Howard Koslow (American, 1924 - 2016) "North Carolina's Cape Lookout Lighthouse" Signed lower right. Acrylic 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 U.S. 37c Cape Lookout Lighthouse stamp issued June 13, 2003. War and the forces of mother nature have often worked against the Cape Lookout Lighthouse, however it has endured, and is still used today. In 1804 Congress authorized the lighthouse, but it wasn't actually built until 1812, even though it was desperately needed to aid ships navigating the treacherous Lookout Shoals. Often sailors complained that the original tower was too short and not bright enough, making it difficult and dangerous to find. Passage into Lookout Bight Harbor wasn't enhanced until 1859, when a new lighthouse was approved, completed and lit. Erosion washed away 1,000 feet of land between the lighthouse and Core Sound from 1940 to 1970, and today the wind and sea continue to bring the water closer to the tower. The existing Cape Lookout Lighthouse became automated and unmanned in 1950. And with today's advanced navigation systems, ships no longer rely on the security of a single light, blinking at intervals. Image Size: 14 x 12 in. Overall Size: 20 x 18 in. Unframed. (B17062)