PORTSMOUTH—Portsmouth NH 400th (PNH400) is delighted to announce that there’s an exciting new addition to the PNH400 merchandise now on sale.

On July 27 as a flotilla of local boats welcome the tall ships arriving for Sail Portsmouth 2023, there will be a Blessing of the Fleet from Four Tree Island. Representatives from multiple faiths and the Cowasuck Band of the Pennacook-Abenaki People will extend their blessing to the passing fleet.

To commemorate the revival of this treasured Portsmouth tradition, Blessing of the Fleet sponsor Brewster’s Bait & Tackle has commissioned the incomparable local artist Dan Blakeslee to create a special artwork, now made available to the public as a four-color silkscreen print on sturdy 100-lb art paper.

“PNH400 is thrilled to be able to offer this VERY limited edition silkscreen print, crafted, numbered and signed by Dan Blakeslee’s own hand,” said PNH400 Managing Director Valerie Rochon. “These rare collectible keepsakes celebrate the energy and diversity of our waterfront celebration and are perfect for framing, as a gift, or both!”

The limited edition 11x17” prints are $75 each and are available exclusively on the PNH400 website: https://www.portsmouthnh400.org/portsmouth-nh-400-mercantile/p/blakeslee-botf-11x17-silk-screen Online orders cannot be shipped. They must be picked up at Portsmouth Historical Society, 10 Middle St., Portsmouth.

PNH400 has also produced a run of more affordable, digital 11x17” reproductions of the original artwork. These were printed on heavy, high-quality matte photo paper by PNH400 in-kind sponsor AlphaGraphics and are available online at https://www.portsmouthnh400.org/portsmouth-nh-400-mercantile/p/blakeslee-botf-11x17-digital-print or at Portsmouth Historical Society, 10 Middle St., Portsmouth. These prints can be shipped upon request.

Kennedy Gallery and Custom Framing at 41 Market St., Portsmouth, is generously offering a 25 percent discount on the price of framing the keepsake 11x17 print.

For more information on the Blessing of the Fleet, visit: https://www.portsmouthnh400.org/upcoming-programs/blessing-of-the-fleet

For more information on the entire calendar of Portsmouth NH 400 events, visit: https://www.portsmouthnh400.org/overview-calendar

Portsmouth NH 400th Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible to the extent the law allows. Check donations, made out to Portsmouth NH 400th, Inc. should be mailed to PNH400 at One Junkins Ave., Box PNH400, Portsmouth NH 03801. For more information on sponsorships, donations and other funding opportunities, please contact PNH400 Community Engagement Officer Susan Labrie at susan@portsmouthnh400.org

About Portsmouth NH 400th, Inc. (PortsmouthNH400.org)

The Portsmouth NH 400th anniversary celebrations are made possible in part thanks to the support of Bank of America, Piscataqua Savings Bank, Service Credit Union, Local IQ, members of the 400 Shoalers Club and 1623 Revolutionaries Club and additional sponsors and donors. The goal of Portsmouth NH 400th, Inc. is to give the community an inclusive opportunity to tell the stories that are important to them, through programs, events, exhibits and legacy projects. Portsmouth NH 400th celebrates the diverse and animated social, political, intellectual, cultural, economic and spiritual history of Portsmouth, from before European settlement in 1623 to the present. Portsmouth NH 400th, Inc. invites individuals and organizations considering programs and events for the Portsmouth NH 400th Anniversary celebration to join the collaborative effort. A key intention is for the Portsmouth NH 400th, Inc. team to engage the next generation(s) in exploring what the City’s 2023 legacy might be and deciding how they might steward Portsmouth and its history beyond 2023.