Charles J Lundgren (New York, Connecticut, 1911 - 1988) "Mathew Sailing Ship" Signed lower right, titled lower left. Original oil painting on Masonite. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 20c Roanoke Voyages stamp issued July 13, 1984. King Henry VII wistfully eyed the riches the Portuguese and Spanish were bringing back from Asia . . . but he knew that the southern sea lanes around Africa were jealously guarded by these two world powers. As he pondered what route his ships might take to reach the Orient, the Venetian sailor John Cabot offered a solution -- sail west by a northerly route. The eager King agreed. On May 2, 1497, John Cabot boarded his lone ship, the Mathew, a 50 ton ship with a crew of only eighteen. Cabot was indeed an able and confident sailor, for who but the most self-assured would take to the rough North Atlantic with so small a crew and no additional boats. And the Mathew indeed proved to be an able ship for she completed the transatlantic voyage of discovery in just eleven weeks . . . a record time that stood for almost a century! Despite the speed, the journey across the Atlantic was difficult, at best. Once in the New World, Cabot thought that he had indeed found Asia. But, as he sailed down the coast he found neither gold nor spices. Instead, he discovered the wealth of the sea and the forest. On June 24, 1497, John Cabot took possession of the new land for King Henry VII. After exploring the coast of Newfoundland, John Cabot returned to England with tales of great forests and waters teeming with fish. The King rewarded Cabot generously for his efforts . . . and the following year sent him to sea again, on a voyage from which he never returned. Image Size: 18.5 x 18.5 in. Overall Size: 26 x 23.75 in. Unframed. (B08851)