Nelson's Lost Jewel

The Extraordinary Story of the Lost Diamond Chelengk

Martyn Downer

$39.99

Paperback

Not in-store but you can order this
How long will it take?

Availability Information

We source books from suppliers in Australia and overseas. For books we don't currently have in stock, the time it takes to get them from our suppliers can vary widely - from a few days to a few months - so we check each book with each supplier to determine the expected time it will take to be supplied to us.

We then advise you accordingly. If the time taken to get any book is too long for you, you can let us know and we will cancel or adjust your order, and refund as required.

To find out the anticipated arrival time for specific items prior to ordering, please contact us by phone or email:

Phone +61 2 9264 3111, or 1800 4 BOOKS (1800 4 26657) if outside Sydney:
option 1 Abbey's Bookshop (Crime, History, Science, Kids & more) • info@abbeys.com.au
option 2 Language Book Centre (ESL & Foreign Languages) • language@abbeys.com.au
option 3 Galaxy Bookshop (Sci-fi, Fantasy, Romance, Graphic Novels) • sf@galaxybooks.com.au

QTY:

English

The History Press Ltd
01 May 2021

Biography: historical, political & military; Maritime history; Napoleonic Wars; Naval forces & warfare

The first book to tell the remarkable story of one of Britain's most famous jewels, tracing its journey from Constantinople to London.

Admiral Lord Nelson's diamond Chelengk is one of the most famous and iconic jewels in British history. Presented to Nelson by the Sultan Selim III of Turkey after the Battle of the Nile in 1798, the jewel had thirteen diamond rays to represent the French ships captured or destroyed at the action. A central diamond star on the jewel was powered by clockwork to rotate in wear. Nelson wore the Chelengk on his hat like a turban jewel, sparking a fashion craze for similar jewels in England. The jewel became his trademark to be endlessly copied in portraits and busts to this day.

After Trafalgar, the Chelengk was inherited by Nelson's family and worn at the Court of Queen Victoria. Sold at auction in 1895 it eventually found its way to the newly opened National Maritime Museum in Greenwich where it was a star exhibit. In 1951 the jewel was stolen in a daring raid by an infamous cat-burglar and lost forever.

For the first time, Martyn Downer tells the extraordinary true story of the Chelengk: from its gift to Nelson by the Sultan of Turkey to its tragic post-war theft, charting the jewel's journey through history and forging sparkling new and intimate portraits of Nelson, of his friends and rivals, and of the woman he loved.

AUTHOR: Martyn Downer is the world s leading specialist in objects, relics and artefacts relating to the life and career of Admiral Lord Nelson. Formerly Head of Jewellery at Sotheby s, London, he is the author of several books, including Nelson s Purse, a best-selling account of his discovery of a lost trove of Nelson treasures.

36 colour illustrations

By: Martyn Downer
Imprint: The History Press Ltd
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Edition: 2nd edition
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm,
ISBN: 9780750994279
ISBN 10: 0750994274
Pages: 288
Publication Date: 01 May 2021
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Unspecified

Martyn Downer is the world’s leading specialist in objects, relics and artefacts relating to the life and career of Admiral Lord Nelson. Formerly Head of Jewellery at Sotheby’s, London, he is the author of several books, including Nelson’s Purse, a best-selling account of his discovery of a lost trove of Nelson treasures. martyndowner.com