Letters patent appointing Maurice Suckling Comptroller of the Navy ("...except those thereof relating to the Comptrolling of the Treasurers Storekeepers and Victualling accounts...") in succession to Sir Hugh Palliser, at an annual salary of £500, on one membrane of vellum, engraved initial portrait and decorated foliate borders, blue paper duty seal, trimmed at lower margin, neatly restored and extended at foot with two reproduction pendant seals attached on cords, mounted, framed and glazed, unexamined out of frame, folio (530 x 765mm.), with frame 995 x 1035mm., Westminster, 12 April 1775 (2)

Footnotes

Suckling's elevation to Comptroller of the Navy was to have a decisive influence in fostering the nascent career of his nephew, Horatio Nelson; and indeed he presided at the examining board when Nelson passed as lieutenant, a year early, in 1777. Suckling's bravery and conduct during an illustrious career at sea encouraged the twelve-year-old Nelson to join up and served as a constant inspiration to him throughout his life. Suckling proved to be an able administrator: 'Like his predecessor, Sir Hugh Palliser, Suckling was, by dint of ability and detailed naval knowledge, of fundamental value to Lord Sandwich in his extensive reform of naval administration' (Ruddock Mackay, ODNB). A framed modern photographic reproduction of Thomas Bardwell's portrait of Suckling is included in the lot.

Provenance: Christies, Trafalgar Bicentenary sale, 19 October 2005, lot 178.

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NAVAL – MAURICE SUCKLING Letters patent appointing Maurice Suckling Comptroller of the Navy, Westminster, 12 April 1775 (2)

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