ADMIRAL LORD NELSON SIGNED LETTER
1804 or 1805
Dated "Victory Jan.ry 17th 7 pm" and signed "Nelson + Bronte", using part of Nelson's honorific title bestowed upon him by the Duke of Bronte in 1799. Written with Nelson's left hand rather than dictated to a secretary. Addressed to "My Dear Sir", but inscribed in lower margin "Capt. Keats"; Nelson is presumably writing to Admiral Sir Richard Goodwin Keats (1757ñ1834) of the H.M.S. Superb, one of his close confidants. (Of note, other letters from Nelson to Keats are part of the collection at the Royal Museums Greenwich.) Paper watermarked with the year 1803. Because it was written aboard the H.M.S. Victory, which Nelson commanded from May 18, 1803 to his death on October 21, 1805, during the battle of Trafalgar, we can presume the letter was written in January 1804 or 1805. Nelson writes "If you think it may be of any use to stand in tomorrow morning do so if not join me I will not give [illegible] iota of my original [illegible] demands ...". Includes certificate of authentication from John M. Reznikoff, University Archives, Wilton, Connecticut. Framed together with prints of the Victory and Nelson.

Provenance:
The Property of a Gentleman: The Estate of Peter Goldstein.

The absence of a condition report does not imply an object is free of defects. All items may have normal signs of age and wear commensurate with their age; these issues will likely not be mentioned in the condition report. Please contact Eldred's before the auction with any condition questions. Questions about condition will not be answered after purchase. Condition reports are provided as a courtesy, and we are not responsible for any errors or omissions. Important note on frames: Frames are not guaranteed to be in the same condition as they are in the item photograph. Due to handling and shipping, many frames, especially antique ones, are prone to losses. If you have questions about the condition of a frame, please contact us prior to the auction.