Chris Calle: Pony Express Rider

Artist: Chris Calle
1961 -
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1993
Image Size: 12.5 by 15.5 inches
Overall Size: 20 by 23.25 inches
Medium: Mixed Media on Hot Press Illustration Board

Although delivering mail by horseback was not a new practice -- about 500 B.C. Persian postriders carried messages distances of 1,500 miles in just over seven days -- it continued to be America's main mode of postal transportation until the late 1800s. On April 3, 1860, the famed Pony Express system of continuous horse-and-rider relays launched its inaugural journey from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California. At 5:30 p.m., on the 13th, the final messenger reached his destination. Such colorful Old West characters as "Buffalo Bill" Cody and "Pony Bob" Haslam braved the dangers of wilderness travel to move mail across the 1,800 mile route. To accomplish this feat, riders changed horses six to eight times between the 157 stations along the way. The mail was carried in a special pouch called a mochilla. This rectangular piece of leather was fitted with four locked pockets for mail, and cut-outs for the saddle horn and seat. During a change of horses, the mailbag was quickly lifted off one animal and thrown on another. This piece of equipment was vital for keeping within the two-minute limit allowed for relay stops. Despite its fame, the existence of the Pony Express was brief. With the advent of the transcontinental telegraph, on October 26, 1861, the mail-toting steeds were halted forever.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover for the United States 29¢ National Postal Museum Pony Express stam p issued July 30, 1993.

Artwork Copyright © 1993 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB14473

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