Robert Edmund Lee (New York/California/Norway, 1899-1980) maritime oil on canvas painting depicting the sailing ship Montezuma, depicted at full mast navigating choppy ocean waters. Signed lower left Lio. with copyright symbol above, both in red. Leo. Zeitlhofer and Company, New York, NY label, en verso, top of frame. Housed in a contemporary wooden frame. Sight – 29 3/4" H x 39 3/4" W. Framed – 36 1/4" H x 46 1/2" W. 1st half 20th century. History (Courtesy: Jan Lettens): The American packet ship Montezuma was a 3-masted, square-rigged ship, built in New York in 1843 by Webb & Allen for the Black Ball Line of packets between New York and Liverpool. 924 tons; 162' x 35' 8" x 21' ft. Montezuma was wrecked on Jones Beach, Long Island, on 18 May 1854, on a voyage from Liverpool to New York, carrying approximate 500 immigrant passengers. All passengers and crew were saved. The MONTEZUMA was one of the fastest packets of her day, her westbound passages averaging 34 days, with her fastest passage being 27 days. Unusual for her time, she was painted with dummy gun ports, like a Blackwall frigate. CONDITION: Overall good condition. Craquelure and scattered surface grime. 1/8" gap at top between frame and canvas. Canvas professionally relined.