Dennis Lyall (American, B. 1946) "The Stars and Stripes - 38 Star Flag" Signed lower right. 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 38-Star Flag Classic Collection Series stamp issued June 14, 2000. When gold was discovered near Denver in 1858, mining towns flourished as thousands of immigrants settled in the region. By 1861, Congress had established the Colorado Territory with its boundaries essentially those of the presentday state. Colorado's early territorial days were marked by intense Indian wars, particularly with the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes. Eventually, the Cheyenne and Arapaho ceded all lands east of the mountains and agreed to leave the area. The western slope, however, remained under control of the Ute. When silver was discovered in the San Juan Mountains, miners and settlers rushed to the area and the Ute fought desperately for their lands. An 1868 treaty recognized the rights of the Ute, but by 1873 the tribe had abandoned the metal-rich region. The territory's population continued to increase with the construction of railroads. Colorado became America's 38th state on August 1, 1876, and in 1877 Congress approved a 38-star flag. Prior to 1912, when rows of stars became standard, the stars on the American flag could be arranged in a variety of patterns. The 38-star flag displays the stars in a double circle with a star in each comer and a larger star in the center, representing the new state of Colorado. Image Size: 14 x 11.5 in. Overall Size: 18 x 14 in. Unframed. (B16841)