The last will and testament of Lord Horatio Nelson has sold as part of Bentley's Fine Art Auctioneers' July 6 auction in Kent, UK.
 By the time he wrote his will, Nelson had already lost an eye and his right arm during service |
The document, which is one of only two known copies from the naval hero, sold for £18,755 ($27,901). It was expected to sell for as much as £25,000 ($37,192).
The will was originally purchased by dealer Raj Bishram for £13,500 ($20,083), after appearing on the TV series Four Rooms, though Bisram had expected the document to fare better, describing the £25,000 estimate as a "low" price.
And he was certainly warranted to have such estimations, considering the usual value of Nelson memorabilia - a letter signed by the admiral made £54,500 ($82,885) at auction in June, achieving a 354.1% increase on estimate.
The will is dated prior to the Battle of the Nile (1798), just seven years before Nelson died at the Battle of Trafalgar (1805). Another copy is currently housed in the National Archives collection.
It was sold complete with an amusing sea shanty regaling Nelson's bravery at sea, entitled "A most excellent new song now singing, on board the St Joseph at Spithead by the whole crew".
On the reverse of the shanty, which was sent to the Duke of Queensberry, is written: "My Dear Lord Duke" from "Your obliged grateful Nelson".
See our amazing selection of Nelson memorabilia for sale, including signed letters and an authentic lock of his hair.
