|
Lloyd's
of London Exhibits Exclusive Nelson
Collection as Part of Trafalgar
Celebrations
London
&endash; August XX, 2005 &endash;
Americans travelling to the United Kingdom
this fall will have a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity to view a unique exhibit
highlighting one of Britain's most revered
military heroes.
Lloyd's
has been insuring maritime risks for over
300 years, and remains the world's leading
maritime insurance market. For the first
time, it is presenting publicly a unique
collection of items relating to Vice
Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson that vividly
recall his naval victories and his links
with Lloyd's, including a number of
artefacts hidden from view for
centuries.
A complete
set of Nelson's seven signatures marking
key stages in his life will be on display
at the exhibit, which was commissioned by
Lloyd's to celebrate the bicentenary of
the Battle of Trafalgar on October 21,
1805. That victory, according to military
historians, ushered in England's dominance
of the seas for the next
century.
The
exhibit will also include letters from the
Lloyd's Collection with transcriptions,
revealing details of daily life at that
time and Nelson's heroism in battle, and
brings together a wealth of silver and
other objects relating to Nelson and the
Lloyd's Patriotic Fund.
It will be
on public display at the Corporation of
London's Guildhall Art Gallery from
October to the end of the year
The
collection of signatures demonstrates how
the vaunted hero changed his signature
several times following key moments in his
life, most notably after losing his right
arm in 1797 during an operation to capture
the town of Santa Cruz in the Canary
Islands. During that attack, Nelson lost
his arm while leading one of the landing
parties in an attempt to assault the town
frontally.
Nelson
biographer Dr. Colin White, of London's
National Maritime Museum, said: "This
fascinating group of signatures gives us
pointers to key moments in Nelson's life.
It's great to know that all seven will be
displayed together in the
exhibition."
Horatio
Nelson (1758-1805) is generally regarded
as the greatest officer in the history of
the Royal Navy. His reputation is based on
a series of remarkable victories,
culminating at the Battle of Trafalgar
where he was killed in his moment of
triumph. The poet Byron referred to him as
'Britannia's God of War'.
In
addition to the exhibition
A
creative collaboration - "Writing on
Water"
Commissioned
by Lloyd's and curated by Artwise, Writing
on Water is an exciting example of
partnership between business and the arts.
Award-winning movie director and artist
Peter Greenaway has teamed up with
American composer David Lang and the
London Sinfionetta to create a unique
audio-visual work called Writing on Water,
inspired by the Nelson bicentenary,
Lloyd's tradition of innovation and
risk-taking, and man's relationship with
the sea. It will be performed publicly at
Queen Elizabeth Hall in London on 29
October following its premiere to an
invited audience at Lloyd's on 15
September. Lloyd's has received a grant
from UK Government-sponsored charity Arts
& Business New Partners for the
project.
Commemorative
Book
A special
commemorative boxed book set is being
produced to explore the exhibition and the
creative collaboration. Comprising
individual pieces on the history of
Nelson, the silverware of Lloyd's Nelson
Collection, letters from the Collection,
and the background to Writing on Water, it
will be available later in the year.
Key dates
for the Nelson exhibit:
September
15 Premiere of Writing on Water, opening
of Lloyd's Nelson Collection Exhibition at
Lloyd's, 1 Lime Street for invited
guestsFollowing September 15Lloyd's Nelson
Collection Exhibition at
Lloyd's
Early
October to end of yearLloyd's Nelson
Collection Exhibition at the Corporation
of London's Guildhall Art GalleryOctober
29Performance of Writing on Water at Queen
Elizabeth Hall
About
Lloyd's
Lloyd's is
the world's leading specialist insurance
market with a capacity to accept insurance
premiums of more than £13.7 billion
in 2005. It occupies sixth place in terms
of global reinsurance premium income, and
is the second largest surplus lines
insurer in the US. In 2005, 62 syndicates
are underwriting insurance at Lloyd's,
covering all classes of business from more
than 200 countries and territories
worldwide. Lloyd's is regulated by the
Financial Services Authority. Its website
is www.lloyds.com
For
further information, to request interviews
with Lord Levene, Peter Greenaway, or
David Lang, or for images, please contact
Lloyd's:
e-mail:Steve
Farrance
+44 (0) 20
7327 6096
+44 (0) 20
7327 5229
steve.farrance@lloyds.com
Louise Shield
+44 (0) 20
7327 5793
+44 (0) 20
7327 5229
louise.shield@lloyds.comIn
the United States
Thor
Valdamis (212) 382-4088 (O)
(917)
862-0875 (M)
Ed Orgon,
The Torrenzano Group
(212)
681-1700
(917)
539-4000For all calls out of
hours
+44 (0)
7659 597 825
NELSON'S
SEVEN SIGNATURES &endash; FACT
SHEET
The
signatures on display will be:
Horatio
Nelson
ܧ
Nelson's signature shortly after going to
sea in 1771.
Horatio
Nelson
ܧ
Same name, different signature. Nelson now
had to learn to write left-handed after
losing his right arm when wounded during
the failed attack on Santa Cruz de
Tenerife in July 1797.
Nelson
ܧ
This came following his elevation to
peerage as Baron Nelson as a reward for
his victory at the Battle of the Nile on
August 1, 1798. He began signing himself
simply 'Nelson' as was
customary.
Bronte
Nelson
ܧ
Nelson changed his signature to this after
the King of Naples made him the Duke of
Bronte on August 13, 1799 as a reward for
his services. Although not unique, it was
rare for English peers to gain peerage
abroad.
Bronte
Nelson of the Nile
ܧ
On 21 March 1800, Nelson learned that his
full English title included the words 'of
the Nile', and so he started using this
extended signature instead.
Nelson
& Bronte
ܧ
When he returned to England in November
1800, it was pointed out to Nelson that it
was tactless to use a foreign title over
his English one. There followed a brief
period of uncertainty until, in January
1801, he settled for Nelson & Bronte,
which became the signature he used for the
rest of his life.
|
