^Lot 450 Horatio Nelson

Ink signature, “Nelson & Bronte” on an off white 6.5 x 1.5 slip clipped from a larger document. Inscribed and initialed by Thomas Masterman Hardy in the bottom right hand corner, “T. M. H.” Written above the signature in another hand is the line, “Given on board the Victory of Cadix. 10th October 1805,” and below Nelson’s signature, in Hardy’s hand, reads the line, “Taken from the Pendant sheet issued to the Mediterranean Fleet.” In very good condition, with a few vertical creases, two affecting Nelson’s signature, uniform toning, and a stray ink mark. An extraordinary relic given by Nelson’s most loyal companion and taken from one of the admiral’s last signed documents—a chart of flag pennants (pendants) to be used in the forthcoming battle of Trafalgar. Hardy is best remembered as second principal actor in one of the most famous scenes in English history—at Trafalgar when Nelson gave him his last messages, with the celebrated request ‘Kiss me, Hardy.’