Dean Ellis (New York, 1920 - 2009) "Marshall Islands Becomes U.N. Trust Territory" Original Tempera painting on Masonite. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Republic of the Marshall Islands 55c Marshall Islands Becomes U.N. Trust Territory, 1947 stamp issued May 2, 1996. World War II catastrophically upset the lives of the people of the Marshall Islands, and dramatically changed their perceptions of the world and their places in it. The aftermath of the conflict found the Marshalls suffering from various degrees of devastation and want. Food and medical supplies were either scarce or nonexistent; communications and services were disrupted; many islanders had been displaced; boats and structures had been destroyed; savings invested in Japanese banks were wiped out; bombardment had even depopulated the reefs of marine life. A long-range redevelopment plan was clearly needed and it came in April 1947 when the United Nations Security Council approved a trusteeship agreement for the Marshall Islands designating the United States as the administrative authority. Image Size: 8.5 x 15 in. Overall Size: 9.75 x 16.75 in. Unframed. (B15344)