TRAFALGAR

[Napier of Merchistoun: William John Napier, 9th Lord Napier of Merchistoun.] Long Autograph Letter Signed ‘To Colonel Napier / Royal Artillery’ [Charles Napier?], regarding genealogical matters, and with a Royal Navy reminiscence.

Author: 
Lord Napier of Merchistoun [William John Napier, 9th Lord Napier (1786-1834), Royal Navy officer and Chief Superintendant of Trade in China [Col. Charles Napier (d.1849), Royal Artillery?]
Publication details: 
‘Thirlestane - Selkirk Decr 19 / 1831’.
£220.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. The recipient is presumably the Captain Charles Napier (d.1849) of the Royal Artillery who ‘received eight wounds from the bursting of a shrapnel shell’ at Waterloo (see Dalton’s ‘Waterloo Roll Call’, p.194). 8pp, 4to. Closely and neatly written on two bifoliums. In good condition, lightly aged, but folded three times into a packet, and with some closed tears to the creases. Addressed ‘To Colonel Napier / Royal Artillery’ and with the valediction ‘I will now bid you adieu & subscribe myself / Yr very faithful Kinsman / Napier’.

[Rt Hon. Robert Gambier Middleton, Scottish Royal Navy officer who served under Nelson as Captain of HMS Flora.] Three Letters Signed, giving instructions to his midshipman on the Flora John Hawkins, one from Gibraltar.

Author: 
Rt Hon. Robert Gambier Middleton (1774-1837), Scottish Royal Navy officer who served under Nelson as Captain of HMS Flora, nephew of Admiral Lord Barham
Publication details: 
All three written from HMS Flora. ONE: ‘at Sea the 26 of June 1798’. TWO: ‘in Gibraltar Bay the 18th. July 1798’. THREE: ‘as Sea, the 28th. March 1800’.
£320.00

Providing a good view of the day-to-day practicalities of Nelson's navy. Middleton was the nephew of Admiral Lord Barham. In 1795 he removed from the Lowestoffe to the Flora, serving under the Nelson off Genoa in support of the Austrian Army, and during July 1796 at the occupation of Porto Ferrajo. All three 1p, foolscap, and somewhat discoloured and worn, the first and last with chipping at head, but all with text entire.

[Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, British naval hero.] Collection of contemporaneous material relating to him, including a range of related illustrations and magazine accounts, as well as manuscript poems and other matter.

Author: 
Lord Nelson [Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson; Admiral Lord Nelson], British naval hero whose victories include the Battle of Trafalgar, 1805, in which he died
Nelson
Publication details: 
Earliest item from 1799; several items from 1805. Mostly printed in London.
£850.00
Nelson

A nice collection, which both by its content and arrangement indicates the huge esteem in which Nelson was held. The material is in good condition, lightly aged, most items laid down on leaves of gilt-edged paper extracted from an album. Mostly 12mo. This description is arranged under fifteen numbered entries. The manuscript material is at No. 14. ONE: Engraving. ‘Plan of a MANSION HOUSE, proposed for Lord NELSON.’ ‘Gent[leman’s]. Mag[azine]. Feb. 1799. Pt. I. p.97’. Engraved by Longmate from Arthur Brown.

[Lord Nelson [Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson], British naval hero.] Collection of contemporaneous material relating to him, including a range of related illustrations and magazine accounts, as well as manuscript poems and other matter.

Author: 
Lord Nelson [Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson; Admiral Lord Nelson], British naval hero whose victories include the Battle of Trafalgar, 1805, in which he died
Nelson
Publication details: 
Earliest item from 1799; several items from 1805. Mostly printed in London.
£850.00
Nelson

A nice collection, which both by its content and arrangement indicates the huge esteem in which Nelson was held. The material is in good condition, lightly aged, most items laid down on leaves of gilt-edged paper extracted from an album. Mostly 12mo. This description is arranged under fifteen numbered entries. The manuscript material is at No. 14. ONE: Engraving. ‘Plan of a MANSION HOUSE, proposed for Lord NELSON.’ ‘Gent[leman’s]. Mag[azine]. Feb. 1799. Pt. I. p.97’. Engraved by Longmate from Arthur Brown.

