Nelson Collection for Auction
Napoleonic News Desk
by Paul Chamberlain
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SOTHEBY'S has announced that it has been instructed to offer for sale a long-lost collection that is the last historic collection directly associated with Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson ever likely to appear on the market. Nelson: The Alexander Davison Collection will be sold on Trafalgar Day, October 21, 2002. The collection has been kept with the family of Alexander Davison, who wish to remain anonymous and hidden away for almost 200 years. The collection of Alexander Davison, who was Nelson's friend, treasurer and closest advisor, includes an astonishing group of precious objects, arms and swords, papers and relics with direct provenance to Nelson that have remained unknown to the world for almost two hundred years. From the time they first met, Davison always played a part in the extraordinary events of Nelson's life, although his influence has never been fully recognised. The discovery of this collection propels him to the forefront of the Nelson story. It will fascinate not only Nelson enthusiasts around the world, but everyone who sees Nelson as one of the great heroes of British history. Tom Pocock, Nelson's biographer, described the collection as: "The most remarkable Nelsonian archive and collection to be discovered for more than a century -- the letters give vibrant life to the famous story, those from his wife Fanny and his mistress, Emma Hamilton, charged with passionate immediacy." The collection unexpectedly came to light a year ago when Sotheby's Jewellery Director, Martyn Downer, was shown a magnificent diamond brooch, designed as an anchor, with the diamond set initials "H.N", in one of Sotheby's overseas offices. Dated circa 1800, it was probably presented to Nelson. It is estimated at £100,000-150,000. Subsequent research with the family revealed the remainder of the collection. Of particular interest and poignancy is the bloodstained silk purse that Nelson was carrying at the battle of Trafalgar when he died. The purse still contained the 21 gold coins that Nelson placed in it on the morning of his death. Untouched by the family in living memory, it would be hard to imagine a more emotive and intimate physical link with England's greatest Admiral and national hero. The discovery of Davison's extensive unpublished archive represents a highly significant contribution to the scholarship of Nelson's career. Of particular importance are 72 previously unknown highly revealing letters to Davison from Lady Nelson written between December 1798 and late 1800 in which she shares her feelings in utmost confidence and turns to Davison for advice with frequent expressions of gratitude. The series throws light on the personality of Frances Nelson, (known to her husband as Fanny), the wronged and virtually forgotten wife - whose reputation has been totally overshadowed by that of her glamorous rival in one of the world's most celebrated love stories. By 1801 Frances Nelson was evidently aware of her husband's relationship with Emma Hamilton and in one of the letters to Davison she expresses her concern: “... A want of confidence in keeping anything from you... I will relate to you a thing which seems nothing, but coming from Lady Hamilton I am certain some mischief is brewing...” Frances pleas with Davison for him to do anything in his power to restore to her the husband to whom she is as utterly devoted as ever: “I hope in God all you say will prove true... I can only say no woman can feel the least attention from a husband more than I do ...” This group of letters is estimated at £50,000-80,000. There are also several letters from Emma Hamilton about whom we know so much more. In one dated September 1805, during Nelson's last stay at their house and only weeks before Trafalgar, she refers to “one fortnight of joy and happiness I have had for years of pain... my Beloved Nelson is so delighted with Merton & now he is here 'tis a paradize...”. It is estimated at £5,000-7,000. In another letter written after the Battle of Trafalgar, she pours her heart out to Davison about the loss of her beloved Nelson: “I have been very ill all day my heart broken and my head consequently weak... I tell you truly... I am gone nor do I wish to live... he that I loved more than life He is gone... nothing gives me a gleam of comfort but the hope that I shall soon follow...” The letter is estimated at £9,000-12,000. A group of rare Arms includes a very rare example of a “Nile sword”, its gilt bronze hilt designed as a crocodile and with an enamelled depiction of the explosion of the French flagship at the Battle of the Nile. Such swords were made for members of the elite “Egyptian Club” whose membership was restricted to the ship's Captains who had fought at that famous battle and who presented a similar sword, in gold, to Nelson. Dated circa 1798, it is estimated at £40,000-60,000. For further details of this unique and rare collection of Nelsonian memorabilia, visit Sotheby's website at www.sothebys.com Napoleonic News Desk Back to Table of Contents -- First Empire #66 Back to First Empire List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 2002 by First Empire. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com |
Sotheby's To Sell Extraordinary Newly Discovered Nelson Collection That Has
Come To Light After 200 Years!