Lot 172

The sailcloth pouch for H.M.S. "Victory's" tobacco list, English, 1804-1805,
33 by 20cm (13 by 8in)

Amended

Nelson and the Royal Navy 1750-1815

5 July 2005, 11:00 BST

London, New Bond Street

Sold for £12,000 inc. premium

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The sailcloth pouch for H.M.S. "Victory's" tobacco list, English, 1804-1805,

lettered "VICTORY'S Tobacco List - 21st Apl. 1804 & 29 Aug. 1805 W Burke Purser", lined and sewn within with printed paper from a ship's muster book, 33 by 20cm (13 by 8in)

Footnotes

The purser, Walter Burke, was present at the death of Nelson. The most famous account of Nelson's death was written by the surgeon of HMS "Victory", William Beatty, and it has been used in almost all the biographies. There are also two shorter accounts, one by the chaplain, Alexander Scott, and another by Walter Burke.

Walter Burke appears in the Arthur Devis painting, The Death of Nelson, with Hardy standing in the background, William Beatty checking Nelson's pulse, Alexander Scott rubbing Nelson's chest to relieve the pain and Walter Burke supporting the back of the bedding behind Nelson's shoulder.

The paper lining of this sailcloth pouch taken from a muster book, has the following inscription "Printed by March & Teape Tower-Hill His Majesty's Stationary Office", the name "March & Teape" was only used by the company between 1800-1804 (ref www.devon.gov.uk/library).

HMS "Victory" muster books printed between 1803-1804 were also printed by March & Teape, Tower-hill (ref. The National Archives, Kew ADM. 36/15896 and ADM 36/15897).

Tobacco lists for HMS "Victory" survive only from 1805 and are housed in the archives at the Royal Naval Museum, Portsmouth.

18th April 1804 Burke was assigned to HMS "Victory" (ref. The National Archives, Kew ADM36/15897)
19th April 1804 Burke was appointed Warrent Officer Kew ADM 36/15897 (ref. The National Archives, Kew ADM 36/15897)
29th August 1805 Store provisions recieved on ship prior to leaving for Spithead
13th September 1805 Anchored off Spithead

Burke's headstone in Wouldham, Kent reads "Sacred to the memory of Walter Burke Esq of the parish who died on the 12th Septmber 1815 in the 70th year of his age. He was purser on His Majesty's ship "Victory" in the glorious Battle of Trafalgar and in his arms the immortal Nelson died"

Saleroom notices

This lot relates to the purser, Walter Burke, and not as indicated in the footnote, William Burke. Please note that Walter Burke's Headstone is in Wouldham, not Wolham in Kent

Additional information

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The sailcloth pouch for H.M.S. "Victory's" tobacco list, English, 1804-1805, 33 by 20cm (13 by 8in)