Dennis Lyall (B. 1946) "US Flag with Fireworks" Signed lower left. Oil on Canvas. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting originally appeared on the Fleetwood First Day of issue Maximum Card for the U.S. 22c Flag with Fireworks stamp issued May 9, 1987. The development of commerce and industry drew the American colonies together. To show their solidarity the Continental Colors were created during the Revolutionary War. This ensign served as a unifying symbol of the new United States. Following the War, the victorious fledgling nation sought to design a recognizable, distinctive ensign for use at sea, and as an appropriate symbol of the new country. Although a number of variant forms existed early on, the fundamental design of the flag had always included alternating red and white stripes. Since the Revolution, a field of blue had been added. Among the variants, most had some arrangement of stars across the blue field. Later, when the Constitution was signed and ratified, a standard version of the American Flag came into existence. The new official flag had thirteen stars -- one for each state -- arranged in a linear pattern on the blue field in the upper left corner of the flag. Thirteen alternating horizontal red and white stripes filled out the rest of the flag. This is the flag the United States has proudly called "Old Glory" and the flag which America has proudly flown the world over for nearly two centuries. Today, "Old Glory" continues to fly above public and private buildings. Image Size: 16 x 24 in. Overall Size: 19.75 x 26.5 in. Unframed. (B10786)