Charles J Lundgren (New York, Connecticut, 1911 - 1988) "U.S.S. North Carolina" Signed lower right. Original oil on Masonite painting. 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. North Carolina. The first of the U.S. Navy's modern battleships, construction of the U.S.S. North Carolina began after the expiration of the Washington Treaty which placed a limit on the size of battleships. The treaty was negotiated after World War I to reduce the threat of a nation building a navy of "super dreadnoughts". She was commissioned on 9 April 1941 with Captain Olaf M. Hustvedt in command. After her commissioning, she received so much attention during her trials, she was nicknamed "Showboat." Sailing in the Caribbean, she completed her initial cruise just prior to the Pearl Harbor attack and entered the Pacific 10 June 1942. U.S.S. North Carolina spearheaded the navy's "island hopping" campaign as she participated in the landing of marines on Guadalcannal and Tulagi on 7 August 1942. Again and again in the months that followed she proved her superior fighting abilities. She used her mighty 16-inch guns to bombard enemy shore positions; her crew became a crack anti-aircraft unit -- downing between seven and fourteen enemy planes in an eight minute engagement at the Battle of the Eastern Solomons -- and she provided valuable screening support for America's aircraft carriers. She was also responsible for sinking the Japanese battleship Yamato -- the largest battleship ever built. Image Size: 13.5 x 15.75 in. Overall Size: 20.5 x 21.75 in. Unframed. (B10408)