177 - A REPLICA FULL DRESS 1795-PATTERN UNIFORM FOR VICE ADMIRAL LORD NELSON BY HENRY POOLE & CO, LONDON, 2005

A REPLICA FULL DRESS 1795-PATTERN UNIFORM FOR VICE ADMIRAL LORD NELSON BY HENRY POOLE & CO, LONDON, 2005 after the example seen in the portrait by Leonardo Guzzardi of c.1798, tailored from original archival patterns and comprising a navy blue wool cloth coat with white silk quilted lining, regulation gold braid with forty gilt brass regulation buttons, bullion epaulettes with two stars, the right arm with retention button loop, facsimile orders sewn over left breast, together with a white wool regulation waistcoat and pair of breeches, sashes with facsimile decorations for the Orders of the Bath and of Saint Joachim, and two facsimile silver gilt naval gold medals on neck ribbands, mounted on a tailor's dummy with tripod feet -- 56in. (142cm.) high (5) Henry Poole & Co of Savile Row were established in 1806 specialising in naval and military tailoring. As such, they have an exhaustive archive that includes the uniform patterns, which weren't updated until 1815, and they were uniquely placed to produce exacting copies, cut and finished to an authentic standard the Admiral himself would have approved. This uniform, made to special commission during the Trafalgar bicentenary year of 2005, is a 'working' replica of Nelson's in that the pockets are lined, the hooks and eyes alternate down the front so a gust of wind can't blow it open, the upper back and shoulders are quilted, and it would have been very warm. One or two moth holes to waistcoat and a small one on back of main coat, otherwise in fine condition.