[ Vice Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood. ] Contemporary manuscript official copy letter to Vice Admiral Duckworth, regarding Royal Navy ships in the Mediterranean respecting the neutrality of Portuguese ships. With manuscript extract from treaty.

Author: 
Vice Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood (1748-1810), 1st Baron Collingwood, commander at Trafalgar after Nelson's death [Sir William Richard Cosway; Sir John Thomas Duckworth (1748-1817), 1st Baronet]
Publication details: 
'Given on board the Ocean off Cadiz |12th. August 1806'.
£180.00

Both items in very good condition, on lightly-aged paper. ONE: Copy letter. 2pp., folio. On paper with watermark 'JOHN HOWARD | 1804'. Ends: 'To | Sir J. T. Duckworth K.B. | Vice Admiral of the White | &ca. &ca. &ca. | Given on board the Ocean off Cadiz | 12th. August 1806 | (signed) Collingwood | By Command of the Vice Admiral | (signed) W R Cosway | A Copy'.

[Lady Londonderry [Castlereagh; Lord Nelson; Trafalgar]] COPY (just contemporary) Letter on the death of Lord Nelson. From Lady Londonderry to her Son, Lord Castlereagh November 13th 1805.

Author: 
Lady Londonderry [Castlereagh; Lord Nelson; Trafalgar]
Publication details: 
Original letter, 13 Nov. 1805. Watermark on this copy, Bally & Co Bath, 1808.
£150.00

Two Pages, 4to, bifolium, remnants of tipping in process, good condition. A variant text, differing from the text thrown up by Googlebooks(no doubt itself a variant!). (Original letter appears to be in the BL, Add MSS 31022, f.14- not consulted). It omits Lady Castlereagh's initial sentence (in the version found (on Google) in The Naval Battles of Great Britain (it appears standard): I thank you a thousand times for your interesting letter. Then minor changes.

[Captain George Richards, Royal Marines.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Geo. Richards'), sending his likeness and describing his service: '23 Actions' including 'the death of Nelson and Abercrombie', serving under Wellington in Peninsular War.

Author: 
Captain George Richards (d.1866), Royal Marines, meritorious British Army officer [Solihull, Warwickshire]
Publication details: 
16 September 1863. Solihull [Warwickshire].
£150.00

1p, 12mo. In fair condition, aged and creased. Folded twice. Written in a shaky hand, as explained by the text: 'My dear Sir / | Agreeable to promise I send my Likeness, I wish it was something worthy of your acceptance - suffice it to say the original saw the death of Nelson and Abercrombie. Served under Wellington in the Spanish peninsular War, attended his funeral, and from 1797 to 1814 was by Sea and Land in 23 Actions[.] I am well in health but cannot see what I write - My sincere love to Mrs. Macwey - God bless you'.

[Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Dundas, Royal Navy officer who distinguished himself at Trafalgar.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Thomas Dundas') to Sir John Philippart, regarding his writing of an article for the Naval and Military Gazette.

Author: 
Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Dundas (1765-1841), Royal Navy officer in American War of Independence, French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, and at Battle of Trafalgar [Sir John Philippart]
Publication details: 
Falkirk. 11 January 1832.
£220.00

3pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with traces of mount, and red wax seal, adhering to the reverse of the second leaf, which is franked (the franker's name and signature illegible) to 'Sir John Phippart [sic] | &c &c | No 8 New Burlington St'. Slight loss to one corner of second leaf, from breaking open of seal, with damage to one word of text.

[Lady Louisa Hardy, wife of Sir Thomas Hardy, Captain of HMS Victory at Battle of Trafalgar.] Autograph Letter in the third person to 'Mr Lahee' (the auctioneer Samuel Lahee), concerning Hardy's consent to requirements in a new house

Author: 
Lady Louisa Emily Anna Hardy (1788-1877), wife of Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy (1769-1839)], Royal Navy officer, Captain of HMS Victory at Battle of Trafalgar [Samuel Lahee]
Publication details: 
9 Queen Street, Mayfair [London]. 15 October [no year].
£250.00

Hardy is immortalised in Nelson's dying request 'Kiss me, Hardy.' Lady Hardy was the daughter of Admiral Sir George Cranfield Berkeley (1753-1818). 3pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with parts of red wax seal and traces of glue from mount on reverse of second leaf, which is addressed 'To | Mr Lahee | 65. New Bond Street'. Folded once.

