Donald Moss (American, 1920 - 2010) "Rancho San Pedro Mission" Signed lower right. Original Oil painting on Cold Press Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day of Issue Postal Card for the U.S. 13c Rancho San Pedro issue of September 16, 1984. The area surrounding Los Angeles harbors many historic buildings dating back to the days of Spanish rule and beyond. For instance, one of the first official Spanish missions -- founded by Franciscan priests in 1771 -- is the Mission San Gabriel Archangel. Thirteen years after this mission was founded, Juan Hose Dominguez was granted the 75,000 acre Rancho San Pedro south of Los Angeles. King Carlos III of Spain gave this gift in recognition of Dominquez's years of service as guide, interpreter and soldier. In 1821, Mexico earned her independence from Spain, and the region around Los Angeles remained under Mexican control until 1848, when the entire California area was ceded to the United States under the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Under American rule, many Spaniard and Mexican settlers in the region did not hold legal claim to their land ... so the heirs of Juan Hose Dominguez applied for a verifiable patent of ownership. Finally, on December 18, 1858, the formal patent of title to the Rancho San Pedro was signed by President James Buchanan at the White House. The original Rancho San Pedro was L-shaped ... until it was remodeled by architect George Riccard in 1906. Today, the adobe building encloses a garden on three sides, with curved-arch portals and a tile-gabled roof. Image Size: 13.75 x 12 in. Overall Size: 20 x 17 in. Unframed. (B09145)