Lot 801

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Description:

BUCKLES BELONGING TO HORATIO NELSON
(1758 - 1805) British naval officer whose brilliant tactics made the British fleet victorious in battles against the French at the Nile and Trafalgar where he was mortally wounded by a sniper. A superb relic of the utmost rarity, a pair of brass shoe buckles ca. 1800, similar to those worn by Nelson during the historic Battle of Trafalgar! The buckles are 2 1/4" wide and are composed of smooth gold-plated brass with sprung grips, bearing respective patent numbers on verso: "PATENT 3397I" and "3402R". Within one buckle is a period note of provenance stating the the buckles were from the estate of Alexander Davidson, Nelson's most trusted advisor, closest friend and executor of his estate. In full: "These Buckles are presented to Alexander Davidson Esq. of Swarland Park as a mark of my grateful respect for the many obligations he has conferred upon me - sent from London this 2 Aug 1828 R. Bowyer [illeg.]". On verso, a lightly-penned note reads: "These buckles were presented to me by the family of the late Lord Nelson...likewise...Pr. identical buckles he wore at the ever memorable Battle of Trafalgar R. R...46 Pall Mall". Robert Bowyer (1758-1834) was a British painter of miniatures and publisher who knew Nelson and painted a portrait of the naval hero in 1800. His home at 46 Pall Mall had previously housed the influential Cocoa Tree Club and was later the site of the Historic Gallery, which published his works. Ex: Sotheby's, from the 2002 sale of the Alexander Davidson Collection of Nelson's belonging and relics. The lavish catalog (a copy of which is included) states: "A more elaborate pair of shoe buckles with provenance that they were worn by Nelson at the time he 'received his mortal wound' were loaned by J. L. Henderson Esq. both at the 1891 and 1905 exhibitions of Nelson relics...It was stated that they had been in the collection of the family of Captain Hardy until 1839...". Sir Thomas Hardy (1769-1839) was Flag Captain to Nelson, and commanded the HMS Victory in the Battle of Trafalgar. Very good.

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June 4, 2010 11:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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