[Nelson describes his victory at the Battle of Copenhagen.] 'Extraordinary' number of 'The London Gazette', containing accounts of the engagement by Nelson and his commanding officer Sir Hyde Parker.

Author: 
Admiral Lord Nelson [Horatio Nelson] (1758-1805); Sir Hyde Parker (1739-1807), Royal Navy admiral, Nelson's superior at the Battle of Copenhagen, 1801
Publication details: 
Number 15454. 'Printed by ANDREW STRAHAN, Printers Street, Gough Square. [London]' 15 April 1801.
£280.00

4pp, 8vo, paginated 401-404. Originally a bifolium, but with the leaves separated. In fair condition, lightly aged, with each leaf carrying in a margin a strip of paper from the mount. Several fold lines. Page one carries the half-penny tax stamp. In small print and double column. The entire number concerns the battle. Begins: 'Admiralty-Office, April 15, 1801.

[Sir Edwin Landseer, painter and sculptor of animals.] Autograph Letter Signed ('E Landseer.') regarding 'the Lions Heads' - presumably the bronze statues of lions at the base of Nelson's Column, Trafalgar Square, London.

Author: 
Sir Edwin Landseer (1802-1873), English painter and sculptor noted for his treatment of animals, such as 'The Monarch of the Glen' and the lion sculptures in Trafalgar Square, London
Publication details: 
Undated. On his letterhead, St John's Wood Road, N.W. [London] [before 1867?]
£180.00

1p, 12mo. On bifolium. Printed on grey-blue paper, with letterhead printed in orange-red, without Landseer's name, but with his stag's head motif. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with thin strip from stub mount adhering to blank second leaf. Folded twice. The recipient is not named. Apparently referring to his bronze sculptures of the four lions at the base of Nelson's column (installed in 1867), the letter reads: 'My Dear Sir | Many thanks for your obliging Note and kind attention to the Lions Heads – I can't leave home Tomorrow before 4. oc when I shall go to B.

[ Thomas Hardy, RN ] Autograph Note, third person, to Joseph Glynn, Civil Engineer, thanking him for a Print by the latter..

Author: 
Rear Admiral Sir Thomas Hardy [ Thomas Masterman Hardy, sometime Captain of the "Victory" under Nelson ], Governor, Greenwich Hospital.
Publication details: 
Greenwich Hospital, 27 November 1834.
£180.00

One page, 12mo, fold marks, signs on being tipped into an album, good conition. "Rear Admiral Sir Thomas Hardy presents his Compliments to Mr. Glynn and begs to return his best thanks for a Print of a Bridge over the River Aire."

[ William Powell Frith invites Sir Edwin Landseer to 'tea-supper smoke-whist'. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('W. P. Frith') from Frith to Landseer, inviting him to an evening with 'a few artists & others'.

Author: 
W P. Frith [ William Powell Frith ] (1819-1909), RA, Victorian genre painter [ Sir Edwin Landseer (1802-1873), painter and sculptor, mainly of animals
Publication details: 
On his letterhead, 10 Pembridge Villas, Bayswater, W. [ London ] 13 March 1862.
£80.00

2pp., 12mo. On bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged, with minor damage in margin at the gutter of the second leaf caused by removal from stub. Addressed to 'Sir Edwin Landseer RA | &c &c'. A week from the writing of the letter Frith is expecting 'a few artists & others to tea-supper smoke-whist &c'. He explains that the group usually meets 'about eight supper at ten or half past. We should all be pleased if you can be induced to give us the pleasure of your company.

