Dennis Lyall (American, B. 1946) "Sailing Ship of Discovery" Signed lower right. Original Oil on Canvas board. 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. 29c Juan Rodr?guez Cabrillo stamp issued September 28, 1992. Little is known of Juan Cabrillo's early life. It is believed he was born in Portugal, and as a young man may have participated in Panfilo de Narvaez's failed disciplinary expedition against Hernan Cortes, conqueror of the Aztecs of Mexico. He apparently abandoned Narvaez at Vera Cruz and joined forces with Cortes. Some sources speculate that Cabrillo later joined Pedro de Alvarado and helped to conquer the region now occupied by Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua. Hoping to find cities filled with gold and a water passage between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, Cabrillo set sail in 1542 from New Spain -- present day Mexico -- to explore the Pacific coast of North America. The first European to set eyes on the California coastline, Cabrillo sailed to San Diego and San Pedro harbors, Santa Catalina island, the islands of the Santa Barbara Channel and Monterey Bay. He sailed as far north as Point Reyes, but missed the San Francisco bay area. Cabrillo moved south to winter on San Miguel Island, and died in early 1543 from injuries suffered in a fall. However, Cabrillo's quest continued as his pilot, Bartolome Farmers, sailed north later that year and is believed to have reached the Oregon coast. Although he did not discover cities filled with riches or a passageway to the Atlantic coast, Cabrillo and his accomplishments are commemorated at the Cabrillo National Monument at San Diego Bay. Image Size: 15.25 x 20.5 in. Overall Size: 17.75 x 22.5 in. Unframed. (B13971) See More