Nelson & His World

A Nelson letter is up for sale - estimate £7000 - £10,000. I have an interest in Nelson letters as I have one of my own; not that I would dream of selling it.


https://www.clactonandfrintongazette.co ... es-hammer/

Hi Anna

The Nelson letter sold for the upper valuation of £10,000

What is the date of your letter? Is it one listed in any of the published letter collections ?

Phil

Hi Phil:

Many thanks for the update.

My letter is dated May 22nd 1800. It was written to Alexander Ball while Nelson was cruising off Malta aboard the Foudroyant, and gives its position, by way of an address at the head of the letter, as Gozo, 7 lgs [leagues] SE.

I'm a computer numpty but will try and get someone to post an image and transcript soon.

The letter has not been published in a major collection but I did give permission for a transcript to appear in a small exhibition honouring Alexander Ball a few years ago.

My clever friend Dave has uploaded this image - in case you can't read it, I'll post a transcript when I get home.

Here's a transcript of the text:

My dear Ball,

I know you will be sorry to part with Troubridge, but I think his naval business is so well arrainged [sic] that his Lts [lieutenants] can carry it on perfectly well under Martin's directions. I hope the fall of the Vallette will soon happen and so far your labours finish but for the happiness of the poor Islanders I wish your stay may be prolonged, never never will they agn [again] be so honourably governed. From my heart I wish you every happiness and as far as my voice will be attended to, your great merits shall be known in England. Lord Keith has sent the Prs [Princess] Charlotte to carry me to England but I have other arraingements [sic] which I am not apt to alter.

May God bless you my dear Ball in whch real wish join our good Sir William and Lady Hamilton and with kind regards to Macauly, beleive me ever your most obliged and affetionate friend,

Bronte Nelson of the Nile

I shall certainly write to you from Palermo turn over

on the reverse, which I haven't uploaded, there are a couple of lines in another hand which read:

I have rec'd and delivered your letters to my lady and Miss K. - God bless you TT (presumably Thomas Troubridge)