Dennis Lyall (American, B. 1946) "Admiralty Head Lighthouse" Signed lower right. Oil on Canvas. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting appeared on the Fleetwood First Day of Issue Maximum Card for the U.S. 25c Admiralty Head stamp issued April 26, 1990. From man's earliest seafaring days, beacons have guided ancient navigators through troubled waters. As early as 280 B.C., man-made lighthouses like the Egyptians' Pharos marked harbors and headwaters. Considered one of the seven wonders of the world, the Pharos reputedly rose four hundred and fifty feet into the air and had a wood fire burning at its top. From these beginnings, the lighthouse developed into a priceless navigational tool such as the beacon at Admiralty Head, Washington, positioned at the east entrance to Admiralty Inlet and the Puget Sound. The life of this lighthouse was relatively brief. The lighthouse was built in 1903 and was touted as the most comfortable dwelling on the coast, but the maritime traffic pattern had changed by the mid 1920's and the lantern was removed from this tower in 1927. Though no light has gleamed from Admiralty Head in more than six decades, the structure has become one of the most popular tourist attractions of the area. The lighthouse was restored and opened to the public by the Washington State Parks and Island County Historical Society and though there is still no lantern on the tower, a lantern used at the nearby Alki Lighthouse is on display in Admiralty Head's rotunda. Similar efforts by The Lighthouse Preservation Society and its friends will hopefully keep America's early lighthouses from disappearing quietly into the annals of history. Image Size: 12.5 x 17.5 in. Overall Size: 14 x 19.5 in. Unframed. (B12336)