Edit Object 176

A significant work of art and history skillfully blended by the brush of Milton Burns. While the New York Harbor subjects of the Brooklyn Bridge, known ships and wonderful environmental light all factor in, the most important historic component is the presence of Guglielmo Marconi onboard S.S. PONCE, from where he transmitted the first paid ship-to-shore radio transmission and the first U.S. Naval radio message on September 30, 1899.

Invited by publisher and avid yachtsman J. Gordon Bennett, Jr. To come to America and broadcast the 1899 America's Cup, Marconi was contacted by the U.S. Naval department as well, who had been considering the potential uses of the emerging communication technology. He personally installed equipment on the Puerto Rico Line ship, and the cable ship MACKAY BENNETT, as well as a shore station at the Highland Light at Navesink, New Jersey. The S.S. GRANDE DUCHESSE, the white sidewheeler before the PONCE's bow, was equipped with W.J. Clarke's compatible radio apparatus.

Burns painted this work to commemorate the importance of the moment. He captured Marconi's New York arrival after the transmissions. The harbor is active with tugs and a schooner headed for the South Street docks. The weather is bright, light and crisp with the subtly painted marine haze which pops the ships colors prominently forward. The America's Cup races actually were postponed almost a month due to the mild fall weather. This gave Marconi time to set-up further tests and equipment in several U.S Naval ships. The new age of 20th century communications began at sea.

Select a Type
American Ship Portrait
Barometers
Bells
Binnacles & Compasses
Binoculars
Book Maritime
Book Voyages
Books
Books General
Boylhart Collection
Builders Full Models
Builders Half-Model
Canes - Decorative
Canes - Gimmick
Cannons
Carving
Chronometers
Clocks
Contemporary Art
Contemporary Models
Decorative Art - Boxes
Dieppe Models
Diorama Models
Diving Helmets & Equipment
Dockyard Models
Edged Weapons
Engravings
Figureheads
Firearms
Fishing Equipment
Folk Art Models
Furniture
Glass and Pottery
Globes
Jewelry
Joe & Lisa's Art Collection
Lamps
Letters
Lighthouse Artifacts
Limited-Edition Prints
Lithographs
Maps & Charts
Marine Narrative
Marine Narrative at Sea
Medical
Microscopes
Miscellaneous Artifacts
Navigation Instruments - Compass
Navigation Instruments
Navigation Instruments - Sextant
Octants, Quadrants & Backstaffs
Original art
Other Models
Painted Photograph
Passenger Liner Memorabilia
Patent Models
Period Models
Photographs
Pond Models
Pottery
Prints
Prisoner-of-War Artifacts
Prisoner-of-War Models
Sailor Crafts
Sailor Valentines
Sailor Woolworks
Scrimshaw Artifacts
Scrimshaw Private
Scrimshaw Teeth
Sea Chests
Sextants
Ship Clocks
Ship Hardwares
Ship in a Bottle
Ship Log Books
Ships Flogging Whip
Signed Documents
Silver and Silver Plated Models
Speaking Trumpets
Statues
Steam Engine Models
Steam Models
Sundials
Sword
Tankards & Pitchers
Telescopes
Tillers, Rudders & Yokes
Toy Models
Trinity Boxes
Trophys & Presentions
Voyages & Travels
Watches
Whaling