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Lot 5321
A GROUP OF FIVE CHINESE EXPORT PORCELAIN PLATES, 18TH CENTURY, all with damage, comprising one in the Imari palette, the rim with flowerhead panels, possibly for the Dutch market, the remainder blue and white including two rectangular serving dishes with cut-off corners, another with riveted repairs (losses). First 35cm (5)
Lot 561
Items of Surgeons Tools of HMS Vengeance Interest, the first being a surgeons saw with a carved whale bone handle, the saw blade stamped “WEEDON” and a double edged knife with polished blade and composition grip. Both are housed in a blackened tin, painted to the lid “H.M.S VENGEANCE SURGEON”, the interior of the lid has an engraved presentation, “Royal humane Society Instituted 1774 – Instruments used in time of battle on board H.M.S Vengeance while taking the Entrepeant on the 13th day of March 1761 presented to John Elliott having served and supported the Newfoundland Voluntary Fund for Needy Sailors and their Families – Camp Hunter Heights – 20th May 1802 AD”. Both instruments show different degrees of age and wear. Comes with a selection of photocopied research.
Lot 391
Charles J Lundgren (New York, Connecticut, 1911 - 1988) "Tovarisch I" Original oil painting on masonite. Signed lower right. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the USSR 4k Tovarisch I stamp issued September 18, 1981. The glorious age of sail comes back to life as the Tovarisch I glides gracefully along, sails pulling like winged horses, outward bound on a fair wind to England, the Mediterranean, or perhaps some far off port of call in China or South America. Originally a four-masted, full-rigged jute clipper christened the Laureston, this historic vessel, with an overall length of 290 ft. and 2,470 tons was the pride of England. She was launched by Workman and Clark of London on October 17, 1892, and underwent a significant change in 1909 when she was reduced to a bark in order to reduce the number of crewmen needed and to further cutback other maintenance expenditures. In 1911 she was sold to Russia who then used her for transporting coal and rails from England to Murmansk. After undergoing extensive repairs and refitting in 1923, she was renamed the Tovarisch I (Russian for "comrade"). The Tovarisch I is most interesting, ingenious, and when properly handled, a highly effective piece of engineering ... she uses only the wind for fuel and consumes nothing she does not carry with her. Just as in the past, the Tovarisch I today offers men a challenging and fully satisfying life without stress, but with instead the deep satisfaction of the exercise of a splendid natural skill. Image Size: 19.25 x 22 in. Overall Size: 25 x 27 in. Unframed. (B07185)
Lot 393
Charles J Lundgren (New York, Connecticut, 1911 - 1988) "HMS Resolution and HMS Discovery At Nootka, Alaska" Original oil painting on masonite. Signed lower left. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the Canada 14c Nootka Sound stamp issued April 26, 1978. Captain James Cook's explorations of Canada's Atlantic and Pacific Coasts and the St. Lawrence River helped shape Canada's future. Having gained favorable notice in his explorations of the St. Lawrence River, Cook went on to produce brilliant charts of the Newfoundland coast which helped to expand the island's fishery and reduce France's power in the area. In 1768 the British admiralty commissioned Cook to lead a scientific expedition to Tahiti; that year was the start of three epic, world-circling voyages which lasted until 1779. Cook's third voyage, organized to seek the legendary "Northwest Passage" from the Pacific side, was, for Canada, the most significant of his voyages. Departing from England in 1776, he sailed into Nootka Sound, part of Vancouver Island, in March 1778. He and his men, including George Vancouver and William Bligh, were the first Europeans to land in that region. They claimed it for Britain and established friendly relations with Chief Maquinna and his Nootka Indians. Then, the audacious Cook sailed north for three thousand miles beyond the Bering Strait in search of the elusive "Passage," but turned back when confronted by massive ice floes. Cook returned to Hawaii for the winter, where an encounter with the natives cost him and four officers their lives. Image Size: 18.25 x 19.75 in. Overall Size: 21 x 23 in. Unframed. (B05177)
Lot 394
Charles A Knotek (American, 1933 - 2008) "First Airship Flight Around the World" Original Mixed Media painting on Illustration Board. Signed lower middle. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood Commemorative Cover for the Man's Conquest of the Heavens series issued in 1983. After World War I the first dirigible airship Germany was allowed to build for her own use was the Graf Zeppelin. Her commander, Dr. Hugo Eckener, set out at once to prove her superior worth as well as the feasibility and comfort of long-distance travel in the huge airships. His chosen method of proof: a trip around the world. At that time, the feat had been accomplished only once, by two American Army airplanes making 72 stops over a 6 month period. To finance his voyage, Eckener gleaned the profits from the sale of thousands of commemorative postage stamps; charged passengers a fee of $2500 each; and got the backing of publishers. One of them, William Randolph Hearst, contributed one hundred thousand dollars, with the stipulation that the flight begin and end on American soil. Thus, the Graf Zeppeling began its amazing journey from Lakehurst, New Jersey. Traveling at an average speed of 70 mph, 20 passengers and 41 crewmen dined on gourmet foods and fine wines as they drifted above the barren wilderness of such places as Russia and Siberia, passing over many lands never seen by people from the air before. In a total of twelve days in the air, the Zeppelin covered 20,500 miles, landing once again in Lakehurst on August 29th. A fabulous tickertape parade up Broadway in New York greeted the passengers and crew, and praise came from many sources including the new American President, Herbert Hoover. Dr. Eckener had made his point and the age of the great airships began anew. Image Size: 12.75 x 16.25 in. Overall Size: 15 x 20 in. Unframed. (B08802)
Lot 395
Charles A Knotek (American, 1933 - 2008) "First Man Reaches the Moon" Signed lower right. Original Mixed Media painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the MIPS First Day Cover for the Marshall Islands 80c First Men on Moon stamp issued May 15, 2001. "The 'Eagle' has landed!" Millions of people on Earth thrilled to the joyful words of Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong when the famous Lunar Module landed safely on the surface of the Moon. Guided manually by Armstrong, the "Eagle" touched down on a plain near the southern edge of the Sea of Tranquility. On July 20,1969, at 10:56 p.m., EDT, Armstrong lowered himself from the ladder attached to the "Eagle," becoming the first man to walk on the Moon. Armstrong's first words as he walked on the moon poignantly capture that historic moment -- "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." Fellow astronaut Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin's soon followed from the LM, and the two men began setting up scientific instruments, taking photographs, and collecting rocks and moon dust. After 2 hours and 36 minutes on the Moon, Armstrong and Aldrin lifted off in the "Eagle" to rendezvous with Michael Collins in the command module Columbia , and began the journey back to Earth. Image Size: 12.75 x 16.25 in. Overall Size: 15 x 20 in. Unframed. (B99055)
Lot 399
Dennis Lyall (American, B. 1946) "Statue of American Patriot, U.S. Flag" Original oil painting on Canvas. Signed lower right. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day of Issue Maximum Card for the U.S. 29c 50th Anniversary of the U.S. Savings Bond stamp issued April 30, 1991. Fifty years ago, the world was at war. Adolf Hilter's armies had conquered better than a half dozen countries. Imperial Japan was expanding its boundaries, adding the riches of other countries to its coffers. The hard work of preserving freedom was left to Great Britain, the United States and a few others. In 1941, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt initiated the War Bond program, designed to raise cash for the increasingly-expensive war effort. From the outset, the program was a tremendous success, driven by patriotic Americans across the country. Ranging in denominations from $25 to $ 10,000, war bonds raised immediate cash for the Treasury Department; some $135 billion was raised in the war years. A surprisingly large portion of this -- $35 billion -- came from the "Series E" bonds, small value certificates purchased by the average American. To sell the bonds, the Treasury called on some of the biggest names in entertainment and advertising. Actress Hedy Lamarr offered a kiss to anyone who would purchase $25,000 in bonds, Betty Grable's stockings were auctioned off in exchange for war bond purchases, and Man o' War's horseshoes went for the same cause. Today, United States savings bonds are still considered an important part of the serious investor's portfolio. This artwork pays tribute to the fiftieth anniversary of the savings bond, the patriot's investment. Image Size: 14.75 x 21.25 in. Overall Size: 18 x 24.25 in. Unframed. (B12939)
Lot 400
Dennis Lyall (American, B. 1946) "U.S.F. Constellation" Original Oil painting on Canvas laid on Illustration Board. Signed lower right. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 8.4c U.S.F. Constellation Envelope issued April 12, 1988. With 36 guns, the United States Frigate (U.S.F.) Constellation was built in 1797. It was the second frigate ever built by the United States Navy. Designed for battle, the ship was launched that same year in Baltimore, Maryland. Two years later, during an undeclared war with France, Constellation became the first U.S. Navy ship to capture a foreign warship. Under the command of Commodore Thomas Truxton, the ship encountered the French frigate Insurgente in February of 1799. Of the ensuing battle, Truxton wrote, "She hailed me several times and as soon as I got in a position for every shot to do execution I answered by commencing a close and successful engagement." But discipline was stern, and Lieutenant Andrew Sterett wrote that the atmosphere on board was tense. "...we would put a man to death for even looking pale on board this ship." A year later, the Constellation engaged in yet another action against the Vengeance, also a French ship. Idle for many years after that, the Constellation was fully commissioned in 1940, and put to sea as a flagship of the Atlantic Fleet during World War II. In more recent years, anchored at Baltimore, site of its original launching, the Constellation was restored, and today is maintained there as an officially named National Historic Landmark. Image Size: 17 x 13 in. Overall Size: 20.5 x 18.5 in. Unframed. (B11575)
Lot 401
