Description
SOTHEBY'S: NELSON: THE ALEXANDER DAVISON COLLECTION , LONDON, 10/21/02.
This post auction catalog consists of 213 pages with 93 lots all illustrated in color and all described in detail.
LORD HORATIO NELSON
This Catalogue is likely to become a REAL Collector's item Worldwide
ONE OF THE MOST TALKED ABOUT AUCTIONS OF 2002
October 21st, 2004 marked the start of the TRAFALGAR BICENTENARY YEAR - LORD NELSON'S HISTORIC VICTORY upon his Flagship 'HMS VICTORY' started more than a Century of unchallenged British Naval dominance of the world. During 2005, the celebration of Nelson's tremendous achievements will gain momentum and renewed attention. The price of this amazing book reflects the anticipated demand in 2005 - and the potential rise in value as the year goes on.
This has to be one of the most exciting British Auction Catalogues that I have been able to obtain. Held at Sotheby's in London, on October 21st, 2002 - this auction of Lord Horatio Nelson's possessions received intense media attention. Taken from the Preface to this stunning Hardback edition of the Auction Catalogue"
"Horatio Nelson...the first British hero..now the Alexander Davison collection is disclosed, the most significant discovery for more than a hundred years. To read these letters and documents, and to see the mementoes that Davison kept is strangely moving
Alexander Davison was Nelson's intimate friend, treasurer and advisor
"It was not only Nelson who confided in Davison but his wife, Fanny, and his mistress, Emma Hamilton, did so too....Then there are the belongings - Most memorably, the purse said to have been in his pocket at Trafalgar; the swords and the guns; the porcelain; and the dazzling diamond brooch bearing his initials, which still keeps its mystery
With over 200 pages, lavishly illustrated with stunning and quite breathtaking photographs of these pieces - this Catalogue has all the merits of an encyclopedia of 18th century British history.
This remarkable book would quite literally have a place in any Library; any School and most importantly any home. For anyone - young or old - this Auction Catalague provides much, much more than purely an insight into what was "Sold" by Sothebys. It provides an intensely moving pictorial and readable vision of the life of Lord Nelson. Every single page - from his letters regarding the famous 'two' women in his life - his wife Fanny, and his mistress Lady Emma Hamilton - right through to the now world famous bloodstained 'green purse' - is captivating.
The description of the latter - Lot 79 - reads as follows: LORD NELSON'S PURSE, CONTAINING THIRTEEN AND ONE THIRD GUINEAS IN GOLD, FROM THE ADMIRAL'S PERSONAL EFFECTS CARRIED ABOARD HMS VICTORY AT THE BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR AND AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH; PASSED TO ALEXANDER DAVISON IN DECEMBER 1805
With 93 Lots in total to read about and view - this book is far more than purely a Collectable. It is essentially a 'Biography' in graphic, intimate, and highly personal detail of Lord Nelson.
With the 200 year Anniversary of The Battle of Trafalgar approaching in 2005, the life of Lord Horatio Nelson (1758 - 1805) is gaining ever more interest in Britain as 2004 draws to a close. Aside from being a great addition to any historical collection of Nelson - this would be a wonderful gift to anyone
