Pony Express Rider, (sculpture).

Pony Express Rider, (sculpture).

Holland, Thomas, 1917-2004, sculptor.

Hill, Mike, assistant.

Vianello Art Bronzes, founder.

Pony Express Rider, (sculpture).

Dedicated June 4, 1976.

Sculpture: bronze; Base: granite.

Sculpture: approx. H. 8 ft. D. 10 ft.; Base: approx. 4 x 20 x 20 ft.

Vianello Art Bronzes/Assisted by Mike Hill signed Founder's mark appears.

A Pony Express rider on a horse at full gallop, mounted on a large rock base. The horse rears up on its hind legs, with its two front hooves up in the air. The rider holds a riding crop out in his proper right hand. With his proper left hand he holds the horse's mane and the reins. He wears a waist-length jacket with ten buttons, pants, a brimmed hat, and boots. There are four locked U.S. Mail pouches on the saddle. Thirteen rocks surround the base, and the base is fenced.

History -- United States -- Pony Express

Occupation -- Service -- Postman

History -- United States -- Westward Expansion

Figure male -- Full length

Outdoor Sculpture -- California -- Sacramento

Administered by City of Sacramento, City Parks and Recreation, 1231 I Street, Sacramento, California 95814

Located Old Town Sacramento, 2nd & J Streets, Sacramento, California

Sculpture was commissioned by the estate of Sophia Pleasants Comstock and funded by the City and County of Sacramento, State of California Parks System, and American Revolution Bicentennial Commission of California. Inscription on nearby marker reads: THE PONY EXPRESS/THIS STATUE COMMEMORATES THE GLORY/OF THE PONY EXPRESS, WHICH STARTED HERE/AT 2:45 A.M. ON APRIL 4, 1860, WHEN SAM HAMILTON/GALLOPED INTO A BLINDING RAINSTORM ON THE FIRST/LAP OF THE 1,966 MILE TRIP TO ST. JOSEPH, MISSOURI/DURING ITS 18-MONTH EXISTENCE, ITS 121 RIDERS AND/500 PONIES CARRIED 35,000 PIECES OF MAIL WITH THE/LOSS OF BUT ONE POUCH. THIS VENTURE, FOUNDED BY/RUSSEL, MAJORS AND WADDELL, ENDED CALIFORNIA'S/ISOLATION FROM THE REST OF THE UNION. (Inscription continues with funding and donor information).

Save Outdoor Sculpture, California, Sacramento survey, 1992.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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