The Life of Nelson

London: Bickers and Son, 1883 . Leather. Very Good. 8.5" by 5.5". Westall. A later edition of Southey's biography of Horatio Lord Nelson, in an attractive full calf Bickers prize binding featuring a stunning fore edge painting illustrating Lord Nelson's ships. Romantic poet and Poet Laureate from 1813 until his death, Robert Southey was a prolific letter writer and literary scholar as well as a historian and biographer. In particular, this biography of Horatio Lord Nelson has rarely been out of print since its first publication in 1813, and proved to be an immediate success. Vice-Admiral Nelson is widely regarded as one of the greatest naval commanders in history. His unconventional tactics brought about various British naval victories, particularly during the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars.Illustrated with a frontispiece and eleven illustrations by Westall, printed in woodburytype, a folding plan of the Battle of the Nile, and a plate of Nelson's handwriting at various dates in facsimile. Collated, complete.Featuring a stunning fore edge painting illustrating three of Nelson's ships at sea. In a charming Bickers prize binding, inscribed 'L.L.H. Napier Prize for Drawing,' dated 1883. With Sir Henry Staveley Lawrence's bookplate to the front blank page, British civil servant and colonial administrator. He was the Acting governor of Bombay during the British Raj from 1926 to 1928. In a full calf school prize binding signed Bickers and Son, with five raised bands and intricate gilt tooling to the spine and marbled endpapers. Featuring a coloured fore edge painting of Nelson's ships at sea. Externally very smart with only minor shelf wear and a minor damp marking to the front board. With Sir Henry Staveley Lawrence's bookplate to the front blank page, inscribed 'L.L.H. Napier Prize for Drawing,' dated 1883. Internally, firmly bound. A minor spotting to the first few leaves only, otherwise the pages are bright and clean throughout. Illustrated with a frontispiece and eleven illustrations by Westall, printed in woodburytype, a folding plan of the Battle of the Nile, and a plate of Nelson's handwriting at various dates in facsimile. Collated, complete. Very Good