A lock of hair that may have been cut from Lord Nelson’s head as he lay dying is being sold by a British collectibles company.
Nelson’s reported last words – “Kiss me Hardy” – are the stuff of legend, though there are differing accounts of what he said.
Certainly true is that the British naval hero asked that some of his hair be kept and given to his lover, Lady Emma Hamilton.
Now, a substantial lock of hair from the Admiral, who was shot by a French sniper just as his victory over the Napoleonic fleet was secured, is for sale at Paul Fraser Collectibles.
The box containing the hair seems to be dated to 1805, the year of Nelson’s death. Image courtesy Paul Fraser Collectibles.
The lock is 4.5cm long and is stored in a box that may be as old as its contents. A plaque reading “N…05” seems to date it to the year of Nelson’s death.
Paul Fraser, of the company, the largest rare collectibles dealer in the world, said: “Here is an artefact that gets you closer to Nelson than most could ever dream of. It is a very real piece of the man himself. This is history you can touch with your fingertips. As a collector, it’s the closest connection to Nelson you can possibly own.”
The company says it is one of the largest locks of Nelson’s hair ever to be sold.
Nelson is one of the UK’s greatest military heroes and certainly one of the most collectible figures of his era.
His statue is still the best-known public monument in the country, standing above Trafalgar Square in London, named for the battle at which he died.
The defeat of the Spanish and French navies off the coast of Spain was a major reason why Britain was able to literally rule the waves through the 19th Century of imperial growth.
Nelson’s funeral was an enormous public event that included a huge procession by water.
Relics from the battle are among the most valuable Nelson memorabilia.
In 2018, a small fragment from the Union Flag believed to have flown from Nelson’s ship, Victory, realised £297,000.
Just last month, a pair of shoe buckles Nelson gifted to a friend were sold for £2,000.
This lock of hair is selling for £15,000, though Paul Fraser Collectibles say they believe it could be worth much more.
A 2011 sale of locks of hair from Nelson and Emma Hamiltion realised £44,000 against a £5,000 estimate.
Mr Fraser added: “In a market where the hair of 20th century stars such as Elvis Presley or Michael Jackson now sells for more than $100,000 you would certainly expect to pay an even higher sum for Lord Admiral Horatio Nelson – the man who defeated Napoleon himself.”
The lock is so substantial, the sellers believe it could be sold and broken up into single strands.
