John Swatsley (American, B. 1937) "Steamboat Phoenix (1809)" Signed lower right. Original Oil painting on Illustration Board.

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

This painting is the original painting which appeared on the Fleetwood First Day of Issue Maximum Card for the U.S. 25c Steamboat Phoenix stamp issued March 3, 1989.

In the beginning of the steamboat era, two gentlemen by the names of Fulton and Livingston had a monopoly on steamboat operation in the New York area. John Stevens, Jr., a wealthy New Jersey inventor who had also been involved in steamboat development for many years, launched his own steamboat, the Phoenix, in defiance of the Fulton-Livingston monopoly of the area. Stevens worked his steamboat on the Hudson and in New Jersey waters for close to a year, and then decided to move her to the Delaware, far from Fulton-Livingston territory. It was a weighty decision, for it meant that the craft would have to steam through over 150 miles of open water. Nevertheless, the Phoenix put to sea, with Captain Moses Rogers as her master. Thirteen days later, after several delays due to bad weather and engine trouble, the Phoenix reached Philadelphia. The successful completion of her treacherous journey earned the little sidewheeler her place in American history. She was the first ocean-going steamboat in the world!

Image Size: 8.75 x 12 in.
Overall Size: 15 x 18 in.
Unframed.
(B11869)

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