Mel Crawford (Canadian, B. 1925) "Great Seal of Florida" Signed lower right. Original Mixed Media painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood Great Seal of the State of Florida Commemorative Cover issued March 3, 1984. Anticipating statehood, the territory of Florida called a general assembly in 1838 to draw up a constitution for the future state. Part of the constitution stated "the first elected Governor should select the new seal design." Seven years later, when Florida joined the Union, Governor William D. Moseley exercised his constitutional right and had a new seal designed. Succeeding officials did not like the seal and changed it several times, until it evolved into the grand seal it is today. In the background is a side-wheeler boat representing transportation. Rising above the boat is the framed sun of Florida. A sabal palmetto palm rises toward the warmth of the sun, and beneath it stands a native Indian girl. At one point during the evolution of the seal, an artist who had never been to Florida was commissioned to improve the seal's design. However, in addition to improving it, he also portrayed the sun rising from behind towering mountains. The female Indian was depicted with a crown of eagle feathers . . . quite unlike any Florida Indians. After numerous letters of complaint from the residents of Florida, the mountains were removed, and the Indian girl's headdress was corrected. Image Size: 12 x 12 in. Overall Size: 15 x 15 in. Unframed. (B08615)