Ed Little (American, B. 1957) "Santa Clause at the Chimney Checking His List" Signed lower right. Original Oil painting on Canvas Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was featured on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 29c Santa Checking His List stamp issue of October 17, 1991. "He's making a list, checking it twice; gonna find out who's naughty or nice. Santa Claus is coming to town." During the Christmas season, this popular song can be heard over the radio, in elevators and shopping malls across America. Holiday traditions in the United States have their own unique characteristics. And Santa Claus -- so dear to the hearts of the nation's children -- is truly an American original. Developed as a character during the early 19th century, Santa Claus doffed his saintly attributes and assumed more secular, non-religious attributes. He came to personify the joyful Yuletide qualities of kindness, generosity and cheerfulness of spirit which everyone regardless of faith -- could relate to. Like England's Father Christmas, Santa Claus delivers presents to children on Christmas Eve, but he keeps a list of their requests and leaves gifts only for good boys and girls. Bad children received only lumps of coal. Thus, as the holiday approaches, many parents humorously remind their youngsters to behave -- because Santa is watching and checking his list! Image Size: 28.25 x 24.25 in. Overall Size: 36.5 x 30 in. Unframed. (B13363)
Lot 402
Ed Little (American, B. 1957) "Santa Claus Placing Gifts under Tree" Original Oil painting on Canvas Board. Signed lower left. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 29c Santa Claus Placing Gifts stamp issued October 17, 1999. Each year at Christmas time, people scurry from small shops to department stores, seeking the perfect Christmas gifts for their loved ones. This generous, sometimes costly tradition is rooted in ancient Biblical history. The three magi, eastern kings following the Star of Bethlehem to the stable where Jesus was born, presented gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the newly-born Christ Child. These wise men thus laid the foundation for one of Christmas' most delightful traditions. Although adherence to the custom waxed and waned during the Dark and early Middle Ages, gift-giving was a common practice by the 12th century, especially among the royalty and nobles. Under the onus of feudalism, most lords presented their retinues and vassals with gifts of money. But their own gift exchanges were often lavish, ostentatious and exotic -- such as the elephant which the King of France gave England's Henry III in 1236. America's Santa Claus is a sprightly soul and the holidays ultimate gift-giver. Operating from a list of requests compiled during the year, Santa knows exactly what each child -- and adult -- has yearned for, and he stuffs each stocking with loving care and piles mounds of packages under the tree. Image Size: 22.5 x 31 in. Overall Size: 30 x 40.25 in. Unframed. (B13511)
Lot 403
Ed Little (American, B. 1957) "Christmas "The Holy Tradition", Manger in Christmas Tree" Signed lower right. Original Oil painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 25c Madonna & Child stamp issued October 18, 1990. The Virgin Mary was long relegated to obscurity by Christian fathers who wanted to insure that her presence would not overshadow Christ. For centuries after the birth of Christ, Mary was depicted as a stern, austere figure whose primary function was to call attention to her child as the Son of God. Her warmth and tenderness -- indeed, her most basic human qualities -- were largely ignored until the 14th century. In the 1300's, the celebration of Christmas began to move away from Church control. Peasants who could not read or understand the Latin hymns introduced songs of their own into the liturgy, with melodies based on dance rhythms and words sung in their native tongues. These simple people, craving an intermediary for their petitions to God, perceived Mary as someone who was like them and would be sympathetic to their needs and desires. St. Francis of Assisi found a way to make Mary and her son even more real to the people: he built the first cr?che scene of the Nativity, which was overwhelmingly popular. Medieval sculptors, painters and cathedral makers exalted the Mother of God, until the simple Nazarene girl was almost lost amid the elaborateness of the art that glorified her. Image Size: 17.5 x 15 in. Overall Size: 23 x 19 in. Unframed. (B12668)
Lot 404
Erik Nitsche (Swiss, 1908 - 1998) "Christmas -- Pear Tree Boughs" Signed lower right. Original Mixed Media painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the Canada 68c Christmas stamp issued October 23, 1985. English Canada and French Canada celebrate Christmas in somewhat different ways due to their diverse European heritages. British settlers arriving in Canada brought from England the tradition of marking Christmas Day with a huge dinner featuring such old English dishes as plum pudding, mince pie, roasted fowl and beef. Houses were decorated with wintergreen and cranberry branches when holly and mistletoe were not found. Christmas Eve was the day for social visits and drinking, and Christmas Day brought family reunions, exchanging gifts and sleigh rides. However, French Canadians, particularly those whose homeland was Normandy, maintained more religious customs for Christmas. After celebrating messe de minuit (Midnight Mass), the reveillon de No?l was held. Like the British settlers, the celebration included a family feast followed by dancing and party games until daybreak. Exchanging gifts was reserved for Jour de l'An (New Year's Day) when children learned about Pere No?l who brought presents from the Christ Child. But, after the nineteenth century, a change in Christmas celebrations occurred in Canada. The origins of many of the present-day customs can be traced back to Germany, where delightful traditions were popularized in England by Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria. Continuing this unique blend of Christmas traditions, Canadians today enjoy feasting, gift-giving and decorating with greenery much the same as their colonial counterparts. Image Size: 14 x 12 in. Overall Size: 20 x 15 in. Unframed. (B09890)
Lot 405
Erik Nitsche (Swiss, 1908 - 1998) "Hansel and Gretel" Signed lower right. Original Mixed Media painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the German 80pf Jakob and Wilhelm Grimm stamp issued January 1, 1985. Known as the fathers of German philology, and publishers of the beloved Grimm's Fairy Tales, the brothers Jakob and Wilhelm Grimm contributed enormously to Germany's literary heritage. In 1812, the Grimm brothers published their first collection of tales, entitled Kinder- und Hausmarchen (Tales of Children and the Home.) The stories included had been collected from peasants and villagers and then put into literary form by Wilhelm. In addition to this work, the brothers edited other bits of folklore and primitive literature they uncovered. This work led to the publication of two volumes of Deutsche Sagen (German Legends) between 1816 and 1818. Their studies of folklore naturally led the Grimms to develop an interest in the relationship of the ancient German language with the modern. In 1819, the first edition of Jakob's Deutsche Grammatik (German Grammer) was published and later editions followed. In addition to this work, the brothers began work to show relationships between similar words from different languages. The rules they formulated of such relationships became known as Grimm's Law. In 1854, the brothers published the first volume of their German Dictionary which contained nearly two thousand pages and got only as far as the letter B. The project took over one hundred years to complete and included sixteen volumes. Of course, it was finished by later scholars. Image Size: 12 x 14 in. Overall Size: 15 x 20 in. Unframed. (B09299)
Lot 407
J. Craig Thorpe (American, B. 1948) "Pennsylvania Locomotive" Signed lower left. Original Oil painting on Paper. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which appeared on the Fleetwood Legendary Locomotives of the 50 States Pennsylvania Commemorative Cover postmarked May 29, 1995. On May 29, 1914, the prototype of one of the most successful mass-produced passenger locomotives ever built in America rolled out of the Pennsylvania Railroad's Juniata Works to make its first test run -- No. 1737, the premier K4s class engine. Time after time, these 4-6-2 locomotives met the challenge of handling some of the Pennsy's most severe traffic demands. A single K4s engine, for example, was capable of hauling 13 to 18 steel cars with an average weight of 50 to 60 tons each -- even at speeds over 90 miles per hour. When No. 1737 was pitted against other passenger locomotives at the famed Altoona test plant, it outperformed every engine in power development by using its fuel more efficiently than any other locomotive tested. In fact, the engine's design was so sound that all the K4s locomotives constructed from 1914 to 1928 were built to essentially the same specifications. Another attribute was their versatility. K4s engines served in main line, secondary commuter and branch line duty. Among the main line flagship trains powered by this class of locomotives were the Broadway Limited, The General, The Admiral, "The Spirit of St. Louis," the Congressional Limited and the Liberty Limited. Some K4s engines continued to serve until November 1957, when the Pennsylvania Railroad ended its use of steam-powered locomotives. No. 1737 is shown here during its break-in run from Altoona to Gallitzin via the landmark Horseshoe Curve. Image Size: 14 x 12 in. Overall Size: 18 x 15 in. Unframed. (B15104)
Lot 408
J. Craig Thorpe (American, B. 1948) "New Hampshire Locomotive" Signed lower right. Original Oil painting on Paper. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which appeared on the Fleetwood Legendary Locomotives of the 50 States New Hampshire Commemorative Cover postmarked July 3, 1995. On July 3, 1869, the Mount Washington Railway Company -- the brainchild of wealthy businessman Sylvester Marsh opened the world's first cog mountain-climbing railway. Six times steeper than the most severe conventional railroad grades, this lofty, seven-mile line spanned more than three miles of trestle. In this particular method of transportation, a cog-and-rack system mounted between the rails allows the engines to gain traction during the precipitous ascent. Indeed, the cylinders power the cog wheel, not the weight-bearing wheels that ride the rails, as on a conventional steam engine. Even the locomotive's boiler and the passenger seats are slanted to accommodate the steep grade. The first engine to operate on this cog railway was "Old Peppersass," named for its resemblance to salt and pepper cruets. By the fall of 1868, track had been built to within three-quarters of a mile of the summit when severe cold and snow halted construction. Work did not resume until the following June. However, in just three weeks, the route from the base of Mount Washington to the Tip-Top House hotel at the true geographical summit (6,288 feet) was finished. Today, this tourist line is still in service and still totally powered by steam. Old Peppersass is retired and on display at the Base Station. More typical of the classic log railway engines is No. 1, Mount Washington, built by Manchester Locomotive Works in 1883. It is shown here crossing Jacob's Ladder, the steepest grade on the route. Image Size: 14 x 12 in. Overall Size: 18 x 15 in. Unframed. (B15111)
