Saturday, March 16, 2013

Philatelic Photograph: Lords Nelson Statue - Bridgetown, Barbados


Interesting Places I've Visited
Lord Nelson Statue
Bridgetown, Barbados
Topic: Philatelic Photographs

GPS: N13° 05.808; W059° 36.864

Quick Description: 

The first statue ever erected to honor Admiral Horatio (Lord) Nelson is located in Heroes' (formerly Trafalgar) Square in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Long Description:

The statue of Admiral Nelson was sculpted by Sir Richard Westmacott and erected on March 22, 1813 in the former Trafalgar Square, now called Heroes' Square. It was the earliest monument to Admiral Nelson, predating the Nelson Column in Trafalgar Square, London by almost 30 years.

Admiral Nelson was considered a hero by Bajans for his battles with the French, in 1805. The French controlled several nearby Caribbean islands and many islands in the Caribbean changed hands frequently. Barbados, however, remained under British rule until they achieved independence in 1966.

The 6.5' tall bronze statue depicts Admiral Nelson in full military uniform standing with his right hand over his heart. His left hand is resting on a partially draped object. Beneath the statue and on the front of the pedestal is the inscription:


NELSON

Three plaques provided information about the artist, statue and the Admiral. The artist plaque is inscribed:


SIR RICHARD WESTMACOTT R. A.
SCULPTOR
1744 - 1830
The dedication plaque is inscribed:


THIS STATUE
IN HONOUR OF THE HERO
THE INHABITANTS OF THIS ISLAND
ERECTED A.D. MDCCCXII

The biography plaque is inscribed:


HORATIO VISCOUNT AND BARON
NELSON
VICE ADMIRAL OF THE WHITE, K. B.
COMMANDED AND CONQUERED
ON THE FIRST OF AUGUST MDCCXCIX AT
THE NILE:
ON THE SECOND OF APRIL MDCCCI AT
COPENHAGEN
AND AT
TRAFALGAR
WHERE HE FELL IN THE MOMENT
OF VICTORY
ON THE TWENTY FIRST OF OCTOBER
MDCCV

The stamp was issued by Barbados on  May 1, 1950 as part of a set of nine stamps depicting sites in Barbados.  Web link: http://www.barbados.org/lord-nelson-statue-barbados.htm

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