Mark Schuler (American, B. 1951) "Hermes Spaceplane" Signed lower left. Original Mixed Media on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting originally appeared on the Fleetwood First Day Cover of the 29c Variable-Amount Postage Coil issued August 20, 1992. When the U.S. Congress was considering the Bald Eagle as America's national emblem, the choice was met by some powerful opposition. Benjamin Franklin, for one, voiced his displeasure, suggesting the turkey would make a more fitting icon. In a letter to his daughter Sarah, Franklin even referred to the Eagle as "a bird of bad moral character; like those among men who live by sharping and robbing, he is generally poor, and often very lousy." A century later, orinthologist Arthur Cleveland Bent -- referring to the bird's piratical attacks on smaller, weaker osprey -- stated that Eagles "hardly inspire respect and certainly do not exemplify the best in American character." Yet despite such critical remarks, the Bald Eagle has remained one of America's most highly-recognized and treasured symbols. Image Size: 14.75 x 13.5 in. Overall Size: 21 x 18 in. Unframed. (B13955) See More