Lot 410
J. Craig Thorpe (American, B. 1948) "Minnesota Locomotive" Signed lower right. Original Oil painting on Paper. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which appeared on the Fleetwood Legendary Locomotives of the 50 States Minnesota Commemorative Cover postmarked July 31, 1995. With the discovery of rich, red iron ore in Minnesota's Vermillion Range came the means to transport this precious commodity to Lake Superior for transshipment to America's steel-making centers. In 1882, Charlemagne Tower and his son Charlemagne Jr. began construction of the Duluth & Iron Range Railroad (D&IR) to make such shipments possible. The following year work began on a wooden dock at Two Harbors, the terminus of this route. The dock was completed almost simultaneously with the driving of the last spike on the D&IR's main line. On July 31, 1884, the Duluth & Iron Range Railroad's locomotive No. 8 hauled Minnesota's first trainload of iron ore in five 20-ton wooden cars measuring 28 feet in length each. The iron ore came from the Breitung Mine near Soudan, and was carried to the new dock at Two Harbors, where it was loaded onto the steamer Hecla and the schooner Ironton. The engineer on this historic trip was Thomas Owens, who eventually became superintendent and vice president of the D&IR. During the first mining season, the Duluth & Iron Range shipped more than 62,000 tons of iron ore. In 1901, the railroad was purchased by U.S. Steel Corporation, and in 1930, the D&IR merged with the Duluth, Missabe & Northern to become the Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range. Pictured here is the D&IR's famed No. 8 at the ore docks at Two Harbors. This 2-8-0 freight engine was built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1883. Image Size: 14 x 12 in. Overall Size: 18 x 15 in. Unframed. (B15144)
Lot 411
J. Craig Thorpe (American, B. 1948) "North Carolina Locomotive" Signed lower right. Original Oil painting on Paper. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which appeared on the Fleetwood Legendary Locomotives of the 50 States North Carolina Commemorative Cover postmarked July 4, 1995. To connect the North Carolina towns of Asheville and Tryon by rail, engineer and ex-Confederate Army Captain Charles W. Pearson was faced with no alternative but to build this railroad straight up the side of Mount Saluda in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Regarded by one railroad official as "undoubtedly the most dangerous and critical stretch of mainline railroad anywhere in the country," this route proved to be just that. Two years after the first train negotiated the steep grade on July 4, 1878, a string of tragedies occurred. Between 1880 and 1893, nearly 30 men were killed by runaway trains on this perilous stretch of track. Alarmed by such a great loss of life, the Southern Railway conducted a survey to determine if a route avoiding Mount Saluda could be developed. However, it was concluded that Captain Pearson had taken the only feasible course of action. In 1903, the line was plagued by three more runaways. In one of the incidents, the engineer lost control of his train halfway down the mountain, yet the crew stayed aboard trying to rectify the situation. The following day the headline of the Asheville Citizen read: "DEATH CLAIMS TWO HEROES IN 'SLAUGHTER PEN CUT.'" Featured here is No. 5000, a 2-10-2 type steam engine built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works, employed as a helper engine at the rear to assist the regular passenger engine. The track to the left is a runaway safety track, used only in emergencies, which harmlessly brings to a halt any out-of-control trains or engines. Image Size: 14 x 12 in. Overall Size: 18 x 15 in. Unframed. (B15124)
Lot 412
Jack Fellows (American, B. 1941) "Mk.I Swordfish" Signed lower left. Original Oil painting on Masonite. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Republic of the Marshall Islands 32c Mk.I Swordfish stamp issued November 1, 1996. On April 11, 1940, taking off from the carrier HMS Furious, a Fairey Mk.I Swordfish made the first coordinated torpedo attack in the history of naval warfare. Two days later, a Swordfish flying from HMS Warspite spotted and sunk the German submarine U-64, Britain Fleet Air Arm's first German U-boat sinking of World War II. Image Size: 16.5 x 14 in. Overall Size: 18 x 15.25 in. Unframed. (B15529)
Lot 416
John Swatsley (American, B. 1937) "1890s Railway Mail Train" Signed lower left. Original Oil painting on Illustration Board painting. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original which appeared on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. (25c) E Earth Rate Change coil stamp issued March 22, 1988. The steam engine brought many changes to the country, offering sturdy, reliable transportation, often over a vast wilderness. Communication from the frontier had always been a problem, and now, the railroads came to solve it. Chugging onward, the "Iron Horse" quickly proved its worth to even the most skeptical of its detractors. In 1864, the Railway Mail Service was instituted to provide fast local service, and trains with specially designed Postal Cars were quickly attached to rugged engines. Agents sorted as the trains rolled on, and then, by hand, they transferred mail sacks as the trains slowed at designated pick-up spots. Later, special cranes were utilized to facilitate better coordinated mail swaps, and by 1875, the system had spread into even wider use. On into the 20th century, Mail Trains delivered mail over some 586 million miles per year. Today, instead of crossing continents, the mail must span a globe, and in ever-faster time. Image Size: 14 x 12 in. Overall Size: 20.25 x 18 in. Unframed. (B11426)
Lot 417
John Swatsley (American, B. 1937) "CPR D-10 Locomotive with the Engineer & Conductor" Signed lower right. Original Oil painting on Illustration Board painting. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the Canadian block of four Locomotive stamps issued October 25, 1984. Beginning in the early nineteenth century, the railway in Canada was an invaluable form of transportation. For the automobile had not even been invented and the only other way to traverse the vast expanses of Canada was by horse or foot. The first railway of the nation -- the Champlain and St. Lawrence -- linked the St. Lawrence River with the Lake Champlain River system. The Canadian Northern Railway began in Manitoba and soon stretched far into the Prairie Provinces. By the turn of the century, Canada had thousands upon thousands of miles of railway. Image Size: 14 x 12 in. Overall Size: 20.5 x 18 in. Unframed. (B08991)
Lot 420
Keith Reynolds (American, B. 1929) "Dutch Ship Eendracht" Signed lower right. Original Oil painting on Canvas Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting originally appeared on the Republic of the Marshall Islands 20c Dutch Ship Eendracht stamp issued September 23, 1994. It is believed that the Dutch Ship Eendracht was the first vessel to reach the Pacific Ocean via the Straits of Le Maire, located at the tip of South America along Tierra del Fuego. Perhaps the Eendracht used that route on January 25, 1625, the date ancient records reveal that the ship sailed by the northern reaches of the Marshall Islands. Under the command of Admiral Gheen Schapenham, the Eendracht's crew sighted Taongi, an island group situated in the northeast region of the Marshalls. Although many Pacific-bound fleets of that era were taken over the by Dutch East Indian Company -- a business that was established to protect Dutch trade interests in the Indian Ocean and assist in that nation's war for independence from Spain -- the Eendracht was the exception. The following year she returned to the Netherlands. Image Size: 13.5 x 24 in. Overall Size: 20 x 24 in. Unframed. (B14773)
Lot 421
Mel Crawford (Canadian, B. 1925) "Great Seal of Florida" Signed lower right. Original Mixed Media painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood Great Seal of the State of Florida Commemorative Cover issued March 3, 1984. Anticipating statehood, the territory of Florida called a general assembly in 1838 to draw up a constitution for the future state. Part of the constitution stated "the first elected Governor should select the new seal design." Seven years later, when Florida joined the Union, Governor William D. Moseley exercised his constitutional right and had a new seal designed. Succeeding officials did not like the seal and changed it several times, until it evolved into the grand seal it is today. In the background is a side-wheeler boat representing transportation. Rising above the boat is the framed sun of Florida. A sabal palmetto palm rises toward the warmth of the sun, and beneath it stands a native Indian girl. At one point during the evolution of the seal, an artist who had never been to Florida was commissioned to improve the seal's design. However, in addition to improving it, he also portrayed the sun rising from behind towering mountains. The female Indian was depicted with a crown of eagle feathers . . . quite unlike any Florida Indians. After numerous letters of complaint from the residents of Florida, the mountains were removed, and the Indian girl's headdress was corrected. Image Size: 12 x 12 in. Overall Size: 15 x 15 in. Unframed. (B08615)
Lot 422
Mel Crawford (Canadian, B. 1925) "Cameroon Scenes" Signed lower right. Original Mixed Media painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.N. 15c Cameroon Flags of the U.N. Series stamp issued September 26, 1980. One of Africa's most diverse countries, the United Republic of Cameroon boasts two official languages and more than one hundred fifty different ethnic groups. Even the geography and climate differ from one region to another, making for a cultural variety that ranges from forest-dwelling Pygmies to nomadic desert tribesmen. Perhaps the most spectacular sight in all of Cameroon is at Mt. Cameroon overlooking the Gulf of Guinea. It is the highest point in West Africa, rising 13,350 feet. An active volcano, the mountain has rich soils, and rainfall on the seaward slope averages more than four hundred inches a year, making it one of the wettest places on earth. Thus, the Republic of Cameroon supports an agricultural economy. Most of the people are subsistence farmers and, though poor in terms of dollars, they raise enough food to feed their families. Cacao is the major export crop and most of it is raised on 200,000 small farms. Coffee is the second most important export crop. The capital of Cameroon is Yaound?, and the leading port and largest city is Douala. In 1961, the people of the Cameroon Republic, living under French administration, merged with the British-administered territory of the Cameroons. The two areas are now component states of the United Republic of Cameroon, called East and West Cameroon respectively. English and French are the two official languages. Today, the people live under their own Constitution headed by a President who is elected to five-year terms. Image Size: 14 x 12 in. Overall Size: 17.75 x 15 in. Unframed. (B06114)
