Highly esteemed British admiral (1758–1805) best known for his participation in the Napoleonic Wars, during which, in the Battle of Trafalgar, he lost his life. LS signed “Nelson & Bronte,” one page both sides, 8 x 12.5, no date [circa 1803]. A handwritten manuscript headed “Extract of a letter from J. B. Gilbert Esq. His Majesty’s Vice Consul at Barcelona to the Right Honble. Lord Viscount Nelson … & dated 30th August 1803.” In part (original spellings retained): “I beg leave to address to your Lordship Capt. Joseph Sunger of the Spanish Vessel Virgen del Carmen on which board I have shipped 75 Pipes of Tarragona red wine for the supplies of the Fleet said wine is of the best quality reinforced with brandy; its cost is of 36 hard dollars per each Pipe on board, all charges of shipping freight and insurance included…. As we are near to the bad weather it will not be possible now to continue the expeditions, as I have made them hitherto, owing to the difficulty for transhipping the goods at sea from small Vessels to ships of war; therefore it would be proper, that I could send the expeditions to Cagliare, or elsewhere in the island of Sardinia and make there a repository of wines and other good, from which the ships under your command would be supplied with more facility; I hope that your Lordship will have the goodness to give me directions about this particular in expectation of which I will suspend every expedition untill I’ll have received them. This letter will be handed to your Lordship by Arnaldo Bosch an young intelligent man of my confidence….” In very good condition, with toning, scattered staining, tear to central portion of letter, old tape repairs, and faint show-through. The signature is dark and unaffected by any faults. LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
