Shannon Stirnweis (Arizona, New York, New Hampshire Oregon, B. 1931) "Rochambeau's Landing" Signed lower right. Original Oil 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. 10c Rochambeau Landing stamp issued July 11, 1980.

On July 11, 1780, the Comte Jean-Baptiste de Rochambeau landed at Newport Rhode Island, with an expeditionary force of almost six thousand French troops. Including such famous regiments as the Royal Deux-Ponts, the Saintonge, the Bourbonnais, the Soissonnais and the calvary legion of the Duc de Lauzun, these troops were obviously disciplined, experienced fighting men sent by Louis XVI to aid the American fight for independence. In one of his first dispatches, Rochambeau wrote to General Washington, "The commands of the King place me under the orders of Your Excellency," meaning that he and his troops were at Washington's disposal and that French military power was at last wholeheartedly committed to the noble American cause. Rochambeau and his forces remained at Newport for nearly a year awaiting French naval reinforcements. Finally, in June of 1781, they joined the American army near White Plains, New York, and the united, armies marched to the south to join the army of the Marquis de Lafayette at Williamsburg, Virginia, on September 14. On October 2, the combined forces, reinforced by four thousand troops brought from Haiti by the French fleet under de Grasse, laid seige to British forces at Yorktown under Major General Charles Cornwallis. The presence of a second French fleet from Newport prevented a British escape by sea. On October 19, Cornwallis surrendered, virtually ending America's war for independence.

Image Size: 18.5 x 15.5 in.
Overall Size: 23.75 x 20 in.
Unframed.
(B06594)

- 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 or cashier’s check, no other forms of payment will be accepted.

- 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 6 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 out bid or may have placed a bid equal to another bidder. Therefore, we always recommend bidding live.

23.75 x 20 in