Horatio Lord Nelson's will is to cross the block at UK-based auction house Bentley's Fine Art Auctioneers on July 6.
The will was purchased during an episode of popular television series Four Rooms, in which collectors boasting interesting, unusual and occasionally aberrant items of memorabilia attempt to make a profit on their investments by selling to experienced dealers.
![]() Lord Horatio Nelson was a highly effective leader, inspiring his men through considerable courage and charisma |
Dealer Raj Bisram purchased Nelson's will, as well as a shanty thought to have been written for the admiral by his crew, for £13,500 ($20,390).
Bisram expects the will to make in excess of £25,000 ($37,762) at auction - an increase of 85.2%. Talking to Kent Online, Bisram described £25,000 as a "low" price.
Bisram told the online news provider: "I will buy anything if there is a profit in it. But this will have international appeal and there is always interest in Nelson memorabilia.
"But I don't really want this to go abroad. I would love it to stay in Britain. I'd hope that either a museum or private collector will buy it and keep it in the UK."
We have a wealth of Nelson memorabilia in stock, including this long lock of the celebrated seaman's hair contained in a beautiful antique presentation box.
In January 2011, a locket containing a lock of Lord Nelson's hair sold for £44,000 ($68,000) at auction; values for Nelson memorabilia have soared of late.
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