William Alexander Coulter (1849 - 1936) born in Ireland, Important San Francisco self-taught artist. Signed lower right and dated 1890, oil on board. Titled "Golden Gate - San Francisco Bay." This painting was used by the US Postal service to make the plate for the "Golden Gate 20 cent Carmine Rose" The stamp was originally issued May 1 1923. The Golden Gate Bridge as it exists today was completed in 1937. Diego Salazar gold leaf frame. William Alexander Coulter was born on March 7, 1849 in Glenariff, Ireland where his father was captain in the Coast Guard. At age thirteen the younger Coulter went to sea and for seven years his apprenticeship allowed him to learn every detail of the ships on which he sailed. He had a natural gift for drawing and color and during his off-duty hours aboard ship he sketched and painted. After arriving in San Francisco in 1869, he worked as a sailmaker while continuing to paint in his leisure, and by 1874 was regularly exhibiting with the San Francisco Art Association. Coulter was for the most part self-taught except for a period of three years in the late 1870s when he studied in Europe with marine artists Vilhelm Melbey, Francois Musin, and Jacob Jacobsen. One of his most important commissions was done between 1909-20 when he painted five 16' x 18' mural panels for the Assembly Room of the Merchants Exchange Building. This room was the center of all the trading and maritime business of the day on the West Coast. Overall: 17 x 19 in. Sight: 9 3/4 x 11 3/4 in. Please note that all sales are final. No refunds will be given under any circumstances.