Howard Koslow (American, 1924 - 2016) "American Samoa" Signed lower right. Original Acrylic painting on Cold Press Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 33c American Samoa stamp issued June 14, 2000. Archaeologists believe Samoa was settled over 2,500 years ago by voyagers from the Melanesian islands to the west. In 1722 the first European to sight the islands, Dutch navigator Jacob Roggeveen, sailed by without landing. In 1768 French explorer Louis Antoine de Bougainville rediscovered the archipelago. In 1830 John Williams established a mission for the London Missionary Society. Nine years later, Lieutenant Charles Wilkes led the U.S. Exploring Expedition in surveying the islands as a possible whaling station. In 1872 U.S. Navy Commodore Richard W. Meade negotiated with the Samoans for the use of the natural harbor on the island of Tutuila as a coaling station. International rivalry between the United States, Great Britain and Germany over Samoa was resolved in 1899. Germany took control of the islands west of the 171 degree W meridian, while the remaining seven islands fell under the auspices of the United States and became known as American Samoa. After World War I New Zealand administered the western islands as a League of Nations mandate and following World War II as a U.N. trusteeship. In 1962 the territory gained its independence as Western Samoa. The U.S. Navy administered American Samoa until 1951 when the Department of Interior assumed responsibility. Today, American Samoa is an unincorporated United States territory. The U.S. Postal Service issued this beautiful stamp to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the historical union between the United States and American Samoa. Image Size: 14 x 12 in. Overall Size: 20.25 x 18 in. Unframed. (B16743)