Keith Reynolds (American, Born 1929) "German Warship SMS Nautilus" Signed lower right. Original Oil painting on Canvas Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which appeared on the Republic of the Marshall Islands 35c German Warship SMS Nautilus stamp issued April 19, 1994. First launched on August 31, 1871, the gunboat SMS Nautilus was designed for military and surveillance use. However, on October 13, 1885, the craft sailed to the Marshallese island of Jaluit on a different type of mission. That day SMS Nautilus carried documentation officially allowing Germany to annex the Marshall Islands from the rest of Micronesia. Two days after the ship's arrival, a group of marines came ashore and marched to the home of the German consul. After bestowing gifts upon the local chiefs assembled there, the documents were produced, read aloud and signed in "English letters" by each of the traditional leaders. This was followed by a 21-gun salute and the planting of a sign that read "Imperial German Protectorate." Shortly afterward, SMS Nautilus sailed to seven other Marshallese islands where the ceremony was repeated. Image Size: 14.25 x 24 in. Overall Size: 20 x 24 in. Unframed. (B14615)