The China Mail - Nelson's erotic dream letter features in London auction

The pre-eminent vice-admiral, who achieved victories against revolutionary France and Napoleon but was killed in the Battle of Trafalgar, was a prolific letter writer despite losing an arm and part of his vision in battles.

A British businessman who admired him, Clive Richards, spent decades collecting some 400 letters and other historic documents now on sale at Sotheby's with an estimate of £4 to £6 million ($5.3 to $8 mn).

"It's an absolutely astonishing collection and I think what really distinguishes it is that it captures every aspect of Nelson's life and career," said Sotheby's books and manuscripts specialist Gabriel Heaton.

Scandalously, Nelson lived openly with his lover, society beauty Hamilton, though both were married, and their letters make clear their devotion. By contrast, a message to his wife says he is too busy to write often.

Hamilton kept Nelson's love letters, many on display at Sotheby's until the closing date for bids on November 18.

In one written at sea in 1800, Nelson says: "last night I did nothing but dream of you", recounting how she embraced him and whispered "I love nothing but you my Nelson", after which he kissed her "fervently" and "we enjoy'd the height of love".

This letter was sold by Christie's in 2003 for nearly £120,000.

After a victory in Copenhagen in 1801, soon after Emma gave birth to his child, Nelson wrote he was "very tired after a hard fought Battle" -- but still managed to compose a short love poem.

Nelson had to learn to write with his left hand after his right arm was shattered by a musket in 1797; in one letter soon after the injury, he apologises before the words tail off and his wife takes over.

"You can see he's struggling. You know, he's actually forming the letters quite clearly, but it's hard, hard work," Heaton told AFP.

Subsequent letters show Nelson's penmanship stayed messier than before, while emphatic with frequent underlinings.

The collection includes Nelson's signature on battle plans for Trafalgar.

Nelson burnt Hamilton's letters and only two are known to exist -- both acquired by Richards.

In one dashed down rapidly, Hamilton writes in October 1805: "how do I idolise you my dearest Husband of my Heart you are all in this world to your Emma" and appeals "may god preserve you".

But this letter only reached Nelson after his death, hit by a bullet on the deck of his ship HMS Victory.

Sadly, Hamilton's last letters beg friends for financial support: she spent time in a debtors' prison before fleeing to France where she died in 1815.

V.Liu--ThChM