Dennis Lyall (American, B. 1946) "The Stars and Stripes - 29 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 29-Star Flag Classic Collection Series stamp issued June 14, 2000. During the presidency of James K. Polk, the United States acquired the largest territorial gains in its history. Expansionists believed it was America's "Manifest Destiny" to expand her borders westward to the Pacific, thus creating a continental United States. John L. O'Sullivan coined the term in 1845, prophesying "the fulfillment of our manifest destiny to overspread the continent allotted by Providence. . ." In 1845 and 1846, debate in Congress was centered on important territorial issues, including the annexation of Texas and the northwestern boundary in the Oregon Territory. Texas' annexation as a state in 1845 resulted in a war with Mexico, which ended on February 2, 1848, with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Mexico ceded to the United States all the territory that would later become New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, California, Texas and western Colorado. Further territorial gains resulted in a treaty between the United States and Britain that fixed America's northwestern boundary at the 49th parallel. After Iowa became the 29th state on December 28, 1846, a 29-star flag was created in 1847. The diamond pattern on the blue canton became standard on garrison flags and could be easily updated after new states were admitted. Image Size: 14 x 11.5 in. Overall Size: 18 x 14 in. Unframed. (B16840)