Brian Sanders (British, B. 1937) "Deep Sea Fishing -- Great Britain" Original Watercolor painting on Illustration 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 Great Britain Fishing Boats set of 4 stamps issue of September 23, 1981. From the primitive spears used by yesterday's fishermen, fishing has become a huge commercial industry equipped with some amazing scientific instruments. Today's commercial fisherman uses fishing aids not even dreamed of a hundred years ago. His boat may be fitted with echo sounders that permit him to locate and track fish from thousands of feet away, or his craft may bear electrical devices that actually force fish to swim into his nets. The painting tells the story of modern day fishing in Great Britain. In the center of the painting is pictured a Cornish crab and lobster potter, typical of the area. At the lower left a fisherman is shown hauling in a traditional herring drift net. With the advent of modern herring fishing methods, man has seriously depleted the stock along the coast of Britain. Today, protective measures guard the herring and they are gradually making a recovery. Featured in the upper left of the painting is the crew of a trawler, sorting and gutting their cod catch. At the right of the painting is pictured a typical trawler, multi-rigged for side and stern trawling. While the men haul in one net, another can be shot and set. Thus, the men make the most of their time at sea. In many ways, fishing has changed in all industrial countries in recent decades, but despite modern inventions, the excitement of the seafaring life endures for the men who make their living in the world's great oceans. Image Size: 12 x 14.25 in. Overall Size: 16 x 22.25 in. Unframed. (B06852)