Dennis Lyall (American, B. 1946) "Flag First Praised As "Old Glory"" Signed lower center. Original Oil painting on Canvas. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood Commerative Cover for Old Glory's Proudest Moments postmarked on the anniversary March 17, 2002. The legend of "Old Glory" begins with the War of 1812. The exploits of fast, new naval frigates such as the U.S.S. Constitution or "Old Ironsides", impressed the world, especially residents along America's coastlines. The memory of these magic ships and America's triumphant flag must have been strong in William Driver, a ship's cabin boy born in Salem, Massachusetts in 1803. At the age of 21, Driver was experienced enough to become master of the merchant ship, Charles Doggett. For his birthday on March 17, 1824, his mother and a group of Salem girls presented him with a fine new flag for his ship. There were speeches, and a crowd watched as Captain Driver hoisted his new colors to the masthead. The ship's salute gun banged. Against an azure sky the brilliant, 24-star flag unfurled magnificently. Moved by the poetry of the moment, Driver nicknamed his flag "Old Glory." In 1834, after years of sailing, he retired to Nashville, Tennessee where he proudly displayed the flag at his home. During the Civil War, Confederate sympathizers tried unsuccessfully to confiscate the flag, but Driver and his friends had sewn it into a comforter. Shortly before he died in 1886, the old sea captain reportedly placed a bundle into his daughter's arms, saying "This is my ship flag, Old Glory..." The flag was kept as a family treasure until 1922 when it was placed in the Smithsonian Institution. Carefully preserved, the original "Old Glory" remains an important piece of Americana. Image Size: 15 x 12.75 in. Overall Size: 18.5 x 16 in. Unframed. (B16967)