ALS signed “Nelson & Bronte,” one page, 7.25 x 9, October 24, 1801. Handwritten letter to Lady Elizabeth Collier, the widow of Admiral Sir George Collier, and mother of the future Rear-Admiral Sir Francis Augustus Collier, who had served with Nelson at the Battle of the Nile. In part: "If your son has served his time I hope if he is still in the Foudroyant that he is promoted as many will be made by the Capture of the French ships at Alexandria. If he has not served he stands no chance for it cannot…be done, and I can assure you and if you will enquire of Lord St. Vincent or Sir Tho's Troubridge, they will tell you that I cannot get a Lieut. made. If he has served his time and quitted a flag ship he is wrong unless with the approbation of Lord Keith." In fine condition, with tastefully trimmed edges. Accompanied by the original mailing cover, addressed in Nelson's hand to "Lady Collier, 26 Wimpole Street, London."
Sir Francis Augustus Collier (1782–1849) went on to a distinguished career in the Royal Navy, having first seen active service as a young officer during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. He served under Lord Nelson at the Battle of the Nile in 1798, an experience that placed him at the heart of one of Britain’s greatest naval victories. He followed Nelson to the HMS Foudroyant in 1799, serving on the ship until 1802. He would soon earn several promotions: lieutenant in 1803, commander in 1805, post-captain in 1808, and eventually rear-admiral, holding major commands across the West Indies, Persian Gulf, West Africa, and Hong Kong.
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
$200.00
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
Third-party authentication service applies only to signatures and handwriting, and does not cover the addition of sketches, artwork, musical quotations, etc.
