Chris Calle (American, B. 1961) "Boy with Old Trains" Signed lower right. Original Mixed Media painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 29c Toy Train stamp issued October 22, 1992. Nothing quite compares to the aroma of a mother's kitchen on Christmas morning. The scents of roasting turkey, baking pies and steaming plum pudding not only invigorate one's appetite, but also stir memories of Christmases past. Feasting on special occasions is an age-old custom dating back to the ancient days of the hunter and gatherer. Primitive man ate when he could. After a successful hunt he gorged himself on meat ... and more meat. When berries were ripe, he ate berries ... and more berries. With the advent of agriculture, the harvest marked a time of plenty, and people ate heartily when the crops were in. Perhaps the most fabled holiday feast in humankind's history was served in England on Christmas Day in 1770, at Sir Henry Grey's. It consisted of one pie that measured 9 feet in circumference and weighed twelve stone -- 168 pounds. Inside, baked to perfection, were four geese, four wild ducks, two woodcocks, two turkeys, four partridges, seven blackbirds, six pigeons, two rabbits, two cow's tongues, two bushels of flour, 20 pounds of butter and various other items. This meal spawned the English colloquialism: "The Devil himself dare not appear in Cornwall during Christmas for fear of being baked in a pie." Image Size: 13.75 x 12.5 in. Overall Size: 23.25 x 19 in. Unframed. (B13936)