Lot 423
Mel Crawford (Canadian, B. 1925) "Jackie Robinson" Signed lower right. Original Mixed Media painting on Cold Press Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 20 Jackie Robinson stamp issued August 2, 1982. "I remember standing alone at first base -- the only black man on the field. I had to fight hard against loneliness, abuse, and the knowledge that any mistake I made would be magnified because I was the only black man out there. I had to fight hard to become just another guy." Such were the memories of one of baseball's greatest athletes, Jack Roosevelt Robinson, the first black American to break major league baseball's color barrier when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. Indeed, it was an uphill fight for Robinson, for the taunts, name-calling and physical threats he received were to become a way of life at first. But despite the pressure of racial hostility, "Jackie" became an immediate success, and went on to become one of the most exciting baseball players of his era, earning the respect of Brooklyn fans of all colors and the love of black Americans from coast to coast. In fact, in the spring of his first year with the Dodgers, Jackie stunned the world of baseball by leading the National League in stolen bases, and for doing so, was chosen Rookie of the Year. Over the years, Jackie's fame as an exciting, versatile competitor and an electrifying base runner grew tremendously, eventually earning him major league baseball's highest honor ... induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962. This resulted from his dual contribution to baseball -- his brilliance on the field and his courageous struggle that paved the way for hundreds of black athletes who followed. Image Size: 14.25 x 12.25 in. Overall Size: 17.25 x 14.75 in. Unframed. (B07461)
Lot 426
Michael Garland (American, B. 1952) "Huckleberry Finn" Signed lower right. Original Oil painting on Cold Press Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 29c The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn stamp issued October 23, 1993. Born Samuel Langhorne Clemens on November 30, 1835, Mark Twain spent his childhood in Hannibal, Missouri, along the banks of the Mississippi River. As a boy, Twain was exposed to the romance and violence of river life. He was enchanted by the steamships, keelships and huge lumber rafts that coursed the mighty river. And he was awed by the professional gamblers, confidence men and indigent raftsmen, quick to settle their disputes with fists, knives or derringers. Indeed, the Mississippi River and the many intriguing characters who spent their lives along her banks, made an indelible mark on Twain. In his novel Huckleberry Finn, Twain places Huck, the story's narrator, in situations that allow the author to impart the essence of pre-Civil War life along the Mississippi. Considered by many to be Twain's finest work, Huckleberry Finn tells of the moral complexities of a boy's growing up. Huck, the son of the village drunkard, lacks any formal education, is prone to superstition and is sometimes credulous; but he also has an instinctive shrewdness, a persistent cheerfulness and an intuitive propensity for making the right decisions about important matters. Huck and his companion Jim, a runaway slave, make a long journey down the Mississippi. The story is full of adventure, but it also has an underlying theme of man's cruelty to his fellow man, a subject that appeared in many of Twain's later works. Image Size: 14 x 12 in. Overall Size: 17 x 15 in. Unframed. (B14251)
Lot 427
Chris Calle (American, B. 1961) "Eagle Carvings" Signed lower right. Original Mixed Media painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day of Cover for the U.S. E-Series Official Mail stamp which issued March 22, 1988. Flying free and proud, the American eagle soars above the plains. In her magnificent flight, she captures the spirit of a nation. For, from the very days when America's liberty was formed, the strength and pride of the eagle has been a guiding force. And, in 1782, the eagle was chosen as a symbol of the budding republic. Even in folk art, America reflects the influence of this majestic bird. In the early 1800's as the towns of New England forged a living from the sea, woodcarvings of the eagle often led her ships to bountiful catches and safe ports. Crafting figureheads out of wood became an art and the eagle, carved in fine detail, was a favorite subject. All along the Atlantic seaboard, masters of the craft set up shops near the shipyards, as ship captains sought the best of their designs. The carvings soon came to be used on stem board and mast board, and to adorn furniture and interior and exterior architectural elements, too. And thus, the American eagle was portrayed in many artful forms. One of the carvings depicted on this painting features a beautifully streamlined figurehead, and the art offers a likeness of a New England ship captain who might have bought it. Image Size: 15.75 x 13.25 in. Overall Size: 22 x 29.25 in. Unframed. (B11492)
Lot 429
Paul Calle (1928 - 2010) and Chris Calle (B. 1961) "1950s - World Series Rivals" Original Mixed Media painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 33c World Series Rivals stamp issued May 26, 1999. Baseball has always been America's great national pastime. In 1876, the National League of Professional Baseball Clubs was organized. The rival American League followed suit in 1901. As World War II came to a close, many of the sport's most talented players returned to the game from overseas duty. Subsequently, baseball fever swept the nation during the 1950s. Who could forget such Brooklyn greats as Don Newcombe, Duke Snider, Roy Campanella, Pee Wee Reese and Jackie Robinson? The Yanks boasted stars like Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford, Billy Martin, Yogi Berra and Phil Rizzuto. In 1951, the first baseball game was nationally televised -- a three-game playoff between the New York Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers for the National League crown. In 1952, the American League's New York Yankees and the National League's Brooklyn Dodgers met for baseball's premier event, the World Series. The Yankees swept the Series four games to three. The two teams met again in the following year's World Series. Again, the Yankees came out on top, winning 4-2 in games. In 1955, the Yankees were singing a different song as the Dodgers swept the Series four games to three. The next year, however, the Yanks were back in top form, winning the 1956 World Series four games to three. Image Size: 15 x 12.75 in. Overall Size: 23 x 16 in. Unframed. (B16417 / B16418)
Lot 430
Paul Calle (1928 - 2010) and Chris Calle (B. 1961) "1950s - Rock 'n Roll" Signed lower right. Original Mixed Media painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 33c Rock 'n' Roll stamp issued May 26, 1999. In 1954, Cleveland disc jockey Alan Freed coined the term "Rock 'n' Roll" to describe the loud, rebellious music that was rapidly gaining favor with America's youth. Drawing its influences from African-American blues and southern hillbilly traditions, Rock 'n' Roll gave its devotees a wide diversity of sounds, ranging from strong eight-note beats over a static harmony, to ballads and speeded-up versions of the 12-bar blues. In 1955, the popular film Blackboard Jungle featured Bill Haley and the Comets singing Rock Around the Clock. This wildly energetic tune was the first Rock 'n' Roll number to be recorded by a major label, as well as the first to reach a national audience -- selling an amazing 22 million copies. Influential Rock 'n' Roll artists included Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley -- the most famous Rock 'n' Roller of all. The biggest hit of 1956 was Presley's Heartbreak Hotel. His follow-up hits Don't Be Cruel and Hound Dog solidified Presley's status as the "King of Rock 'n' Roll". From the beginning, Rock 'n' Roll was attacked on grounds that it contributed to the moral decadence of American society. Rock 'n' Roll thrived, however, forever changing American language, dress and culture. Image Size: 16 x 13.5 in. Overall Size: 23 x 16 in. Unframed. (B16396 / B16397)
Lot 432
Peter Barrett (British, B. 1935) "Alaskan Malamute and Collie" Signed lower left. Original Watercolor painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 20c Alaskan Malamute and Collie stamp issued April 4, 1985. The vast frozen tundras of the north are home for the beautiful Alaskan Malamute. Sturdy and hard working creatures, these dogs bear the name of the Malemiut Eskimo tribe which has used them for centuries to haul their sleds over the snow and ice. The exact origin of the Alaskan Malamute is shrouded in mystery, although it is believed that the dogs migrated to North America with their masters from eastern Asia long ago. This hardy breed of dog is noted for its stout build and a thick wooly coat with a distinctive mask of white and black. Although this working dog is known for its remarkable strength and endurance, the Alaskan Malamute's gentle and affectionate nature has made it one of America's favorite family pets. The Collie is another working dog which has gained favor with the American family. More than three centuries ago, the Collie was bred in Scotland to be an agile work dog to herd flocks of sheep. The modern Collie retains this herding instinct and has been known to watch over children at play and even retrieve youngsters which wander away from the group. A faithful and loyal dog, the Collie is protective of his master and is an excellent guardian of its family and home. Image Size: 8.25 x 11.5 in. Overall Size: 15 x 17.25 in. Unframed. (B99010)
Lot 433
Peter Barrett (British, B. 1935) "Chesapeake Bay Retriever and Cocker Spaniel" Signed lower left. Original Watercolor painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original which appeared on the Fleetwood First Day of Issue Maximum Card for the U.S. 20c Chesapeake Bay Retriever adn Cocker Spaniel stamp issued September 7, 1984. America's Chesapeake Bay Retriever has a romantic origin which began in 1807 when an English sailing vessel wrecked in a storm off the coast of Maryland. A nearby American ship rescued the English captain and his crew from the sinking ship ... along with two small puppies -- a liver colored male and a black female. As a gift from the English sailors for the gracious hospitality extended to them by their rescuers, the two puppies were given to the Americans. Later, the two dogs produced a fearless breed of retrievers -- perfect for duck shooting along the Chesapeake Bay. Today the dogs are known as Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. These beautiful animals have curly coats of reddish-brown hair and are known for their passion for water. Strong and active, these good natured dogs make excellent pets. The American Cocker Spaniel is another dog which is at home near the water. These affectionate little dogs are excellent swimmers and have a proud hunting heritage. The American Cocker Spaniels have developed large appealing eyes and a soft feathery coat which have made this beautiful dog almost irresistible. Whether accompanying the hunter or romping with children, the cheerful Cocker Spaniel is indeed one of America's most beloved dogs. Image Size: 8.25 x 11.5 in. Overall Size: 15 x 17.25 in. Unframed. (B99012)
