Basil Smith (British, B. 1925). "The Cow Jumped over the Moon" Original Mixed Media painting on Hot Press Illustration Board. Signed lower left.

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 Cover for the Westminster Collector's Society 20p The Man on the Moon stamp issued February 6, 1990.

The Moon, Earth's satellite and closest astral neighbor, has been a source of inspiration to poets and dreamers throughout the centuries. Its craters and mountains were first studied by astronomer Galileo, but weren't actually mapped until 1837 by Johann von M?dler. Because of their eerie resemblance to the human face, lunar spots have afforded an especially rich subject for the play of human fancy. Perhaps the oldest myth relating to the man in the moon originates in the Old Testament. In the Book of Numbers, a man is caught gathering sticks on the Sabbath, and as an example to mankind, he is condemned to stand forever on the moon with a bundle on his back. Chaucer and Shakespeare also allude to the man in the moon as an individual who was banished to the lunar surface as punishment. Even so, people throughout the centuries have seen the man in the moon as a more benevolent presence in the night sky, evoking the mysteries of the universe and of love. Many nursery rhymes have also been inspired by the moon. One credits the man in the moon with visiting earth: "The Man in the Moon came down too soon and asked his way to Norwich..." and another popular nursery rhyme conjures up a cow jumping over the moon.

Image Size: 6 x 7 in.
Overall Size: 9 x 10 in.
Unframed.
(B12343)

- By registering to bid for this auction either in-house or online and/or placing a bid in this auction the BIDDER/BUYER agrees to all the terms and conditions of Helmuth Stone Gallery Auctions.

- All silver, gold and/or jewelry lots or invoices containing said lots MUST be paid for via WIRE TRANSFER, no other forms of payment will be accepted.

- All items are sold as-is where-is and no guarantees are made of any kind. All sales are final; no refunds will be given under any circumstances.

- Helmuth Stone Gallery provides condition reports as a courtesy to our clients and assumes no liability for any error or omission. Any condition statement is given as a courtesy to a client and is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Descriptions are our opinions and should in no way be construed as a guarantee of any kind as to age, condition, mater. The bidder assumes responsibility for ensuring that the condition of the item(s) meets with their satisfaction prior to bidding. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging.

- Online images can sometimes be low quality due to the uploading process, original high-resolution images can be requested via email at HelmuthStone@gmail.com

- We recommend looking into shipping quotes prior to bidding, shipping quotes can take up to a week or more post-sale as we host our auctions through multiple online platforms and shipping can become backlogged, if you would like a list of local shippers please email us directly.

- Our auction catalogs are hosted through multiple online platforms along with phone and in-house bidding. Bids placed on other platforms are not shown through this catalog. Because of this, even if it appears you are the only absentee bid or bidder on a lot, you may already be outbid or may have placed a bid equal to another bidder. Therefore, we always recommend bidding live.

- Unless otherwise stated in the description, all items are sold without additional documentation or COAs. If any supporting documentation is available an image will be available online via the catalog listing.