Fabric swatch from the main topsail of Lord Nelson’s flagship, the HMS Victory, measuring 3 x 2, framed with a 1903 letter of provenance by Henry W. Carpenter, a captain in the US Marines. This ALS is signed “Henry W. Carpenter, Captain U. S. Marines, U. S. Flag Ship Olympia,” two lined pages, 7 x 9, US Marines letterhead, January 7, 1903. In full: “This is to certify that during the month of June 1902, while paying a mess call from the USFS Illinois, then representing the United States Navy at the Coronation Naval Review at Spithead, England, I went on board HMS Victory, the flag ship of the late Admiral Horatio Nelson RN at the battle of Trafalgar, and was presented with a small piece of the main topsail, used during the battle, and which received over one hundred and four tears and rents from shot. It was directly below this sail, and in its very shadow that Lord Nelson received his mortal wound. The fragment of sail, was torn from the remains of the canvas just as it had been stored in a case when the ship was brought to Portsmouth England. It was given me by Lieutenant Roper RN who assured me it was absolutely genuine and who tore it from the large piece with his own hand in my presence.” Also matted and framed with a period turn-of-the-century photograph of HMS Victory in Portsmouth Harbor to an overall size of 24.75 x 14. Scattered toning and soiling to fabric, mat, and letter, otherwise overall fine condition. Although Horatio Nelson lost his life at the Battle of Trafalgar, the British fleet won a decisive victory against the combined forces of the French and Spanish navies. His fleet was outnumbered and Lord Nelson turned to creative tactics in order to win, ultimately emerging as one of Britain’s greatest martyred war heroes. The HMS Victory became equally well-known as his ship in the famous battle, and relics from the important vessel are extremely rare, particularly with the ideal, early provenance provided with this piece. Oversized. RR Auction COA.
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