Lot 436
Shannon Stirnweis (American, B. 1931) "Milton S. Hershey" Signed lower center. Original Oil painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which appeared on the Fleetwood First Day Cover of the 32c Milton Hershey Great Americans Series stamp issued September 13, 1995. At age 15, Milton Snavely Hershey worked as an apprentice to a confectioner in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. In 1876, after completing four years of training, the ambitious young man opened his own candy shop in Philadelphia. That venture eventually failed and Hershey returned to Lancaster. There he established the Lancaster Caramel Company, where he introduced the method of using fresh milk in the production of caramels. Having mastered that type of confectionery, Hershey sold his caramel company in 1900 for $1 million and embarked on perfecting a formula for the production of chocolate bars. Once again, milk was the magic ingredient that set his candy apart from others. In 1903, Hershey began building what would become -- despite his refusal to advertise -- the world's largest chocolate factory, on a site that is now fittingly known as Hershey, Pennsylvania. A noted philanthropist, Hershey founded the Milton Hershey School in 1909 to provide housing and education for orphaned boys. Today, the 12,000-acre campus surrounding the town of Hershey offers students college preparatory, business and vocational courses. In addition, the M.S. Hershey foundation -- supported by the bulk of the famed candymaker's fortune -- funds local public schools as well as Hershey Junior College. The man who once refused to advertise his products will forever be remembered as the creator of the "great American chocolate bar." Image Size: 21 x 18 in. Overall Size: 25.75 x 22 in. Unframed. (B15224)
Lot 437
Skip Whitcomb (American, B. 1946) "Butterflies" Signed lower right. Original Watercolor painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Collectors Panel for Mint Stamps of the World Swaziland Butterflies issued January 4, 1992. Thoreau said that the study of butterflies extends the limits of being in new directions, so that "I walk in nature with a sense of greater space and freedom. It suggests, besides, that the universe is not rough-hewn, but perfect in its details." A butterfly is among the most beautiful of creatures. There's so little structure or power to produce such a flash of light and color. Their color is partly dyes and partly diffraction of light and is similar to the colors seen on a wet oily street or in a rainbow. The colors, some brilliant and some subdued, protect the butterflies by letting them blend with their background, by advertising that they taste bad, by suddenly dazzling their pursuer, or by making them resemble a larger animal the pursuer fears. Butterflies have been seen at amazing heights by airplane pilots and far out to sea where they have landed on ships to rest during migrations. Most species eat plants, some eat insects, and some cross-pollinate the many flowers they visit. Some newly-hatched bachelor butterflies swarm around a mud puddle for days before beginning their search for a mate. There are species which like to fight, attacking birds, dogs, and people, often driving them away. Butterflies and the rest of nature were classified by Carl von Linne -- Linnaeus in Latin. His name is part of the scientific name of many butterflies, indicating that he named them first, for example, the pipevine swallowtail is Papilio philenor Linnaeus. Image Size: 20.25 x 16.25 in. Overall Size: 25 x 20 in. Unframed. (B14331)
Lot 438
Gordon Beningfield (British, 1936 - 1998) "Blue Flag" Signed lower right. Original Watercolor painting on Cold Press Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover of the U.S. 29c Blue Flag stamp issued July 24, 1992. Found in wetlands, moist meadows, and ditches in northeastern North America, blue flag blooms from May to August. The large, downward-curving "petals" actually are colored sepals, alternating with the upright petals. The purple veins on the sepals guide bees to nectar tubes at the base of the flowers. As the bees crawl toward the nectar, they collect pollen on their backs and cross-pollinate the flowers. After flowering, the fruit forms a three-lobed seed capsule that splits along the side as it dries, revealing stacks of flattened seeds. In Europe, the regal flowers of Iris species often were carved on the scepters of rulers as symbols of power. Louis VII of France chose the iris as the emblem of his royal house, which gave rise to the common name fleur-del-lis or flower of Louis. Blue flags spread by rhizomes or underground stems. Both the roots and rhizomes contain iridin, which can be poisonous to livestock and humans if ingested. Image Size: 7 x 6 in. Overall Size: 11 x 10 in. Unframed. (B12873)
Lot 439
Gordon Beningfield (British, 1936 - 1998) "Rose Mallow" Signed lower right. Original Water Color painting on Cold Press Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which appeared on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 29c Rose Mallow stamp issue of July 24, 1992. Swamp Rose-mallow Hibiscus palustris has become a garden favorite there and is naturalized throughout North America. The flower thrives in salty or brackish marshes near the coast. It grows up to seven feet high and may show fifteen to twenty blossoms at once. The flowers range in color from white to deep rose, with a creamy spike protruding from the center. Bees and humming birds are greatly attracted to the showy blossoms for the easy-to-get-at nectar. Image Size: 7 x 6 in. Overall Size: 10.5 x 9.5 in. Unframed. (B12792)
Lot 440
Gordon Beningfield (British, 1936 - 1998) "Mexican Hat" Signed lower right. Original Water Color painting on Cold Press Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover of the U.S. 29c Mexican Hat stamp issued July 24, 1992. Easy to identify with its sombrero-shaped flowers, Mexican hat grows in calcium rich soils of prairies, dry plains and roadsides. A hardy, drought tolerant perennial, Mexican hat spreads easily by seed and often covers large areas. Livestock and other herbivores frequently graze on the tender young plants. In southern climates, Mexican hat stays evergreen during mild winters. The flower heads -- attached to leafless stalks -- bloom from June to September. The sterile, drooping ray flowers vary in color from yellow to red or a combination of both colors. The tiny yellow disk flowers, arranged on an elongated, conelike structure, open from bottom to top as they mature. The cone reportedly smells like anise when crushed. Mexican hat also is called prairie coneflower. Native Americans used various parts of Mexican hat for food and medicine; the leaves and flower heads were steeped for tea, while the roots helped cure toothaches. Image Size: 7 x 6 in. Overall Size: 11.25 x 10.25 in. Unframed. (B13076)
Lot 442
Ed Vebell (American, 1921 - 2018) "Signing of Mayflower Compact" Signed lower right. Original Acrylic painting on Hot Press Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood Commemorative Cover for Epic Events in American History series issued in 1985. The legacy of England's Henry VIII included nearly a century of religious confusion and turmoil. While the majority of English embraced the established Anglican church by the late sixteenth century, some "Separatists" chose exile in Holland rather than a dilution of their beliefs. However, it was the opening of the New World that provided a divinely inspired solution to their problems. Thus in September 1620, one hundred one settlers plus officers and crew crowded aboard the little merchant ship, Mayflower, and headed for an unknown and untried destination. Two months later, the perilous ocean crossing behind them, they sighted the winterswept shores of Cape Cod. Arriving as they did in a wilderness, the "Saints" or Pilgrim leaders insisted that all agree on a covenant or compact of government before disembarking. The resulting Mayflower Compact , the first American "constitution," was signed by all the men who pledged to "combine ourselves together into a Civil Body Politick. And, by virtue thereof we do enact, constitute and frame such just and equal laws as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general Good of the Colony." Because Plymouth Colony never received a formal charter, the Mayflower Compact remained its only constitution until it became part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1691. More importantly, it is with the Mayflower Compact that democracy begins in America, with the coming together of the Mayflower's men to establish a government. Image Size: 19.75 x 21 in. Overall Size: 26.25 x 27.25 in. Unframed. (B05710)
Lot 443
Don Balke (North Carolina, B. 1933) "Raccoon" Signed lower right. Original Watercolor painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood commemorative cover for Balke's Baby Wildlife of the 50 States, postmarked June 1, 1984. Full of mischief, baby Raccoons are some of Nature's most lovable creatures. Born in the early spring, the adorable Raccoon kits are dressed in dark face masks, ringed tails and shiny black-button noses. The youngsters are usually born in a crevice or hollow tree in the woodlands. When the kits are old enough, they slide, tumble and fall out of the nest to follow their mother on their first adventuresome outing. Often, the mother Raccoon and her babies will venture into the cities where their playful curiosity leads them to many contacts with man. Taught by their mother, the young masked bandits soon learn to use their nimble front paws like tiny hands to open doors, turn on facets, raid trash cans and get into worlds of trouble. In the wild, the Raccoons use their sensitive hands to explore, poke and fish for food. Turning over stones and digging into tree stumps these animals search for insects, crayfish and frogs. In fact, the name "raccoon" comes from the Algonquian word "aroughcoune" which means "he who scratches with his hands." Because the Raccoon will eat almost anything, this humorous animal enjoys foods humans enjoy and feels right at home among people. However, if cornered, this animal will revert to its natural instincts. If her babies are threatened in any way, the mother Raccoon will boost her young up the nearest tree and attack ferociously. After the danger has passed, the Raccoon family will be on its way through the pastures, meadows and wooded areas of its Tennessee home. Image Size: 11.25 x 13 in. Overall Size: 18 x 20 in. Unframed. (B08799)
