Dennis Lyall (American, B. 1946) "United States Flag in Clouds" Signed and dated ('88) lower right. Original Oil painting on Canvas 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. 25c Flag in Clouds stamp issued July 5, 1988. America's first national flag was raised on a hill near Boston on January 4, 1776, by the troops of General George Washington. It was named the Grand Union flag, and bore thirteen red and blue stripes. It also displayed the crosses of St. Andrew and St. George -- symbols of America's British heritage. It was only after the Declaration of Independence was signed that Americans chose a flag of their own. On June 14, 1777 -- Flag Day -- the Second Continental Congress approved the new design. With a star and a stripe for each state, the flag became the symbol of America, and of freedom. Originally, the flag was designed with the idea of adding a star and a stripe for each new state. When Francis Scott Key penned his famous "Star Spangled Banner" during the War of 1812, for example, he was writing of a flag which bore fifteen stars and fifteen stripes. But it soon became obvious this land of freedom would admit many more states and that the flag would simply become too large. In 1818, the American flag was officially returned to its original thirteen stripes, with but a single star to be added upon the field of blue for each new state. Stars are added on the fourth of July following a state's admission to the Union. Today, the flag flies proudly before the homes and buildings of America -- symbol of freedom and American tradition. Image Size: 16.5 x 22.5 in. Overall Size: 19.75 x 25.75 in. Unframed. (B11372) See More