Hornblower Gift Ideas

"Don't say I didn't warn you about the mall, Mr. Bush...  Do you see a parking spot yet?"

Looking for the perfect gift for the Hornblower junkie in your life (or just searching for more Hornblower-esque loot for your wish list)?  If your favorite HH fan (or you) already have the movies and books, some of the following might delight.  (Please note that any links to merchants used here are merely listed for convenience's sake and not to be taken as an endorsement of that particular online store or product.)

Hornblower-Specific Gifts

Art Prints - There are all sorts of Hornblower-based paintings and prints available for purchase.  Here are just a few:

• Hornblower and the Indefatigable by Robert Taylor - A lovely painting of the Indefatigable set during a moment when Hornblower would have been serving aboard her.

• Hornblower and the Atropos by Robert Taylor - Another gorgeous print.

• HMS Indefatigable by Geoff Hunt - Another moment during Hornblower's service on the Indy, shortly after the capture of the Droits de l'Homme.

• Book cover prints - Prints of early Hornblower book covers ready to be framed!

• Captain Horatio Hornblower movie posters - Bring the Classic!Hornblower squee home with these reproductions of the vintage movie posters starring Gregory Peck.

• Autographed photos of the actors from Hornblower are all over the Internet (particularly eBay), so if you don't have time to write and request a personalized one, an online search of movie collectible sites is the way to go.

The Hornblower Collection-in leather - Paperback copies of the novels are great to use for everyday reading and reference, but what better way to decorate the Hornblower addict's home than with these handsome leather editions from the the Easton Press?  Pricey, but guh.  Your best chance of finding these babies is on eBay.

Hornblower Cruises gift certificates - For fans on the West Coast.  Being at sea is cool.  Being at sea on a ship under the name "Hornblower" is even cooler. 

Horatio's gift certificates - Again, for fans on the West Coast.  This restaurant might be named for a different Horatio (Nelson, to be exact), but the nautical theme and the first name alone is enough to inspire squee-age.

"Horatio the Hornblower" - A Department 56 collectible (that, incidentally, looks nothing like Ioan Gruffudd) whose name alone is enough to bring a smile to a fan's face--primarily thanks to Halle ("the") Berry's gaffe when announcing the winner of the 1999 Emmy Award for Best Miniseries.  (By the way, these things are all over eBay.)

Horatio Hornblower woodcrafted doll - According to the artist this doll is based on Captain Sir Horatio Hornblower. 

Customized Lt. Bush/Napoleonic Era RN fashion doll - This lady takes clothing Barbie and Ken to a whole new level.  While she says she is currently not taking commissions, she does leave a link on her site to contact her so if you are really desperate for something like this the right price might bring her out of hiatus.

Fandom Related Gifts:

Multi-region DVD player - An essential item for the Hornblower fan whose tastes in movies may require them to search outside their country's region. 

Dedicate a tree in Victory Woods - In honor of the bicentennial of the Battle of Trafalgar, the Woodland Trust (UK) is planting a new wood for each of the 27 ships of the line which participated and an additional one in recognition of the support vessels.  They are offering the opportunity for people to dedicate trees to others for a donation.  If a dedication is too pricey, for a smaller fee, you can send a tree planting donation for the Trafalgar Woods project.

Trafalgar 200 gifts - Didn't get to Portsmouth for the bicentennial of the Battle of Trafalgar?  No worries!  You can still get all sorts of souvenirs of the event at this website!