Lot 446
Don Balke (North Carolina, B. 1933) "Cardinal" Signed lower right. Original Watercolor painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 30c Cardinal stamp issued June 22, 1991. A flash of red streaking through densely wooded park land accompanied by a sweet, clear trill indicates the presence of one of North America's most popular songbirds -- the cardinal. Often referred to as a cardinal grosbeak or redbird, the cardinal is common to North and South America but maintains a decided preference for the temperate regions of the Midwestern and eastern United States. While both the male and female possess a distinctive crest, the male outshines its mate in brilliant plumage. He jauntily sports the deep crimson feathers and black-ringed beak associated with the species, while her dun-colored mantle provides camouflage for brooding. Cardinals begin to mate in April and frequently breed until mid-September. The female often takes three to five days to build her cup-shaped nest in bushes or hedges close to houses, and lays from two to five eggs. Two weeks later the downy young hatch, and within nine days they are on their own. Within a year the juveniles are able to sing, warbling the flute-like, descending song which characterizes the species. Image Size: 16 x 16 in. Overall Size: 21 x 19 in. Unframed. (B13150)
Lot 447
Don Balke (North Carolina, B. 1933) "Ruby-throated Hummingbird Taking Nectar" Signed lower right. Original Watercolor painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day of Issue Maximum Card for the U.S. 29c Ruby-throated Hummingbird stamp issued June 15, 1992. Its gorgeous throat in beauty and brilliance baffles all competition. Now it goes to a fiery hue, and again is changed to the deepest velvety black." Thus wrote the great naturalist, John James Audubon, of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Audubon -- like many before and since -- was entranced by the little flying jewel. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the best known of North America's Hummingbirds, for it is found regularly in eastern North America. Ranging from Panama to Nova Scotia, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird also has one of the most impressive migrations of the hummingbirds, although not quite as great as that of the Rufous Hummingbird. However, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird must cross the vast expanse of the Gulf of Mexico in one shot, an astounding accomplishment for such a small bird. Yet, with enough fat reserves, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird is able to make the journey without mishap. After crossing, it will stop off in the Gulf Coast states to build reserves once again. Image Size: 13.25 x 16.75 in. Overall Size: 14.25 x 17.5 in. Unframed. (B13684)
Lot 448
Steve Ferguson (American, B. 1946) "1912 Deperdussin Racer" Signed lower left. Original Watercolor painting on Cold Press Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover of the Deperdussin Racer from the 100 Year of Powered Flight Collection. Armand Deperdussin founded the Societe Pour les Appareils Deperdussin (SPAD) at the small town of Betheny, close to Reims, in 1910, and selected two brilliant engineers to oversee his aircraft design and production: Louis Bechereau and Andre Hebremont. By 1910, streamlining was already becoming a consideration, and Bechereau sought to create smooth skinned monocoque fuselages that were circular in section, light in weight and very strong. Engineering did not yet extend to cantilever wings or a retractable undercarriage, so the Deperdussin racer was amply braced with wires and struts. Installed with the amazing 160 horsepower Gnome rotary engine, it was a racing sensation, and became the fastest pre-World War I aircraft in the world. Image Size: 16.5 x 14 in. Overall Size: 20 x 15 in. Unframed. (B17123)
Lot 450
Steve Ferguson (American, B. 1946) "1917 S.E. 5a" Signed lower left. Original Watercolor painting on Cold Press Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover of the S.E. 5a from the 100 Year of Powered Flight Collection. H. P. Folland, who went on to design many later aircraft for Great Britain, including the famous Gloster Gladiator, designed the original Royal Aircraft Factory S.E. 5 in 1916. An improved model of this aircraft, known as the S.E. 5a, became the favorite fighter of Edward Mannock and Billy Bishop, the top-scoring aces of the Royal Air Force. The S.E. 5a had slightly shorter wings and its Hispano Suiza engine drove a four blade prop. The armament of this aircraft was unusual, consisting of one Vickers gun, offse to the left, and a Lewis gun mounted above the center section. Both guns were mounted at an upward angle of five degrees. Changing the ammunition drum on the Lewis gun was not easy, particularly at high altitudes. Image Size: 16.25 x 14 in. Overall Size: 20 x 15 in. Unframed. (B17124)
Lot 452
Tom Lydon (American, B. 1944) "America w/Eagle at Her Side & Sun at Her" Signed lower left. Original Mixed Media painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day of Issue Maximum Card for the U.S. 25c+4c Official Mail/Flag stamp issued April 6, 1991. Throughout his noteworthy career sculptor Thomas Crawford created many brilliant works of art. Thankfully, many of these important pieces can be enjoyed by enthusiasts today, nearly a century and a half after his death. Visitors in Washington, D.C. revel in his artwork at the U.S. Capitol Building. Crawford created several works for the seat of the nation's government including the Doors to the House and Senate, the massive Statue of Freedom, Statues of Justice and History, and a sculpture titled "Progress of Civilization." The artwork on this artwork is based upon the latter creation. The central theme is America with her Eagle at her side and the sun at her back. The figures of the sculpture were modeled in Crawford's adopted city of Rome in 1854 and carved from marble quarried in Massachusetts. In 1863 the great sculpture was erected on the east front of the Senate Pediment of the Capitol, ironically at a time when America was in the depths of the Civil War and it seemed as if civilization had made little progress. Yet the work has dazzled many through the decades and is no less impressive today. Crawford made other contributions to the world; his son was novelist Francis Marion Crawford, author of the classic Mr. Isaacs (1882). Image Size: 11.5 x 16 in. Overall Size: 14.5 x 20 in. Unframed. (B12977)
Lot 453
Tom McNeely (Canadian, B. 1935) "Vince Lombardi" Signed lower right. Original Watercolor painting on Paper. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which appeared on the Fleetwood First Day Cover of the 32c Vince Lombardi stamp issued July 25, 1997. Born in Brooklyn in 1913, Vince Lombardi planned to be a Catholic priest. He showed a talent for football in high school and at Fordham University, from 1934 through 1936, Lombardi played guard on the most fearsome line in college football -- the "Seven Blocks of Granite." Lombardi was also an excellent student, graduating from Fordham with a B.S., then studying law. But he continued to play football on weekends and, in 1939, took his first coaching job at St. Cecelia High School in Englewood, New Jersey, where his teams won six state championships. By 1947, Lombardi was freshman coach at Fordham. His big chance came in 1949 when he was hired as assistant coach under Colonel Earl "Red" Blaik at Army. Five years later, Lombardi was named offense coach for the New York Giants. In 1959, when Lombardi became head coach and general manager of the Green Bay Packers, the Packers were a bottom-of-the-ladder team located in a small town in Wisconsin known as the "Siberia of the National Football League." But it didn't take long for Lombardi to change that image. The Packers won Western Conference titles in 1960, 1961 and 1962, captured the NFL championship in 1961 and 1962, and were victorious in the first two Super Bowls -- in 1967 and 1968. In 1969, he became head coach, general manager and part owner of the Washington Redskins, coaching them to their first winning season in 14 years. Lombardi died unexpectedly in 1970 and the following year he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Image Size: 22 x 16.25 in. Overall Size: 26.5 x 22.25 in. Unframed. (B15757)
Lot 454
Tom McNeely (Canadian, B. 1935) "Zora Neale Hurston" Signed lower right. Original Watercolor painting on Paper. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 37c Literary Arts stamp issued January 24, 2003. Although Zora Neale Hurston claimed in her autobiography to have been born on January 7, 1901, in Eatonville, Florida, many biographers insist she was actually born in 1891 in Notasulga, Alabama. After growing up in Eatonville (the nation's first incorporated all-black city), Hurston joined a traveling theatrical company around 1919 and eventually found herself in New York City during the Harlem Renaissance. She attended Howard University (where she published her first story in the school literary magazine) from 1921 to 1924, then studied at Barnard College under the acclaimed anthropologist Franz Boas. Graduating in 1928, she conducted field studies in folklore among African Americans in the rural South. In 1930, she collaborated with Langston Hughes on a play titled Mule Bone: A Comedy of Negro Life in Three Acts (which went unpublished until 1991). Her first novel, Jonah's Gourd Vine (1934), was lauded for its realistic and unsentimental portrayal of African American life. Her subsequent works -- including her 1937 novel Their Eyes Were Watching God -- had a powerful influence on modern black writers such as Alice Walker, Toni Morrison and Ralph Ellison. Hurston published her highly regarded autobiography, Dust Tracks on a Road, in 1942. Image Size: 18 x 15.5 in. Overall Size: 24.5 x 21.5 in. Unframed. (B17057)
Lot 455
Tom McNeely (Canadian, B. 1935) "Columbus Crossing the Atlantic" Signed lower right. Original Mixed Media painting on Paper. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood Maximum Card for the U.S. 29c Columbus Voyage; Crossing Atlantic issued April 24, 1992. For his first voyage, Columbus received three ships from King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. The Pinta and the Ni?ia, two caravels designed to sail fleetly into the wind, accompanied Columbus' flagship, the Mariagalante -- officially renamed the Santa Maria. Manned by a combined crew of 90 men, the ships set sail from the Spanish port of Palos on August 3, 1492. A good compass and crude quadrant were the admiral's only tools, for he measured latitude by the North Star and navigated by dead reckoning. Nine days later the ships reached the Canary Islands and docked to take on supplies and make repairs. On September 6, they put out to sea on a course set for due west. The sailors watched until Hierro, westernmost island of the Canaries and the last image of familiar ground, disappeared below the eastern horizon. For three weeks the ships sailed on, aided by fair trade winds and relatively smooth waters. The Journal of the First Voyage noted on September 16 that "The Admiral (Columbus) says here that today and ever thereafter they had very mild breezes, that the savor of the mornings was a great delight, that the only thing wanting was to hear nightingales. Says he, 'The weather was like April in Andalucia."' Image Size: 17 x 20.25 in. Overall Size: 17.25 x 21.75 in. Unframed. (B13784)