[ Admiral Sir Philip Charles Durham, British naval hero. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('P. C. Durham') to a Sea Lord, complaining of his treatment following the capture of Guadeloupe, and seeking preferment for his nephew.

Author: 
Admiral Sir Philip Charles Durham [ Admiral Sir Philip Charles Calderwood Henderson Durham ] (1763-1845), Royal Navy officer in the American War of Independence and Napoleonic Wars
Publication details: 
[ From Guadeloupe ('this Country') .] 15 August [ 1815 ]. No place.
£650.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. Docketed on reverse of second leaf: '15 Augt. 1815. | Sir P. C. Durham'. According to the DNB, Durham, having 'cleared the West Indies of American cruisers', 'in June and August 1815 co-operated in the reduction of Martinique and Guadeloupe, at which place the last French flag was struck to Durham, as the first had been'.

[ Admiral Northesk; Trafalgar; Bullen ] Autograph Note Signed "Northesk" to the Honourable William Cornwallis, Admiral of the White, e&c.

Author: 
Admiral William Carnegie, 7th Earl of Northesk GCB (1758–1831)
Publication details: 
Bri[tannia] - off Ushant Aug. 14th 1805.
£750.00

One page, 15x 16cm, obviously lower half of a larger piece of paper (indicating a shortage of paper onboard?), with some illegible writing just showing at top. " Sir, | I have the Honor to enclose a letter from Capt. Bullen desiring to be superseded in the command of this ship, which I request may be transmitted to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty [...]". Note: Apparently Bullen (see Wikipedia) who served in the American War of Independence like Northesk, and had a distinguished naval career, kept his post.

[ Cleveland; T.M. Hardy ] Autograph Letter Signed "Cleveland" to [ Thomas Masterman Hardy, Governor of Greenwich Hospital. ]

Author: 
William Henry Vane, Ist Duke of Cleveland
Publication details: 
Newmarket, 13 April 1834
£180.00

Two pages, 4to, bifolium, good condition. He has waited for the appearance of the "London Gazette" to make his approach [presumably the announcement that Hardy was to be Governor of Greenwich Hospital] , and "not take the liberty of waiting upon you at the Admiralty".

[ Sir Charles Barry, architect who worked on the Houses of Parliament and Trafalgar Square. ] Autograph Signature ('Charles Barry').

Author: 
Sir Charles Barry (1795-1860), English architect who worked on the Houses of Parliament and Trafalgar Square
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated.
£20.00

On 3 x 11 cm slip of paper. In fair condition, lightly aged. Cut from the end of a letter. Good firm signature. Reads: 'Yours faithfully | Charles Barry'.

[ Royal Navy in the age of Nelson. ] 'A true Copy', in manuscript, of Harvey Bateson's appointment as 'Lieutenant on the Board the Amelia 7th. day of Novr. 1804.', with Autograph Letter Signed from Bateson to his uncle Sir Robert Bateson Harvey.

Author: 
Lieutenant Harvey Bateson (d.1805), RN, nephew of Sir Robert Bateson Harvey of Langley Park [ Admiral Hood [ Sir Samuel Hood ] (1762-1814) ]
Publication details: 
Bateson's letter from 'Budge Town Barbadoes', undated, but received 'after his Death Apl. 1805.' Copy document undated, but original dated 7 November 1804.
£100.00

Both items in good condition, lightly aged and worn. Bateson's letter is 3pp., 4to. On a bifolium, addressed on reverse of second leaf to 'Sir Robert Bateson Harvey Bart. | Langley Park | near Uxbridge Bucks | England'. Docketted on same page: 'Harvey Bateson | Barbadoes | Recd after his Death | Apl. 1805'. He conveys the news of his appointment, thanks his uncle, and reports: 'We are waiting in expectation of a Spanish War and as the Amelia sails will I dare say we shall make something'.

[ Sir Edwin Landseer, painter and sculptor. ] Autograph Signature ('E Landseer.').

