John Swatsley (American, B. 1937) "Bald Eagle" Signed lower right. Oil 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. 20c Official Mail stamp issued January 12, 1983. On the same day that America's Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, it also appointed a committee to create a Great Seal for the United States. Some weeks later, the committee presented their recommendation, a seal showing on one side an ornate coat of arms and on the other the Israelites fleeing Egypt's Pharaoh. Their proposal was shelved while Congress pursued the more pressing concerns of the Revolutionary War. Thereafter, the appointment of another committee resulted in the inclusion of a small eagle in the Seal's design. But, it was later, when the Secretary of the Congress, Charles Thomson, summarized all research that the eagle became the central figure of the Seal. Thomson specified that this proud eagle emblem must be "an American eagle" clutching the olive branch in one foot and a bundle of arrows in the other, as symbols of war and peace. Image Size: 18 x 15.5 in. Overall Size: 23.75 x 20 in. Unframed. (B07915)