Antique Fine Maritime Art Seascape Paintings Oil Canvas Nautical Marine Ocean Painting Artwork For Sale 
"H.M.S. Resolution Near Alaska", 1778
(Capt James Cook)
Nautical Seascape Marine Art Painting Oil 
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 .   

My long time customers and friends know me as a collector and seller of Rare Vintage Entertainment,  Sports Treasures.  But, I’ve also been a collector of fine Seascape and Marinel Art for several years.   Including schooners, sail ships and primitive battle ships at sea.     And, you might assume my office walls are cluttered with vintage movie posters and classic [sports artifacts.  Yes, but relatively little.  My office is primarily enriched with Nautical art, namely beautiful large ships at sea.  

And although we own two other impressive paintings from him,  it is this most recent Lundgren acquisition that is particularly exciting .  I think you’ll agree !   Feast your eyes on the enlargeable images above and below.  ENJOY!

* 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 the "Captain James Cook" 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. 

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.

Description
Charles J Lundgren (New York, Connecticut, 1911 - 1988) "H.M.S. Resolution Near Alaska" Signed lower left. Oil 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. 13c Captain James Cook stamp issued in 1978.

James Cook FRS (7 November 1728 – 14 February 1779) was a British explorer, navigator, cartographer, and captain in the British Royal Navy, famous for his three voyages between 1768 and 1779 in the Pacific Ocean and to Australia in particular. He made detailed maps of Newfoundland prior to making three voyages to the Pacific, during which he achieved the first recorded European contact with the eastern coastline of Australia and the Hawaiian Islands, and the first recorded circumnavigation of New Zealand.

Cook's instruction on the third voyage was to seek a trade route to China and the East, one which would save European traders the long and dangerous trip around the Cape of Good Hope. The search for the Northwest Passage occupied most of 1778 and took Cook along the hazardous Alaskan coast. As his ships the H.M.S. Resolution and H.M.S. Discovery sailed farther and farther north, it became evident that the chances for discovering a navigable sea passage were very remote. Soon they were carefully threading their way around jagged ice floes. "We were at this time in 20 fathoms of water," wrote Cook in his journal in August, "... close to the edge of the ice which was as compact as a wall and seemed to be ten or twelve feet high at least. The Discovery being about a mile astern and to leeward found less water than we did and was obliged to tack for it. Our situation was now more and more critical, we were in shoald water upon a lee shore and the main body of the ice in sight to wind ward and driving down upon us." By his expert seamanship, Cook was able to sail free from danger. He was beaten by the ice. But, he was convinced, only for the time being. "My attention was now directed toward finding out some place where we could obtain wood and water, and in the considering of how I should spend the winter so as to return to the north in the ensuing summer." He chose Hawaii for winter quarters. A fateful decision, for there Cook met an untimely death in an incident with the natives.

NOTE: I invite you to read James Cook's WIKI page which is most fascinating !

Image Size: 18.25 x 19.75 in.
Overall Size: 21 x 23 in.
Unframed.
 

History/Background:
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 art 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