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)