Author: 
Sir Edwin Landseer [ Sir Edwin Henry Landseer ] (1802-1873), English artist and sculptor, best known for his works depicting animals
Publication details: 
Without place or date.
£20.00

Good, bold underlined signature in brown ink on 4 x 6 cm piece of paper. In good condition, with light signs of age and wear. Laid down on piece of thick paper, on the reverse of which are traces of grey paper mount. Presumably cut from a letter.

[ George Adams, English sculptor. ] Autograph draft of invitation by 'Mr. George S. Adams, Sculptor' to a private view, with separate piece of paper carrying autograph transcription of poetical quotation.

Author: 
George Adams [ George Gammon Adams ] (1821-1898), English sculptor
Publication details: 
Both items undated. Draft invitation giving address 126 Sloane Street [ London ].
£90.00

Draft invitation on both sides of landscape 12mo (11 x 18 cm) piece of paper. In fair condition, lighly aged. A rough draft, apparently for the design of a printed card. The main effort, on one page, reads: 'Mr. Geo. G. Adams, Sculptor, | Solicits the honor of a call, from | [wavy line] | to inspect his | [two wavy lines] | Private view on the [wavy line] | 126, Sloane Street.' There is the start of another attempt on the reverse. The poetical quotation is on one side of a 5 x 18 cm strip of paper, laid down on a paper backing. In fair condition, aged and worn.

[Royal Navy] Clipped Signature, "WParker | Admiral".

Author: 
Admiral William Parker (1781-1866), naval officer in Nelson's time and beyond.
Publication details: 
No place or date
£25.00

Paper, blue, 9 x 5cm, irregular shape, sl. chipped in two places, mainly good conditon. On the verso, the words "Gentlemen I beg [...] the receip[t?]".

Typescript, with autograph corrections, of an essay titled 'A Thought About Christmas. Laurens van der Post', written for a magazine edited by Rev. Austin Williams, Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields, and with two Typed Letters Signed to Williams.

Author: 
Laurens van der Post (1906-1996), South African author [Rev. Austin Williams (1912-2001), Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields]
Publication details: 
The two letters both from 13 Cadogan Street, Chelsea [London]; 11 May 1959 and 12 October 1962.
£450.00

The three items in good condition, on lightly-aged paper; the essay and first letter having punch-holes in the margin. The essay is 3pp., foolscap 8vo. The title, corrections and emendations are all in van der Post's hand. 'To someone like myself who believes that coincidence is the manifestation of a great law of which we are not yet properly aware, this timing of the birth of Christ is not accidental.

Sixteen scrapbook volumes, containing Newman's contributions (on naval subjects) and reflecting his interests.

Author: 
Commander Robert Amyett Newman (1793-1883), RN, the ‘last surviving officer of the Flying Squadron of the Trafalgar Fleet'
Publication details: 
1836-1883
£800.00

Sixteen scrapbook volumes, 1836-1883, containing, among a mass of press cuttings over more than 2000 pages, numerous contributions by Newman to newspapers, as well as autograph copies of his letters to the editor of the Naval and Military Gazette under the pseudonym ‘Nauticus’. The newspapers featured include the Devonport Independent, Weekly True Sun, Kentish Gazette, Folkestone Express, Devonport Telegraph, Kensington and Chelsea News.

Scrapbooks of the ‘last surviving officer of the Flying Squadron of the Trafalgar Fleet’.

Author: 
Commander Robert Amyett Newman (1793-1883), RN
Publication details: 
1836-1883
£800.00

Sixteen scrapbook volumes, 1836-1883, containing, among a mass of press cuttings over more than 2000 pages, numerous contributions by Newman to newspapers, as well as autograph copies of his letters to the editor of the Naval and Military Gazette under the pseudonym ‘Nauticus’. The newspapers featured include the Devonport Independent, Weekly True Sun, Kentish Gazette, Folkestone Express, Devonport Telegraph, Kensington and Chelsea News.

Printed form headed 'Royal Naval College,' not filled in, which when completed is intended to give 'an account' of the 'progress' made by an individual 'in his studies at this establishment'.

