Herb Kawainui Kane (American, 1928 - 2011) "1800s Life in Marshalls - Breadfruit" Signed lower left. Original Mixed Media painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the First Day Cover for the Republic of the Marshall Islands 29c Woman with Breadfruit stamp issued September 15, 1993. The memorable HMS Bounty, which saw Captain William Bligh ousted by mutiny, was originally on a mission to retrieve breadfruit trees from Tahiti. This starchy fruit was a vital source of sustenance for many islanders, including the Marshallese. Breadfruit not only provided nourishment, but the tree itself was a valuable source of wood used in the construction of canoes. Even the tree's sap was employed, after being rendered over a fire, as glue and caulk. In 1817, French artist Louis Choris sketched the people of the Marshall Islands, often portraying them in the midst of their day-to-day activities. Image Size: 14.75 x 18 in. Overall Size: 18 x 21.25 in. Unframed. (B14470)