Fan

Fan commemorating the battle of the Nile 1798. Printed in monochrome with a half-length portrait of Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson (1758-1805) surrounded by naval trophies, between two scrolls inscribed: 'GLORIOUS VICTORY', 'OF THE NILE, 1ST AUGUST 1798'. A third scroll below identifies the sitter: 'ADML LORD NELSON'. The portrait is flanked by a patriotic verse within two star-shaped borders: 'Another conquest swells Britannia's Fame / Let gratefull memory wait on Nelson's name / In distant Seas the conquering Hero shows / How vain the projects of our Gallic foes / When the glad tidings reached the public ears / From Beauties eye distilled the joyous tears / Down Manhood's cheek the tide of rapture flow'd / And every breast with kindling transports glow'd / Nelson, thy praise from shore to shore shall ring.'

'Joy to the Nation, joy to England's King/Such prowess every tribute justly craves/E'en Arabs shout, Britannia rules the waves/With well earned Laurels grace the Victors brow/Recall the deeds of Vincent, Duncan, Howe/Illustrious names to every Briton dear/Here then, the Altar of our thanks we'll rear/Fleets led to battle by such Men as these/Shall fix on Brunswick's hand the trident of the seas.' George III succeeded to the title of Electoral Prince of Brunswick-Lüneburg.

Object Details

ID: OBJ0422
Collection: Decorative art
Type: Fan
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Unknown
Events: French Revolutionary Wars: Battle of the Nile, 1798
Date made: circa 1798
People: Nelson, Horatio; Jervis, John Duncan, Adam Howe, Richard
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Overall: 228.6 x 406.4 mm