Description - Nelson, Horatio (1758-1805), Vice-Admiral, Royal Navy, portrait, published in London by Thomas Kelly in about 1860, the print being taken from an engraving by 'A. Roffe', which was in turn taken from the original painting by Lemuel Francis Abbot that currently hangs in 10 Downing Street (photographs 1 to 4). Nelson served with the Royal Navy (1771-1805) in India during the First Anglo-Maratha war, the West Indies during & after the American War of Independence, & in the Mediterranean & the West Indies during the French Revolutionary & Napoleonic wars (photographs 2 & 3). His triumph aboard H.M.S. Victory against the combined French & Spanish fleets at the battle of Trafalgar, was mixed with mourning in Britain due to his death during the battle.
The small rectangular black & white portrait is printed centrally on a white piece of paper with 'LORD NELSON' printed underneath (photographs 1 & 2). The portrait shows Nelson in his later years, with white hair, detailed facial features, & wearing his Naval uniform (photograph 3). The uniform includes two medals, decorative epaulettes on either shoulder, & the empty right sleeve hung from a button on the tunic, due to Nelson losing his right arm during the battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Above the portrait is a black & white image of Nelson aboard one of two row boats during a naval engagement, possibly the aforementioned battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (photographs 1 to 3). On either side of the portrait is a sailor carrying a large flag on a pole, & doffing their hat (photographs 1 to 3). Further below the portrait are the words 'Nelson of Bronte', 'Painted by Abbot. Engraved by A. Roffe', & 'London Published by Thomas Kelly 17, Paternoster Row (the date is unclear)' (photographs 1 & 2).
The print is displayed in a modern wooden rectangular frame behind a white rectangular mat-board & display glass (photographs 1 & 4). The front surface of the frame is decorated with multi-coloured pattern, & the front & side surfaces have gold coloured gilding (photograph 1). A rectangular black back board is held in the back of the frame by metal tacks, & includes a metal picture hanging ring & an adjustable stand (photograph 4).
Condition - The white paper upon which the portrait is printed includes some creases (photographs 1 to 3). There are also some small areas of brown foxing on the front surface of the frame's white rectangular mat-board (photograph 1 & 2). However, generally the print is in good condition for its age, as is its modern frame (photographs 1 to 4).
Dimensions - The height of the frame is 28.6 cm, the width 23.6 cm, & the depth 1.3 cm (photographs 1 & 4). The total weight of the print in its frame is 464 g (photographs 1 & 4).