On the death in 1908 of Mr. Frederick Barker, Messrs. J.Pearson and Co. secured possession of a singularly valuable and interesting collection of autographs and other papers directly relating to, or connected with, the life of Horatio, Viscount Nelson; a collection formed apparently in the middle of the last century, and which Mr. Barker, or possibly his father, had arranged and completed.
It consists of:
First. - Twenty-nine holograph letters of Nelson, covering his active career from 1785, to within three weeks of his death (at Trafalgar, 21st Odober 1805). Together with memoranda, statements, etc., also in his autograph and signed. With these are several portraits and engraved pictures of incidents in Nelson's career; printed services of Prayer and Thanksgiving for his several victories, the order of the Funeral Procession, and other pieces, now of extreme rarity.
Second. - Letters from Nelson's relations, etc., including, among others, holograph letters from his father, brother (the first earl), wife, mistress (Lady Hamilton), Sir William Hamilton, etc.
