NELSON HORATIO: (1758-1805) British Admiral during the Napoleonic Wars, the victor of the Battle of Trafalgar ...

NELSON HORATIO: (1758-1805) British Admiral during the Napoleonic Wars, the victor of the Battle of Trafalgar, 1805. An excellent L.S., in the extremely rare form Bronte Nelson of the Nile, one page, 4to, Vienna, 23rd September 1800. The document states in full `Whenever Mr. Fuger delivers to Mr. Hertz the Banker three Pictures Viz: One full length of the Queen of Naples. One full length of Lady Hamilton & one quarter of a length of Lord Nelson of the Nile. Then Mr. Hertz is to pay Mr. Fuger the sum of two hundred & fifty Pounds Sterling, for which Mr. Hertz will have the goodness to draw bills on Lord Nelson in London.´ With integral address leaf in Nelson´s hand and also signed ('B. N. N.') by him with his initials. A letter of unusual content and featuring an extremely rare and desirable form of Nelson's signature and initials. Some light overall age wear and a very small area of paper loss to the address leaf as a result of the original breaking of the red wax seal. About VG  £3000-4000    

 

Friedrich Heinrich Fuger (1751-1818) German Portrait Painter. 

The painting of Nelson referred to in the present letter is the only known image of the Admiral in civilian dress and currently hangs in the National Portrait Gallery in London. The oil painting was acquired by the Gallery in 1859. 

Nelson and his mistress, Emma Hamilton, both sat for Fuger in 1800 shortly after their arrival in Vienna from Naples following the victorious Battle of the Nile in 1798. At this time Nelson had achieved phenomenal fame and the couple were feted by thousands wherever they went. 

American Book Prices Current record only a very small handful of letters signed by Nelson with his title 'Bronte Nelson of the Nile' as having previously appeared at auction.