This Great Looking Painting Has Been Sold. Thank you!AMERICAN BALTIMORE CLIPPER SHIP   Oil on canvas                                          Unsigned Unframed 19" L x 15 1/2" H                      Framed 24"L x 20" H   Presented is an original oil painting on canvas of an unidentified Baltimore Clipper sailing off the coast of the U.S. She is either in the process of making sail or handing her sails since she is under reduced canvas. The painting comes with a very handsome gilded frame.   The aged look is enhanced by heavy cracquelure and is handsomely framed in period style gilded wood. The painting is done by an artist trained in the style of the period who is a master of his craft. Consequently, It should be considered of recent vintage. The artist captures the excitement of sailing in a freshening breeze, cutting though the chops with all sails being set or handed under a cloudy sky of brilliant blues and white.           BRIEF HISTORY OF LATER BALTIMORE CLIPPERS: In the 1790's, Maryland led the nation in shipbuilding and Baltimore was the undisputed leader of this industry on the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore Clippers, built for speed in an era when speed on the high seas was synonymous with survival, won the respect of the maritime nations of the world and helped establish the reputation of the Port of Baltimore as a center of commerce and the home of some of the world's most creative shipbuilders. The design for Baltimore Clippers emerged from the shipyards of Fells Point in response to the need for fast ships that could elude the powerful but lumbering British naval vessels that preyed upon American shipping, even after our successful War of Independence. Baltimore Clippers were "sharp built," that is, they had a V-shaped hull that could cut quickly through the waves. As a result they were fast, but had little cargo space, a major factor in their eventual decline. They were gaff-rigged schooners, although many had a square sail for driving power on the foremast. As a consequence, they could sail closer to the wind and were much more maneuverable than the clumsy full-rigged British ships of the time. They reached their zenith between 1795, the unofficial re-commencement of naval hostilities between the US and Great Britain, and 1815, the end of our Second War of Independence. After that time, changing economic and maritime conditions made them obsolete. They stand, however, as thoroughbred progenitors to a remarkable lineage of American sailing vessels. The design of this vessel is an evolution from the early ones of this type which were used primarily as small warships and privateers starting around 1790. After the War of 1812  there was little need for fast, armed schooners with limited cargo space. American commerce required larger vessels that could carry more goods. In the 1840s a new generation of fast large ships evolved that came to be known as Yankee Clippers or simply Clipper Ships. These were three masted, full-rigged ships, that is, they had square sails on all three masts. Although the design and construction of these vessels is generally attributed to New England shipyards, some were built in Fells Point, Baltimore including the beautiful Ann McKim, one of the largest and swiftest clippers ever to sail. Courtesy Pride of Baltimore II Organization International buyers welcome, but inquire first.  We have satisfied customers in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Martinique, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Nova Scotia, Panama, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, USVI and the Eastern Caribbean.   SHIPPING & PACKING: The cost of shipping, packing, handling, and insurance to your destination, is an additional charge. You may email us to get these costs. We price our shipping honestly, but we expect to be reimbursed for the nominal cost of packaging materials and handling.   OUR UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTEE: If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned, if without damage, within three days of receipt in its original packaging. Return items must be insured for their full value. A prior email authorization by us for the return is required. Unfortunately, shipping charges are not included in this offer and are non-refundable unless due to our error. An beautiful painting that captures the romance of the early American ocean commerce Copyright 2011 by Land And Sea Collection™, All Rights Reserved