Nelson, Horatio Lord

sandy colour, tied with gold thread, housed behind glass in a circular silver locket (30mm circumference), engraved "LORD NELSON'S HAIR TRAFALGAR OCTR 21 1805"

Admiral Charles Tyler, thence by descent

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Admiral Sir Charles Tyler (1760-1835) had sailed under Nelson in the Mediterranean in the mid-1790s and captained HMS Tonnant at Trafalgar (see next lot). He almost certainly befriended Emma Hamilton when stationed in the Mediterranean, and their friendship is attested by Nelson, who in 1801 invited Tyler to dine on HMS St George to celebrate "Santa Emma's birthday ... I know you are one of her votarys" (quoted in Wyndham-Quin, Sir Charles Tyler (1912), p.115). After Nelson's death Emma Hamilton wrote to Tyler pleading that "if you ever come this way, pray call and see me that we may speak of past time - happy times never more to be recalled" (12 September 1808, quoted in Wyndham-Quin, p.168). It is entirely fitting and plausible that Emma Hamilton would have gifted to Tyler a precious lock of Nelson's hair. As he lay dying, Nelson asked Hardy to "let Lady Hamilton have my hair" and Hardy duly delivered the hair to her on his return to England (see Prentice, The Authentic Nelson (2005), p.167). She left Nelson's pigtail to Horatia but made a number of gifts of small locks to family and other fellow mourners. This lock of hair is recorded in Wyndham-Quin, p.204.