"Mary Rose", 1545
Nautical Seascape Maritime Painting Oil on Canvas Board 
Artist: Charles J Lundgren (New York, Connecticut, 1911 - 1988)
Original Nautical Art used for First Day Cover!

Over the past couple years we discovered a most gifted artist that some of the most famous have also pursued.  The artist is Charles Lundgren and I now know why historical figures like John Wayne , J.P. Morgan and Mrs. Dwight D. Eisenhower haved admired and collected his works .   

NOTE:  Although this work of art is NOT framed, we have included images of frames it will look amazing in.  A decorative gold molding like we have included the image above seems to highlight and magnify  the beautiful colors and detail. 

* See enlargeable images above 
 

NOTE: Very few original Charles Lundgren's paintings appear on the market.  Most of what you will see are prints and lithographs of his paintings. This Original painting was actually used for an FDC Cover issued in 1978.
But, I am most fascinated with well executed Marine/Nautical art that has a fascinating historical connection.  Which is why this Stamp First Day Issue collection by Charles Lundgren is so captivating. 

Description:
Charles J Lundgren (New York, Connecticut, 1911 - 1988) "Mary Rose" Signed lower right. Original oil painting on Masonite.

Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.

This artwork was originally published on the Fleetwood Proofcard for the Great Britain Maritime stamps issued June 16, 1982.

History of the battleship "Mary Rose":
On July 19, 1545, King Henry VIII and his court festively gathered on the northeast corner of the Isle of Wight to watch the English fleet, including the Mary Rose, sail into battle against an invading French navy just offshore. Just after midday the Mary Rose advanced on four leading French galleys. The sea was calm and Henry VIII's prized flagship bored on toward her enemy. But, suddenly, tragedy struck. The Mary Rose heeled over and quickly sank. Most of the crew of the doomed ship of over 715 men drowned in full view of the aghast King and his court. An official English inquiry determined that panic occurred among the inexperienced crew of the Mary Rose when a sudden strong gust of wind hit the ship as the sails were being hoisted. According to the inquiry, a clumsy tack and a sharp heel allowed tons of murky water to pour through the open gun ports and carry the H.M.S. Mary Rose and her terrified crew fifty feet down to a watery grave. The French historian, du Bellay, tells a different story: "Fortune favored our fleet ... among other damages which the English received, the 'Mary Rose,' one of their principal ships, was sunk by our cannon, and of the hundreds of men which were on board, only five and thirty escaped." Whether the Mary Rose sank from French gunfire or as the result of mishandling by her crew remained as much a mystery to the King as it does to us, over four centuries later.

Image Size: 18 x 20.5 in.
Overall Size: 25 x 27 in.
Unframed.

*The detail is astonishing !  From the canons and the windows to the repairs in the meticulous realistic painted sails
 

History/Background of Artwork Commission:
The Fleetwood / Unicover Corporation produced this beautiful limited edition set of 50 State related covers for Great Fighting Ships of the United States. Each cover is cancelled in the Capital City of the State, and during the years 1986 or 1987. The covers are cacheted using the beautiful original paintings by the artist Charles Lundgrenl. The Art depicts each Naval Vessel at Sea. Each cover offers a full description of the Ship and its' History on the reverse side.

These First Day Covers are available on eBay.   Imagine Owning the original artwork for these FDCs?

Artist BIO:
Charles Lundgren American 1911 - 1988

Fine marine painting is much more than the illustration of ship and water. It is the evocation of salt and tar, wind and sail, the light, the movement of water ... the affinity of man and sea. As an experienced yachtsman, historian of the sea, as well as an acclaimed marine artist, Charles Lundgren captured this complex harmony in his paintings.

Looking every bit the part of the ancient mariner, himself, Lundgren's love and respect for deep water was reflected in every painting. Combined with his consummate skill as an artist, this resulted in marine painting at its finest. Study at the New York School of Fine and Applied Art (Parsons), the Paris School of Fine and Applied Art, as well as schools in Germany and Italy, plus extensive travel throughout Europe and Africa enabled Lundgren to develop his talents and perfect his technique.

One art critic praised him with these words: "He is, in my eyes, much more than a painter of the sea. He is a believer in it. A historian of the days when men reached new continents by sail and stars alone."   Lundgren's painting skills were sought by individuals --- he often painted "portraits" of the boats and ships owned by the rich and the famous --- as well as museums and companies.

But, I am most fascinated with well executed Marine/Nautical art that has a fascinating historical connection.  Which is why this Stamp First Day Issue collection by Charles Lundgren is so captivating. 

Not suprisingly, his works were acquired for such collections of Huntington Hartford, J.P. Morgan, Mrs. Dwight D. Eisenhower, John Wayne, Pegeen Fitzgerald, Cornelius Walsh, George Jensen and Eric Sloane.

Sales History: In November 2006 Lundgren's painting Race Day In Bermuda, sold for $18,000. 

Note: Cvtreasures stamp Not on original