Provenance : from the autograph collection of the diplomat Sir Francis Clare Ford (1828-1899).

NELSON, Horatio, Viscount (1758-1805). Autograph letter signed ('Nelson & Bronte') to [Sir William Stewart], London, 3 July 1801, expressing his strong feelings of friendship and frustration at not being able to help Stewart more, 'I have not faild speaking of you to Mr Addington in the truest manner, indeed to say the truth Mr Addington seem'd truly sensible of your extraordinary merit, believe me I shall for life feel proud in having formed your acquaintance'; Nelson sends regards to his friends in the Baltic (including Captain Hardy), and discusses his misgivings about Sir Hyde Parker's intention of seeking a court of enquiry or court martial to clear his own conduct in the Baltic, 'Sir H.P. says his friends advise him to these measures, I believe they are his real enemies, & always I had and always shall have a real respect for Sir Hyde', one page, folio , on a bifolium, docket.

NELSON, Horatio, Viscount (1758-1805). Autograph letter signed ('Nelson') to Spencer Smith, Foudroyant , Naples, 25 July 1799.

Horatio Nelson, Viscount Nelson (1758-1805)

Autograph letter signed ('Nelson & Bronte') to George Rose, Albemarle Street, [London], 29 August 1805

NELSON, Horatio, Viscount Nelson (1758-1805). Autograph letter signed ('Nelson & Bronte') to Sir Richard Bickerton, 2nd Bart (his second in command), Victory [off Toulon], 6 September 1804, communicating his intention to stand inshore before standing out again in the evening, 'merely to take a look who are out for I think they will now push to the Westw[ar]d and if they should get out of the Straights [of Gibraltar] I think they will push for the West Indies and then with 7000 Troops farewell our Islands'; a postscript refers to the recent death of Viscount Duncan (the victor of Camperdown), whose son is serving with Bickerton, 'perhaps it is better not to say anything', one page, 4to , bifolium. Provenance : Edwin Wolf 2nd collection; Christie's, 21 June 1989, lot 264; private collection.

NELSON, Horatio, Viscount Nelson (1758-1805). Document signed ('Nelson'), Foudroyant , Naples Bay, 22 July 1799, orders addressed to Rear Admiral John Thomas Duckworth, instructing him to proceed to Mahon (Minorca) with the ships Powerful, Majestic and Vanguard and the corvette Swallow , and to take command of any other naval vessels he finds there, 'leaving it entirely to your well known abilities and Judgement to Act with them in the best manner for the protection of that Island and the good of His Majesty's Service', one page, folio , docketed on verso.

NELSON, Horatio, Viscount (1758-1805). Autograph document in 3rd person, signed (in postscript, with initials, 'N. & B.'), Victory , 25 September 1804, one page, 4to , integral blank. Provenance : Phillips, 18 March 1993, lot 34; private collection.

NELSON, Horatio, Viscount (1758-1805). Autograph letter signed (with the right hand, 'Horatio Nelson') to Thomas Pollard (merchant in Leghorn), n.p. [Bastia], 4 May 1794, ordering 'some good Tea and Sugar, also some Wine Glasses & Common plates', sending news of some acquaintances, 'Duncan is hard at Work making a new battery', a footnote ordering some black pepper and mustard, one page, 4to , integral address panel, docket, window-mounted (wear to mount); with a cut signature of William Pitt the Elder.

NELSON, Horatio, Viscount (1756-1805). Autograph letter signed ('Nelson & Bronte') to [Elizabeth, Lady Collier], Merton, 24 October 1801, one page, 4to ; with a separate autograph address leaf to Lady Collier.

NELSON, Horatio, Viscount (1758-1805). Letter signed ('Nelson') to Sir John Acton, Vanguard , Palermo, 18 March 1799, requesting confirmation of his note sent to Nelson and William Hamilton proclaiming that 'His Sicilian Majesty must consider those once beloved subjects as Rebels' in order to grant the agents to the captors of [French vessel] La Grazia the right to 'the sale of the Vessel and Cargo as a lawful Prize', one page , folio (323 x 200mm) , bifolium; [ With, enclosed :] Letter to Nelson from the aforementioned agents, 13 March 1799, stating that they have 'undoubted proof' that the vessel belongs to enemies of the British and Sicilian crowns and asking him to confirm the legality of taking their prize, two pages, folio , bifolium.

