NELSONS PURSE - Hardcover

Downer, Martyn

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0593051807 ISBN 13: 9780593051801

Publisher: Bantam Press, 2004

Synopsis

At the beginning on July 2002, Sotheby's announced to the world the discovery of a major cache of material relating to the life of England's greatest naval hero, Horatio Nelson. The man who made this extraordinary find and who subsequently spent over a year of his life validating the material and placing it in the context of Nelson's life and relationships was Martyn Downer, Head of Jewellery at Sotheby's in London. The contents of this once-in-a-lifetime discovery are remarkable - some objects were thought to have been lost, others had previously never been known to have existed. A mongst the latter is a remarkable archive of letters from Nelson's jilted wife, Fanny, detailing the breakdown of their marriage. For the first time, thanks to this find, Fanny's role in Nelson's life acquires real biographical substance. Also in the find are medals, swords, jewellery (including a stunning diamond brooch with the initials H and N gifted to Emma Hamilton), porcelain, weaponry, and other papers and letters (including some emotive letters by Emma and Nelson himself) which shed fascinating new light on Nelson's domestic affairs. Most dramatically, the cache also includes the bloodstained purse Nelson was carrying on the day he was shot on board HMS Victory in 1805, still containing its gold coins. Martyn Downer tells the extraordinary historical detective story behind this great find and its progress from discovery to auction. It is a story which reveals the intimate life of Nelson, his wife and his mistress in a way which has hitherto been denied to biographers.

About this title

Review:

" Strewn with vivid images, Downer's narrative is well researched and well written." -- "Sunday Times"" Downer's account of the Nelson-Emma-Fanny triangle is a gripping read." -- "Spectator"" Fascinating. Downer's rich personal account stands out among Nelson related books." -- "Daily Mail" "From the Trade Paperback edition."

Book Description:

Uncovering the mystery of Lord Nelson's Lost Treasures

About this edition

• Publisher: Bantam Press
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0593051807
• ISBN 13: 9780593051801
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 329