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Admiral Nelson and Florence Nightingale letters net £30,000 Admiral Nelson and Florence Nightingale letters net £30,000
(about 1 hour later)
A collection of letters written by historic figures, including Admiral Horatio Nelson, Florence Nightingale and Charles Dickens, has sold for more than £30,000 at auction in Essex.A collection of letters written by historic figures, including Admiral Horatio Nelson, Florence Nightingale and Charles Dickens, has sold for more than £30,000 at auction in Essex.
The 75-strong lot, including cards and autographs, was amassed by a Billericay collector over 30 years.The 75-strong lot, including cards and autographs, was amassed by a Billericay collector over 30 years.
The letter by Nelson, written while on HMS Victory in 1804, was to Sir John Acton, prime minister of Naples.The letter by Nelson, written while on HMS Victory in 1804, was to Sir John Acton, prime minister of Naples.
It sold for £7,000 at the auction in Colchester on Saturday.It sold for £7,000 at the auction in Colchester on Saturday.
It was thought the letter would sell for between £4,000 and £6,000.It was thought the letter would sell for between £4,000 and £6,000.
The letter was signed Nelson & Bronte, which refers to the fact he was made Duke of Bronte by King Ferdinand of Sicily.The letter was signed Nelson & Bronte, which refers to the fact he was made Duke of Bronte by King Ferdinand of Sicily.
It also mentions Dr Alexander John Scott, a friend of the Norfolk-born naval hero who was to attend the admiral's fatal wounds at the Battle of Trafalgar. It also mentions the Reverend Dr Alexander Scott, Nelson's chaplain who was with him on the Victory when the Norfolk-born naval hero died at the Battle of Trafalgar.
Dr CrippenDr Crippen
The private collection was released for auction by the family of the late Captain A.S. Court, who spent much of his life in Romford.The private collection was released for auction by the family of the late Captain A.S. Court, who spent much of his life in Romford.
A captain in the former Essex Regiment, he was a "collector by nature" said his family.A captain in the former Essex Regiment, he was a "collector by nature" said his family.
The £30,000 raised by the sale was double what had been expected.The £30,000 raised by the sale was double what had been expected.
Michael Bowles, from auctioneers Reeman Dansie, said interest in the autographs had been worldwide.Michael Bowles, from auctioneers Reeman Dansie, said interest in the autographs had been worldwide.
"It was a lovely auction of one-off autographs of famous people," he said."It was a lovely auction of one-off autographs of famous people," he said.
"It's very rare to get such an accumulation [of autographs] and very nice to have.""It's very rare to get such an accumulation [of autographs] and very nice to have."
Other items in the auction included letters signed by English poet William Wordsworth, which sold for £700 after being given an estimate of between £100 and £200, one from Hawley Harvey Crippen of Dr Crippen notoriety, which was sold for £240 - more than double its estimate - and a letter signed by Florence Nightingale which went for £500. Other items in the auction included letters signed by English poet William Wordsworth, which sold for £700 after being given an estimate of between £100 and £200; one from Hawley Harvey Crippen of Dr Crippen notoriety, which was sold for £240 - more than double its estimate - and a letter signed by Florence Nightingale which went for £500.