Dennis Lyall (American, B. 1946) "Peary Plants Flag At North Pole" Signed lower center. Original Oil painting on Canvasboard. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood Commerative Cover for Old Glory's Proudest Moments postmarked on the anniversary April 6, 2002. In the last half of the 19th century, when explorers were popular heroes, a young Robert E. Peary made up his mind that Arctic exploration and reaching the North Pole offered the best hope for achieving similar renown. Many Pole seekers tried to take creature comforts with them, reluctant to live like Eskimos. Some paid for this reluctance with their lives. But Peary was different. He studied how Eskimos lived, figuring to translate their hard-won knowledge into success. For the Arctic is a dangerous place, where ice seems alive under pressure from the tides, the wind and barometric change. Sometimes it breaks apart, leaving ice islands, other times it flows together, grinding and roaring, pushing ice peaks skyward. This fury is accompanied by blizzards and heart-stopping cold. But Peary planned for these phenomena. Finally, in July 1908, aboard the ship Roosevelt, his expedition reached 82 degrees 30 minutes north. Ninety miles further north, they set up base camp on Ellesmere Island, 413 miles from the Pole. On February 28, 1909, a lead group set out followed the next day by the rest in a total contingent of 19 sleds, 133 dogs and 24 men. Many dropped out and returned to camp. In the final 133-mile trek to the Pole only Peary, Matthew Henson and four Eskimos remained. Following a hard push and celestial observation, they found themselves three miles fronm the Pole. One more hard, final effort and on April 6, 1909, they were successful and Peary planted the flag at the top of the world. Image Size: 15 x 12.75 in. Overall Size: 18.5 x 15.75 in. Unframed. (B16974)