Cart
Free Shipping in Australia
Proud to be B-Corp

NELSONS PURSE Martyn Downer

NELSONS PURSE By Martyn Downer

NELSONS PURSE by Martyn Downer


$24.39
Condition - Very Good
Only 4 left

Summary

This volume reveals a story concerning a previously unknown cache of Nelson's private possessions.

NELSONS PURSE Summary

NELSONS PURSE by Martyn Downer

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.

NELSONS PURSE Reviews

" 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."

About Martyn Downer

Martyn Downer grew up surrounded by art and antiques as his father owned a provincial auction house and he spent his school holidays working there as a porter. He started his career in the art business working for an antique jeweller in London's West End before joining Sotheby's as a junior specialist in 1993. Over the following ten years, Martyn sourced jewellery from around the world for Sotheby's auctions in New York, London and Geneva. In that time Sotheby's sold many important single collections of jewellery, notably those of Elton John and Jackie Kennedy Onassis, and - in 1994 - the single most valuable jewel ever sold at auction, a 100.1 carat diamond which fetched $16m.Martyn was Head of Jewellery at Sotheby's in London from 1999 to 2003. He regularly lectures on the subject and contributes articles to art and antiques magazines. He lives in Buckinghamshire with his wife, who is a painter, and their three young children.

Additional information

GOR001319699
9780593051801
0593051807
NELSONS PURSE by Martyn Downer
Used - Very Good
Hardback
Transworld Publishers Ltd
2004-10-01
329
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
This is a used book - there is no escaping the fact it has been read by someone else and it will show signs of wear and previous use. Overall we expect it to be in very good condition, but if you are not entirely satisfied please get in touch with us

Customer Reviews - NELSONS PURSE