Lot 456
Tom McNeely (Canadian, B. 1935) "Bringing Home a Christmas Tree in Sleigh" Signed lower left. Original Watercolor painting on Paper laid on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First of Issue Maximum Card for the U.S. 22c Madonna and Child Christmas stamp issued October 24, 1986. If the celebration of the birth of Christ were compacted into one year, the tradition of the Christmas Tree would be but days old. Though the exact date of origin is disputed, it is widely recognized that the Christmas Tree is a German invention dating roughly from the 16th or 17th centuries. Early legend has it that the first Christmas tree was cut down by Martin Luther and decorated with candles to represent the star-filled Holy Night in Bethlehem. This beautiful and moving symbol caught on and soon became a tradition, with German immigrants bringing their ways -- including the Christmas Tree as a holiday tradition -- to the New World. In 1856, the first White House Christmas Tree was decorated by U.S. President Franklin Pierce. Once the Christmas Tree found its way into the nation's most prominent home, the moving image rapidly spread, becoming a Christmas tradition in nearly every home across the nation, dazzling all who gazed upon its beauty. France and Great Britain adopted the tradition in the 1840s; Queen Victoria kept a tree at Windsor Castle during the holidays. Today, it is the centerpiece of Christmas celebrations across the nation, and can take on many sizes and shapes: from giant saguaro cactus in sunny, dry Arizona to rich, green fir trees in the snow-frosted New England states. Image Size: 15.5 x 20 in. Overall Size: 17.5 x 22 in. Unframed. (B10206)
Lot 463
Charles J Lundgren (New York, Connecticut, 1911 - 1988) "U.S.S. Wisconsin" Signed lower right. Original Oil painting on Masonite. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting originally appeared on the Fleetwood Commemorative Cover for the U.S.S. Wisconsin. The U.S.S. Wisconsin was one of the most powerful fighting ships ever built. Commissioned on 16 April 1944 with Captain Earl E. Stone in command, U.S.S. Wisconsin saw her first active duty in the Pacific with Admiral William "Bull" Halsey's 3rd Fleet. She participated in the reconquest of the Philippines as part of Task Force 38. Her heavy guns helped neutralize the Japanese forces on Formosa, Luzon, and Nansei Shoto. As the Lingayen Gulf operations unfolded, U.S.S. Wisconsin provided invaluable shelling support and cover. Re-assigned to the 5th Fleet, U.S.S. Wisconsin became an integral part of Task Force 58 which headed for Tokyo. On 16 February 1945, the task force approached the Japanese coast under the cover of adverse weather. They achieved complete surprise, and shot down 322 enemy planes and destroyed 177 more on the ground. At War's end, she served as part of the "Magic Carpet" operation which brought American servicemen back to the states. During the Korean Conflict, U.S.S. Wisconsin sailed as flagship of the 7th Fleet. On 15 March 1952 she arrived off Songjin, Korea and concentrated her powerful 16-inch guns on an enemy troop train, destroying it. During the shelling she received her first-ever direct hit -- as if personally affronted her guns susbsequently blasted the enemy battery into oblivion. She received five Battle Stars for her service in World War II and one for her service in Korea. Image Size: 13.75 x 15.75 in. Overall Size: 20.5 x 21.75 in. Unframed. (B10856)
Lot 491
Dennis Lyall (American, B. 1946) "USA Olympic Hockey Wins over USSR Team" Signed lower center. Original Oil on Canvas board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood Commerative Cover for Old Glory's Proudest Moments postmarked on the anniversary February 22, 2002. In hockey the puck -- hard rubber disk whose function is comparable to a ball in other sports -- draws the attention of twelve, well-padded players on skates. Using angled wooden sticks (in French a "hoquet" is a shepherd's crook) to catch and pass the puck, players sprint up, down and across a 200-foot long rectangular arena called a rink. With or without the puck, they feint, attack, brake in a spray of ice, and drive opponents into barriers enclosing the rink. Always, the primary object is to score a goal by directing the puck into the opponent's basket-like net at one end of the rink, while the purpose of a team's goalie is to prevent that occurrence by catching or deflecting the puck away. The roots of hockey are buried deep in antiquity, but the modern game of ice hockey began in Canada in the 1850s. By the 1890s the game had spread to the U.S. and since 1917 the National Hockey League has been the world's premier professional association with 28 teams vying for a championship trophy -- the Stanley Cup. The premier hockey event in international competition takes place during the Winter Olympic Games which began in 1924 in Chamonix, France. The Olympics featured amateur competition until 1998 when professionals, as well as women, played for the first time in Nagano, Japan. With the increase in the pace of life the up-tempo game of hockey has grown in popularity, and today the vast majority of hockey games are played by kids on frozen ponds or on urban, concrete courts and asphalt streets. Image Size: 15 x 13 in. Overall Size: 18.5 x 16 in. Unframed. (B16964)
Lot 493
Michael Garland (American, B. 1952) "Santa Working on Toy" Signed lower right. Original Acrylic painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 32c Santa Claus Working on Sled stamp issued September 30, 1995. Most of our modern American Christmas practices stem from those brought here by immigrants from various countries in the 19th century. An important part of an English Victorian Christmas included a large feast on Christmas day. Beginning in the afternoon, the extended family would sit down for a lunch that typically consisted of soups, stuffed turkey, plum pudding and mincemeat pie. Afterward the family retired to the sitting room for games and conversation. Later, an elaborate tea was served. The principle meal of the day began in the late evening. At this meal the hostesses served trout, a suckling pig roasted whole on the spit, candy and cake, and several varieties of wine. During the 1800s, the use of lights became an important aspect of Christmas. Part of the allure of lights arose from the traditional biblical account of the Christmas story, which told of the wise men being led to Jesus by a bright shining star. Celebrations with lights varied from country to country. In Spain, children carried lamps on poles and lined city streets to guide the three kings. In Germany, houses were dark while children were led into a room where candles lit up the Christmas tree. In Sweden, young women would risk burning their hair while wearing bonnets of candles on their head. Wearing white dresses, they would bring music and coffee to their parents in the wee hours on St. Lucia's day. The image of Santa Claus on this First Day Cover portrays a more universal Christmas tradition in many areas of the world. Image Size: 14.25 x 12.25 in. Overall Size: 20 x 14.75 in. Unframed. (B15010)
Lot 495
Dean Ellis (New York, 1920 - 2009) "Life of John F. Kennedy - Cuban Missile Crisis" Signed lower right. Original Oil painting on Masonite. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the First Day Cover for the Republic of the Marshall Islands 55c Cuban Missile Crisis stamp issued May 29, 1995. On October 14, 1962, an overflight of Cuba by a U.S. U-2 spy plane revealed the presence of a Soviet-made ballistic missile and a number of launch sites under construction. For President John F. Kennedy it was the beginning of a two-week-long test of will. Putting himself against cunning Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, the young president announced on October 22 a "quarantine'' of shipping to Cuba. In the days that followed, tension rose and Americans waited for word that the many fallout shelters constructed during the 1950s would have to be put to use. But finally, on October 28, their worst fears were allayed. Khrushchev announced that "The Soviet government ... has given a new order to dismantle the arms which you described as offensive, and to crate and return them to Soviet Russia." Image Size: 11.5 x 14.5 in. Overall Size: 14 x 15.5 in. Unframed. (B14943)
Lot 496
Donald Moss (1920 - 2010) "Roberto Clemente". Signed lower right. Original Oil painting on Illustration Board painting. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 20c Roberto Clemente stamp issued August 17, 1984. One of the greatest athletes to ever play baseball was the legendary Roberto Clemente. A Puerto Rican athlete, Clemente began his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1955 as a right fielder. His exceptional batting and fielding abilities ... as well as his passion for the sport ... brought him national fame as "the complete baseball player." In his eighteen seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Clemente had a career total of three thousand hits and a lifetime batting average of .317 -- the best among all the players of his time. Indeed, in the minds of his teammates and millions of Americans, Roberto Clemente was truly one of America's greatest baseball legends. This great American athlete is also known as a compassionate humanitarian who was dedicated to helping the suffering people of the world. When not playing baseball, Clemente spent much of his time in service to the poor and underprivileged people of his native Puerto Rico and elsewhere. However, tragedy struck on New Year's Eve, 1972, when a cargo plane loaded with supplies Clemente had helped gather to help the victims of a Nicaraguan earthquake, crashed at sea with Clemente aboard. All of America mourned the loss of this great baseball player and humanitarian. Image Size: 14 x 12 in. Overall Size: 19.5 x 17 in. Unframed. (B08934)
Lot 497
