Dean Ellis (New York, 1920 - 2009) "First Sighting by Spanish Explorers" Original Tempura Painting on 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 Republic of the Marshall Islands 55c First Sighting by Spanish Explorers, 1527 stamp issued May 2, 1996. In 1527, Spanish King Charles V ordered conquistador Hernan Cort?s to send support from New Spain, now known as Mexico, to forces in the Moluccas. Cort?s outfitted three vessels and dispatched them under the command of his cousin, navigator Alvaro de Saavedra. Arriving in the Moluccas too late to help the besieged Spanish troops, Saavedra determined to find a new route across the Pacific. Following a northeast heading, his flagship, the Florida, made landfall on October 1 at an atoll that, based on the ship's log, is believed to be either Enewetak or Bikini in the Marshall Islands. During this visit to the island, the Florida's crew established cordial relations with the natives and exchanged gifts. Eventually the Florida set sail, continuing on its northeast course, but less than two weeks after leaving the Marshall Islands, Saavedra succumbed to an illness. Image Size: 8.5 x 15 in. Overall Size: 10.5 x 16.5 in. Unframed. (B15331)