SIDNEY ARMER (1871-1962) CALIFORNIA'S WELCOME TO THE FLEET / SAN FRANCISCO. 1908.
39 3/4x27 inches, 101x68 1/2 cm. Britton & Rey, San Francisco.
Condition B+: tear at top edge, through upper image; minor creases in image. Mounted on Japan.
In 1907, President Theodore Roosevelt sent the United States Navy on an around-the-world tour. As the ships were all painted white, the entourage became known as the Great White Fleet. Setting sail from Hampton Roads, Virginia on December 16, 1907, the first leg of the 14-month voyage culminated in San Francisco on May 6, 1908. San Francisco erupted into a frenzy of patriotism, excitement and hospitality upon the fleet's arrival. In a front page article on May 6th, 1908, the San Francisco Call described, "within the city half a million people are awaiting that dramatic moment when they will see for themselves the famous vessels about which they have heard so much, and release at that instant the pent up patriotic fervor and enthusiasm that has been gathering for weeks. A hundred thousand visitors are here, coming from the north and east and south - some even from the Hawaiian isles - all proud alike of the glory of the city and the honor that has been given to it, of all others, in receiving and bidding welcome to the fleet . . . They are coming, men, women and children, with but one idea - to see the fleet." Armer was a California artist who is best remembered for having designed the Sun Maid Raisin logo. He specialized in botanical watercolors. rare. Northern California pl. 2.