], For T. Cadell and W. Davies, London 1809, volume I: vi, 15, xlv, 375pp; volume II: 511pp; volume I with full-page engraved title-piece of The Immortality of Nelson by Charles Heath (1785 - 1848) after Benjamin West PRA (1738 - 1820), further engraved plates, contemporary diced morocco boards with central double fillet with naval anchors to angles, within a band of anthemions and further fillet border (relayed), the later 20th century in-keeping brown leather spines gilt lettered and with further anchors in compartments of raised bands, all edges marbled, volume I with in-keeping later marbled endpapers, volume II with contemporary marbled endpapers, volume I with ink MS presentation inscription to Wells and dated 1811, each volume's front pastedown with Plain Armorial bookplate: William Wells Holme Wood [Kent], inserted letter front, crown folios Provenance: Vice-Admiral Sir William Wells (d. 1811), of Holmewood House, Kent. Entering the Royal Navy at the sprightly age of 15 years-old, Midhsipman Wells rose through the ranks of the navy by sheer merit while serving and seeing action in the American War of Independence, including the Battle of Saint Kitts in 1782 when stationed in the West Indies, the domestic naval mutiny at Spithead in 1797 - resulting in 19 of his seamen being sentenced to death and 6 flogged, captaining the Glory at the blockade of Brest, guarding the Thames Estuary against the Napoleonic invasion as commander-in-chief of the Nore. After his rapid promotion through the ranks the most important and iconic moment of Wells's career and life came after the Battle of Trafalgar: in 1806, Vice-Admiral Wells was a pallbearer at Lord Nelson's State Funeral. Wells later died in 1811 at Holmewood House, which he inherited along with Bickley Hall at his father's death in 1805, before he was able to take up his promotion to full Admiral. He does not seem to be a particularly pleasant man, as a Captain Maxwell who was court martialled for refusing to take his ship, in his defence said that Wells was cruel and oppressive. Though Wells does not appear on the subscription list in volume I, it seems poignant that an acquaintance should gift him a copy in the early months of 1811, the year of his death.
], For T. Cadell and W. Davies, London 1809, volume I: vi, 15, xlv, 375pp; volume II: 511pp; volume I with full-page engraved title-piece of The Immortality of Nelson by Charles Heath (1785 - 1848) after Benjamin West PRA (1738 - 1820), further engraved plates, contemporary diced morocco boards with central double fillet with naval anchors to angles, within a band of anthemions and further fillet border (relayed), the later 20th century in-keeping brown leather spines gilt lettered and with further anchors in compartments of raised bands, all edges marbled, volume I with in-keeping later marbled endpapers, volume II with contemporary marbled endpapers, volume I with ink MS presentation inscription to Wells and dated 1811, each volume's front pastedown with Plain Armorial bookplate: William Wells Holme Wood [Kent], inserted letter front, crown folios Provenance: Vice-Admiral Sir William Wells (d. 1811), of Holmewood House, Kent. Entering the Royal Navy at the sprightly age of 15 years-old, Midhsipman Wells rose through the ranks of the navy by sheer merit while serving and seeing action in the American War of Independence, including the Battle of Saint Kitts in 1782 when stationed in the West Indies, the domestic naval mutiny at Spithead in 1797 - resulting in 19 of his seamen being sentenced to death and 6 flogged, captaining the Glory at the blockade of Brest, guarding the Thames Estuary against the Napoleonic invasion as commander-in-chief of the Nore. After his rapid promotion through the ranks the most important and iconic moment of Wells's career and life came after the Battle of Trafalgar: in 1806, Vice-Admiral Wells was a pallbearer at Lord Nelson's State Funeral. Wells later died in 1811 at Holmewood House, which he inherited along with Bickley Hall at his father's death in 1805, before he was able to take up his promotion to full Admiral. He does not seem to be a particularly pleasant man, as a Captain Maxwell who was court martialled for refusing to take his ship, in his defence said that Wells was cruel and oppressive. Though Wells does not appear on the subscription list in volume I, it seems poignant that an acquaintance should gift him a copy in the early months of 1811, the year of his death.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
