LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2006 October Grand Format Autographs #629  / 

25440

Horatio Nelson Manuscript Document Signed

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:625.00 USD Estimated At:2,500.00 - 3,500.00 USD
Horatio Nelson Manuscript Document Signed
<B>Horatio Nelson Manuscript Document Signed</B></I> "<I>Nelson & Bronte</B></I>". One page, 7.5" x 9.25". H.M.S. <I>Victory,</B></I> August 17, 1804. Matted with an engraving of Nelson and framed to an overall size of 20" x 15.5". Enlistment paper for Francesco Renardo, "<I>by trade a Laborerborn at Rome"</B></I> who voluntarily enlists "<I>to serve his Britannic Majesty King George the third in his Royal Marine Forces during the present war</B></I>" and swears "<I>to be true to his Sovereign Lord King George the third of Great Britain and serve him honestly and faithfully in defence of his Person Crown and dignity against all his enemies and opposers whatsoever and to observe and obey the orders of the Generals and officers set over me by his Majesty</B></I>" Renardo has signed "<I>X</B></I>" with "<I>his Cross</B></I>". He is described as "<I>aged 26 Years 5 Feet 5 Inches high Black Hair Brown Eyes Swarthy Complexion</B></I>". Also signed: "<I>C. W. Adair Capt &/Inspectg officer of/Recruits for the RM"</B></I> as Witness and "<I>"Geo: Magrath/Surgeon Victory</B></I>" who examined Renardo and found him "<I>in every respect sound and fit for his Majesty's Service</B></I>". George Magrath (1775-1857) served as surgeon aboard the H.M.S. <I>Victory</B></I> until he was replaced on December 14, 1804, by Sir William Beatty who attended Lord Nelson during the Battle of Trafalgar. Magrath was knighted by King William IV in 1831. The verso of the document is also under glass and shows Renardo's acknowledgement that he received from Capt. Adair "<I>the Sum of Five Guineas Bounty and Pay From 3rd July to 16th August 1804 at the Rate of Four Shillings and ten pence pr Week.</B></I>" Signed by Renardo with "<I>His Mark</B></I>" an "<I>X</B></I>". Witnessed: "<I>Jno Gillman</B></I>". Docket on verso reveals that Francesco Renardo "<I>enlisted in the Meditteranean (sic)/pr order Adml. Lord Nelson</B></I>".<BR><BR> In 1799, King Ferdinand of the Two Sicilies created Bronte as a Duchy, and made Horatio Nelson Duke of Bronte to thank him for a naval victory against the French, preventing France from gaining supremacy in the Mediterranean. Proud of his new title, he began signing his name: "<I>Nelson & Bronte</B></I>". Nelson was assigned to HMS <I>Victory</B></I> in May 1803 and joined the blockade of Toulon, France. He was promoted to Vice Admiral of the White while still at sea, on April 23, 1804. On October 21, 1805, Lord Nelson was killed aboard the HMS <I>Victory</B></I> in the Battle of Trafalgar, his last victory.
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