Mel Crawford (Canadian, B. 1925) "Bringing Tree Home on a Sleigh" Signed lower right. Original Mixed Media painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 20c Santa Claus stamp issued October 28, 1983. The heartwarming tradition of decorating a tree to celebrate a joyous occasion originated in ancient Rome. However, the use of colorful Christmas tree ornaments began in sixteenth century Germany. There, trees were adorned with gilded nuts, fresh apples, delicate sugar figures, and carefully made dolls and shepherds. It was Queen Victoria's German husband, Prince Albert, that first introduced this heartwarming custom to England, and in 1841, the royal family celebrated the holidays around a gigantic Christmas tree beautifully decorated with wax tapers and sweetmeats. It wasn't until 1860 that fragile glass trinkets began to replace the tasty edible ornaments. Again, it was the sentimental Germans that took the lead. Humble peasants in central Germany worked at the primitive industry in their own small cottages. The father carefully blew the intricate figures from molten glass, while the rest of the family took pleasure in colorfully painting them with fancy designs. Today's tree may be less mouth-watering than those once trimmed with sweets, but permanent ornaments do have one great advantage: around a familiar star or angel, a family can build up its own traditions year after year. Perhaps the greatest thrill of Christmas comes during the proud moments of bringing home a fragrant, freshly-cut family Christmas tree. Image Size: 14 x 12 in. Overall Size: 17 x 14.25 in. Unframed. (B08333)
Lot 498
Michael Garland (American, B. 1952) "Christmas/Family in Front of Fireplace" Signed lower right. Original Oil painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 32c Christmas Fireplace stamp issued October 8, 1996. Anglo-Saxons used the word "yule" to refer to the time of the winter solstice. December was known as "the former yule," while January was "the after yule." In Nordic regions fire was vital for winter survival, not only to provide warmth, but for cooking and lighting the home during the long dark days of winter. In Scandinavian countries, pagan yule festivals were held near the end of each year during the winter solstice. Vikings honored Thor, the god of war, by burning a yule log during the season. After Christianity spread to Europe, these festivals changed from pagan superstitions to celebrations commemorating Christmas. In fact, the word "yule" has come to symbolize the Christmas season. The flame of the yule log represents the light that came from heaven at Christ's birth. Families enjoyed festive ceremonies as the yule log was brought into the house and placed in the fireplace. If possible, the yule log was lit with a fragment of the previous year's log, symbolizing the flame of God's eternal light. Yule log customs continued long after the Middle Ages and have continued to the present day in many parts of Europe, especially England. The custom spread to the United States where, during colonial times, Christmas festivities lasted only as long as the yule log was kept glowing. Thus, colonists favored large logs to make the celebration last as long as possible. The yule log continues to warm the hearts and homes of those who celebrate this joyous holiday season. Image Size: 14 x 12 in. Overall Size: 16.75 x 15 in. Unframed. (B15545)
Lot 499
Michael Garland (American, B. 1952) "Christmas/Girl Dreaming of Santa Claus" Signed lower right. Original Oil painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 32c Dreaming of Santa stamp issued October 8, 1996. Christmas is the time of year when children are caught up in the magic of Santa Claus. They believe the miraculous story of a generous and jolly fat man in a red suit, who sports a white beard with a twinkle in his eye. If children listen closely, they can hear the faint jingle of Santa's sleigh bells as reindeer pull his sleigh across the skies, bringing wonderful gifts for good little boys and girls all over the world. The traditional myth of Santa Claus originated in the fourth century from Saint Nicholas, who served as bishop in the city of Myra in Asia Minor. Known for his generosity and love of children, he gradually assumed the legendary status of the giver of gifts during the Christmas season. After the Protestant Reformation, the traditional character of Saint Nicholas as the bearer of gifts was replaced by the Christ Child, called Christkindl in parts of Germany and Switzerland. Kris Kringle was derived from this name and was portrayed as an angel-like figure who brings gifts on Christmas. In England, Saint Nicholas appeared as a gentleman wearing a long coat and a beaver hat, and became known as Father Christmas. The American version of Santa Claus was developed when 19th century writers and illustrators portrayed Saint Nicholas as a chubby, jolly man with a sleigh of reindeer. These characters continue to bring joy to the hearts of children all over the world as they symbolize generosity and good will during the Christmas season. Image Size: 14 x 12 in. Overall Size: 16.75 x 15 in. Unframed. (B15543)
Lot 500
Chuck Ripper (American, B. 1929) "Amazonian Manatee" Signed lower left. Original Gouache painting on Masonite. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.N. 80fs Amazonian Manatee stamp issued March 3, 1993. It seems incredible that sailors once mistook manatees for mermaids. These sea mammals bear little resemblance to beautiful women. Not only are manatees ugly, in an endearing sort of way, but they grow much larger than people. Some attain lengths of 13 feet and weigh nearly 2,000 pounds. There are three species of manatee. Caribbean Manatees are found in Florida, the waters of the Caribbean, southern Mexico and northern Brazil. West African Manatees frequent the rivers of tropical West Africa. And Amazonian Manatees inhabit rivers of the Amazon and Orinoco drainages. All three species face extinction. Unfortunately, these lovable and docile "sea cows" provide easy prey for hunters in search of meat, hides and oil. Power boats take their toll as well. Dozens of manatees are injured and killed each year by propellers. Scientists believe manatees descended from the same ancestor as the elephants. Like elephants, manatees exist exclusively on vegetation -- the only aquatic mammals to do so. They spend much of their day browsing in shallow water on sea grasses, algae and water weeds. Every 24 hours an individual manatee consumes one pound of food for every 10 pounds of its body weight. A man weighing 160 pounds would have to eat 16 pounds of salad to match a manatee's appetite. Image Size: 14.5 x 12.5 in. Overall Size: 17.75 x 15 in. Unframed. (B14178)
Lot 504
Barry Wilkinson (British, B. 1923) "The Notre Dame Cathedral" Original Watercolor painting on Illustration Board. Signed lower right. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the Europa CEPT stamp of Luxembourg issued May 3, 1983. Luxembourg ranks as one of the world's smallest and oldest independent countries. It covers an area smaller than the state of Rhode Island ... and has about a third as many people as that state. Yet, despite its small size, Luxembourg is home to some of the world's greatest works of human genius. The tiny Duchy of Luxembourg has over 130 castles within its borders and some of the most beautiful cathedrals to be found in the world. One of the most memorable of these cathedrals is the Cathedral of Notre Dame which is displayed in this artwork. The cathedral was built between 1613 and 1618 with a Gothic interior and a Renaissance west door. The three naves at identical levels give this church the character of a "hall church," much like the Bristol Cathedral in England. The church at Notre Dame was promoted to the status of cathedral in 1870. Once each year, near Easter, large numbers of people flock to this beautiful cathedral to venerate the miraculous image of the Consolation of the Afflicted, patron saint of the city. This great center of religious festivities and art is indeed one of Luxembourg's foremost achievements of human genius. Image Size: 10.75 x 9 in. Overall Size: 13 x 11.5 in. Unframed. (B08187)
Lot 505
Basil Smith (British, B. 1925). "The Cow Jumped over the Moon" Original Mixed Media painting on Hot Press Illustration Board. Signed lower left. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the Westminster Collector's Society 20p The Man on the Moon stamp issued February 6, 1990. The Moon, Earth's satellite and closest astral neighbor, has been a source of inspiration to poets and dreamers throughout the centuries. Its craters and mountains were first studied by astronomer Galileo, but weren't actually mapped until 1837 by Johann von M?dler. Because of their eerie resemblance to the human face, lunar spots have afforded an especially rich subject for the play of human fancy. Perhaps the oldest myth relating to the man in the moon originates in the Old Testament. In the Book of Numbers, a man is caught gathering sticks on the Sabbath, and as an example to mankind, he is condemned to stand forever on the moon with a bundle on his back. Chaucer and Shakespeare also allude to the man in the moon as an individual who was banished to the lunar surface as punishment. Even so, people throughout the centuries have seen the man in the moon as a more benevolent presence in the night sky, evoking the mysteries of the universe and of love. Many nursery rhymes have also been inspired by the moon. One credits the man in the moon with visiting earth: "The Man in the Moon came down too soon and asked his way to Norwich..." and another popular nursery rhyme conjures up a cow jumping over the moon. Image Size: 6 x 7 in. Overall Size: 9 x 10 in. Unframed. (B12343)
Lot 507
Chuck Ripper (American, B. 1929) "Hadada Ibis" Signed lower right. Original Gouache/Watercolor painting on Watercolor Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the United Nations VN Eur0,51 Hadada Ibis stamp issued April 3, 2003. Growing up to 30 inches in length, the hadada ibis (Bostrychia hagedash or Hagedashia hagedash) sports an almost entirely olive-gray plumage which pales around the underparts. Its shoulders and wings are highlighted by a greenish metallic sheen while its head and neck are light gray. Its black bill is accented by a crimson coloring on the basal half of the upper mandible. Like other ibises, the hadada ibis has a lack of facial feathers and flies with its neck extended rather than tucked. This attractive bird lives in the wooded streams of savannas and the open forests of Africa, ranging from Senegal and The Gambia in the west and Ethiopia and southern Somalia in the east, to South Africa in the south. While most ibises are highly social creatures, congregating in nesting sites which often include thousands of birds, the hadada ibis is a distinct exception -- it nests in isolation, sometimes even residing on telephone poles rather than the trees or bushes favored by most other ibises. During mating, the male usually gathers the nesting materials, which it ritualistically offers to its mate. Both sexes incubate their three to six eggs and cooperatively nourish their young, which feed on regurgitated food by inserting their bills down their parents' gullets. The hadada ibis is a noisy bird with a familiar yelping cry. In fact, its call is one of Africa's best known bird sounds, consisting of a loud, resonating "har-har-har" or "ha-da-da," for which the bird is named. Image Size: 14.5 x 12.5 in. Overall Size: 17.75 x 15 in. Unframed. (B17067)
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