Proof before title. This is an early proof impression of the first engraved portrait of Nelson, published when he was a rear-admiral. The source is the oil portrait of him as a captain by J. F. Rigaud (BHC2901) completed in or shortly after 1781 for his early commander and friend, Captain William Locker. Locker became Lieutenant-Governor of Greenwich Hospital in 1793 and lent the portrait to Robert Shipster of nearby George Street, Woolwich, for this print to be made, to meet public demand, after Nelson became a celebrity and was knighted for his part at the Battle of Cape St Vincent in February 1797. Only the print, not the oil, is in oval format and the latter still shows Nelson's right arm, which he in fact lost at Tenerife a month before it was published. It still shows him as a captain, though he was a rear-admiral be the time it appeared and Shipster has clearly made some attempt to 'age' his facial features to match his actual age (37 in August 1797), probably working from an intermediate drawing of his own if his final inscription as 'drawer and engraver' is precise. When published the plate also included the original artist's name as 'Rigaud pinxt 1786' - which could have been the date the oil was completed, though improbably late and possibly just an error. It also bore the full title: 'HORATIO NELSON ESQR / Now Sir Horatio Nelson K.B. Rear Admiral / of the Blue Squadron./ From an Original Picture in the possession of Wm Locker Esqr / Lieut. Govr. of Greenwich Hospital'. This replaced Shipster's preliminary signature below the image and can be seen on other copies (PAD3886,3887,4002,4201,4642; coloured version PAD4304). In May 1799 it was re-engraved by Harrison, Cluse & Co., with the inscription updated to reflect Nelson's barony and new rank as a vice-admiral (see PAD4200)