Author: 
[Royal Naval College, Portsmouth; Royal Navy; naval and maritime; the Admiralty]
Publication details: 
Without date or place [early nineteenth century].
£150.00

Folio bifolium (dimensions of leaf roughly 32 x 20 cm): one page, with the reverse of the leaf and the whole of the second leaf of the bifolium blank. Unbound. Good, on lightly aged and creased laid paper with a Britannia watermark. Eighteen lines of text, mostly taken up with comments on the teaching at the College of Latin and Greek, followed by an 'Extract from the General Report transmitted to the Admiralty Office' with room for the Student's name, his date of admission, and progress in mathematics, English, Latin and Greek, History and Geography, French and Drawing.

Oda en elogio de la Marina Española, por Doña María Rosa de Galvez.

Author: 
Dona María Rosa de Gálvez [Maria Rosa Galvez de Cabrera] (1768-1806)
Publication details: 
Madrid: En la Imprenta de Repullés. 1806.
£100.00

4to, 12 pp. Disbound and stitched. Very good. The poem covers pp. 3-11, with five 'Notas' on p. 12. Scarce (in the Anglo-Saxon world at least): COPAC only lists a copy at the British Library. Includes a passage on Nelson and 'el feroz Britano'. No copy found in Sanish Union Catalogue etc. (accessed through German Union Catalogue).

Poemata, quae de praemio Oxoniensibus posito Annis 1806, 1807, et 1808, infeliciter contenderunt; non in publicum edita, amicis tantum privatim deferenda.

Author: 
[Abraham John Valpy (1787-1854); Pembroke College, Oxford; Trafalgar]
Publication details: 
[London] Londini: In Aedibus Valpianis, Pridie Idus Octobres, 1809. [A. J. Valpy]
£120.00

Octavo: [ii] + [41] + [1] pp. A little dogeared, on lightly aged paper, and with slight damp staining to one corner at rear. In worn and stained original grey wraps, repaired with strip of brown paper at spine. Three Latin poems by Valpy: 'Trafalgar', 'Plata Fluvius' and 'Delphi'. COPAC lists only three copies: at the British Library, the Bodleian and Durham.

Manuscript (possibly part) signed by Strachan and his Gunner, Tho. Lampen.

Author: 
Admiral Sir Richard J. Strachan (as Captain of the "Diamond"[?])
Publication details: 
01/07/96
£750.00

Manuscript, two pages, small folio, good condition, [PAGE ONE] headed "Small Stores Expended in July 1796 , columnised as follows: For what Use Expended (For cleaning the Arms/ Lost amd Broke/ Broke and Unserviceable/ For greasing the Gun trucks & c/ Worn out / For wads and sizings / Burnt); Quality (Oil, priming horns, [Basschings?], tallow, baskets, junk, match); Quantity (Half gallon, etc.).

Manuscript list of the Governors of Watsons Hospital, Edinburgh.

Author: 
[ John Clerk of Eldin ]
Publication details: 
Dated 1764 (Ist Dec.)
£250.00

Author of "Essay on Naval Tactics", etc (see DNB) influential on Rodney and Nelson. The manuscript, comprising the list of 22 names, double column, and other notes on both sides of a 12mo page, torn on folds but complete, is mounted on a larger page. Notes in another hand say thta it was a "Leaf from a scrap Book in the handwriting of John Clark [sic] of Eldin, father of the late Lord Eldin - 1760 &c. Author of 'Logarithms' and of the plan by which Lord Nelson cut through the combined Fleet at Trafalgar - 21st Oct: 1805."

Autograph Letter Signed [to R. Byham of the Ordnance Office].

Author: 
Admiral Sir Edward Campbell Rich Owen
Publication details: 
Windlesham Bagshot | 14 July 1835'.
£120.00

English admiral who 'while in command of the "Immortalite" captured and destroyed many French gunboats and privateers, 1802-5' (DNB).Two pages, 12mo. Good though grubby, and with blank second leaf of bifoliate cut down to a stub. Thanks Byham for 'all your kindness'. 'I shall have an opportunity of expressing my good wishes & those of Lady Owen to Mrs. Byham & yourself whenever you can seize a moments holiday'. Gives directions. '[...] At the 24th.

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