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USS Tarawa LHA-1 Decommissioning Print

After 30+ years of commendable service, USS Tarawa LHA-1, the lead ship in this class of General Purpose Amphibious Assault Ships will be decommissioned on 31 MAR 2009.  Our ship profile artist, George Bieda, a retired Navy Captain, has produced a drawing to commemorate her years as a floating home to numerous sailors and Marines.  George draws on his many years of Navy experience and an extensive research collection to make his drawings as historically accurate as possible.

In George's drawing, TARAWA is shown configured for her most recent deployment.  Patches indicating the actions in which she participated, and ribbons representing her awards are also included.  It is a 12" X 18" drawing (image size) printed on a 13" X 19" sheet.  The print is produced by high quality giclee printing, on a heavy weight, acid-free, archival stock, using very lightfast inks, to guarantee years of enjoyment.  The print is available framed and unframed.

During her sea deployments, TARAWA was the home away from home of over 900 Navy personnel, and 1900 U.S. Marines.  We offer the drawing, therefore, in both Navy and Marine Corps versions.  The primary difference is the type of insignia bracketing the U. S. Flag in the upper center portion of the drawing.  Thumbnail versions of both prints are shown below.  Click on either image for a larger view, then click your browser's BACK button to return here.

We have also produced a limited number of engraved naval covers for this event.  These are available in the standard collectible format, on a 25% rag content, glue-free flap, #6 envelope.  They have been cancelled in San Diego on 31 MAR 2009, the date and place of the decommissioning, with a specially designed pictorial cancel.  The covers can be purchased separately, or as a companion piece to the print.  There are only 250 of these covers available.  The plate, pictured below with the cover, has been destroyed, thus ensuring that no additional can be produced.  Engraved printing (or intaglio, or die stamping) is a printing method in use for over a hundred years to produce the finest quality work.  It is very rarely used today for naval covers.  This is truly a collectible item!   At the time of this posting, the covers have been sent out for canceling.  We will upload an image of a completed cover as soon as they are returned to us by the San Diego post office.

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