"The Authentic Nelson investigates the dispersal of Nelson's possessions and traces their regrouping into public and private collections. It looks at the ways the 'Nelson relics' have been used in museum displays and naval exhibitions, how some of these displays have been the target for burglaries, and how later copies and deliberate fakes have confused the story for collectors and curators. It also traces the history of Nelson's personal and shipboard belongings, from his uniform and clothing, medals and orders, furniture, weapons, telescopes and other equipment, to his watches and jewellery, domestic porcelain and table linen, silver and other valuable presentations." "The second half of the book is a catalogue of the surviving objects once owned by Nelson and now in museum collections and private ownership. It is arranged into sections according to type and ends with the objects relating to his death and funeral. The detailed catalogue descriptions enable comparisons to be made with some of the Nelson material that is still constantly coming to light, and provide an aid to authenticating new discoveries."--BOOK JACKET.