Dennis Lyall (American, B. 1946) "Sons of Liberty Flag" Signed lower right. Original Oil on Canvas. 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. 33c Sons of Liberty Flag Classic Collection Series stamp issued June 14, 2000. The Sons of Liberty flag displays 13 horizontal red and white stripes representing the unity of the 13 colonies. Some versions feature nine vertical red and white stripes, representing New England, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. Other Sons of Liberty flags have the same nine-stripe design, but include a rattlesnake and a motto. The colonies were often represented by a rattlesnake in political cartoons, and variations of this motif were used in flag designs of the period. When the British Parliament passed the Stamp Act in 1765, colonists were outraged by yet another affront to their freedoms. That summer, the Sons of Liberty was established with the purpose of opposing the Stamp Act. The group soon became a formidable political force in uniting the colonies against British control. Led by noted patriots like Samuel Adams and Paul Revere, the Sons of Liberty led organized resistance against British economic and political actions. They formed Committees of Correspondence to rally support for colonial resistance through the use of petitions, assemblies and propaganda. The Sons of Liberty were an important influence in uniting colonists and preparing America for revolution. Image Size: 13 x 18 in. Overall Size: 15 x 19.5 in. Unframed. (B16779) See More