Alexander Phimister Proctor
(1862-1950)
"Pony Express"
Patinated bronze on wood backing
Signed and titled in the casting: © A. Phimister Proctor / Sc
Commissioned in 1910 by Wells Fargo to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Pony Express
Bronze: 16.75" Dia.; Overall: 22" Dia. x 1.875" D
Notes: Wells Fargo Co. commissioned this plaque for the 50th anniversary of the Pony Express in 1910. The plaque shows a cowboy on horseback riding on a fast galloping horse going to the next relay station. The plaque is signed lower center by Proctor under the Pony Express logo. The plaque was made to mark 60 of the original 190 Pony Express stations that had been built between St. Joseph, Missouri and Sacramento, California. Each monument would be decorated with a commemorative bronze plaque mounted into the building, rock plinth, or some other suitable base. The bronze plaque is listed in the Bergmann books on bronzes, volume 4 on pages 1184-1185 and 4759. This is a great depiction of an era in communications that lasted only 15 months in time. The plaque measures 17 inches in diameter and weighs 12 pounds. Mounted on the original circular Oak American Arts and Crafts wood base plaque.

Overall good condition with scuffs and darkening/oxidation to bronze commensurate with age. Minor soiling to wood backing. Condition reports are offered as a courtesy and are typically published in Moran's catalogue or can be made available upon request. The absence of a condition report does not imply that an item is free from defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of others. Buyers are responsible for determining to their own satisfaction the true nature and condition of any lot prior to bidding. Though buyers are not legally required to inspect lots prior to purchase, failure to do so may constitute a waiver of complaint that an item was not delivered in a condition equal to the existent condition at the auction.