Keith Reynolds (American, B. 1929) "Dutch Ship Eendracht" Signed lower right. Original Oil painting on Canvas Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting originally appeared on the Republic of the Marshall Islands 20c Dutch Ship Eendracht stamp issued September 23, 1994. It is believed that the Dutch Ship Eendracht was the first vessel to reach the Pacific Ocean via the Straits of Le Maire, located at the tip of South America along Tierra del Fuego. Perhaps the Eendracht used that route on January 25, 1625, the date ancient records reveal that the ship sailed by the northern reaches of the Marshall Islands. Under the command of Admiral Gheen Schapenham, the Eendracht's crew sighted Taongi, an island group situated in the northeast region of the Marshalls. Although many Pacific-bound fleets of that era were taken over the by Dutch East Indian Company -- a business that was established to protect Dutch trade interests in the Indian Ocean and assist in that nation's war for independence from Spain -- the Eendracht was the exception. The following year she returned to the Netherlands. Image Size: 13.5 x 24 in. Overall Size: 20 x 24 in. Unframed. (B14773)