NELSON, Horatio, Viscount (1758-1805). Autograph manuscript memorandum [addressed to the Prime Minister, Henry Addington, Viscount Sidmouth], n.p. [London], n.d. [23 April 1803], complaining of his unequal financial treatment relative to his fellow victorious admirals Earl St Vincent and Viscount Duncan.

Horatio Nelson, Viscount Nelson (1758-1805)

Autograph letter signed ('Nelson & Bronte') to Admiral Alan Gardner, 1st Baron Gardner, Victory, 19 April 1805

NELSON, Horatio, Viscount (1758-1805). Autograph letter signed ('Nelson & Bronte') to Sir William Stewart, Merton, 28 September 1802, railing against the hypocrisy of the 'Modern Politician': he commiserates with Stewart's difficulties in confronting the ingratitude of those 'who ought to have done everything to support an officer who had so well supported them but I am almost convinced that gratitude for past favors forms no part of the plan of a Modern Politician ... I am truly vext my Dear Stewart at their treatment of you but the time may come when your assistance may be wanted and then we shall find the difference in their conduct', concluding with expressions of warm friendship, and an invitation to Merton, 2½ pages, 4to , bifolium (blank lower margin of f.2 cut away, with some loss to address panel).

Horatio Nelson, Viscount Nelson (1758-1805)

Autograph letter signed (‘Horatio Nelson’), with his right hand, to Admiral Hood, ‘Camp’ [near Calvi, Corsica], 6 July 1794

NELSON, Horatio, Viscount (1758-1805). Document signed ('Nelson & Bronte'), orders addressed to Admiral Sir Thomas Graves, St George , Kioge Bay, 5 May 1801, 'You are hereby required and directed to put yourself under my Command, and obey all such Orders and Instructions as you shall from time to time receive from me', countersigned by Thomas Wallis, one page, folio , on a bifolium, docketed by Graves with number '9'.

Horatio Nelson, Viscount Nelson (1758-1805)

Autograph letter signed ('Nelson & Bronte') to Thomas Bolton, Merton, 21 April 1802

NELSON, Horatio, Viscount (1758-1805). Autograph note signed ('Nelson & Bronte') to an unidentified recipient ('My Dear Ad[mira]l'), place illegible, n.d. ('4 o'Clock'; docketed by recipient 18 August [1802]), 'The Vessels from Dunkirk are got into Calais this morning', half page, 4to .

NELSON, Horatio, Viscount (1758-1805). Autograph letter signed ('Nelson & Bronte') to John Jackson, n.p., 25 January 1801.

Horatio Nelson, Viscount Nelson (1758-1805)

Autograph letter signed (‘Bronte Nelson of the Nile') to Sir John Acton, 6th Baronet, [Palermo], 3 June 1800

NELSON, Horatio, Viscount (1758-1805). Document signed ('Horatio Nelson'), Boreas , St John's Road, Antigua, 21 June 1786.

NELSON, Horatio, Viscount (1758-1805). Letter signed ('Nelson & Bronte') to Rear Admiral Sir Richard Bickerton, 2nd Bt, Victory at Sea, 21 March 1804.

[NELSON, Horatio, Viscount (1758-1805) – Emma, Lady HAMILTON (1765-1815). Autograph letter signed ('Emma Hamilton') to Miss [Mary Anne] Scott, Merton, Surrey, 14 March n.y. [1804?].

AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION. A collection of letters by British politicians, colonial administrators, members of the royal family, bishops, aristocrats and others, 19th century, the signatures including Horatio, Viscount NELSON (autograph address wrapper signed, to Alexander Davison, Deal, 14 September 1801), Arthur Conan Doyle (card), Thomas Arnold (1825), Henry Brougham, C.M. Yonge, Ouida (2), Thomas Lefroy (the brief fiancé of Jane Austen) and others, altogether approximately 200 letters and 140 envelopes and cut signatures, in 4 albums, 4to and folio, leather-backed.