Outside the Autry Museum in Griffith Park is this gorgeous sculpture called “Special Delivery,” by renowned artist Douglas Van Howd.

This sculpture depicts a true story in American history.

In March, 1861, Abraham Lincoln delivered his first inauguration address.

The speech was telegraphed across the United States, but in 1861, telegraphs only extended as far west as Nebraska.

California relied on the Pony Express.

‘Special Delivery’ is the depiction of the telegraph operator, handing a leather case containing Lincoln’s inauguration address to the pony express rider, as the rider hops on his horse to head west to California.

He made the trip in record time: 7 days and 17 hours.

This sculpture is gorgeous.  

Everything about it highlights the urgency of the delivery.

The telegraph operator with 1 foot on the ground, the other extended behind him as he leans in to hand the delivery to the rider.

The rider grabbing the delivery as he’s mounting his horse, the fringe on his jacket flying from the movement.

The horse rearing as he prepares to take off.

This sculpture embodies motion and urgency.

Balance

Notice as well the balance of the sculpture – there are only 2 points of contact with the ground.

Only 1 horse’s hoof, the other 3 animated in air.

Only 1 foot of the telegraph operator, handing the inauguration address to the rider.  

The sculpture is a mastery of balance and beauty.  

Details

Notice some of the fine details of the sculpture.

The fringe is beautiful, flying in different directions as the rider is mounting his steed.

The rider is wearing a holster and gun, and spurs on his boots.

Notice the stirrup and reins flying as well.

Pony Express riders had a special pouch that covered the saddle called a “mochila.” it had 4 pouches to carry the mail, 2 on each side of the mochila.

Also notice the rider’s expression. He’s grabbing the pouch, but his concentration is wholly on his destination.

The horse’s ears are laid back against his head, as he readies himself for the ride ahead. His mane, as well, reflects his forward motion.

Contrast

The precision of the rider is countered with the seeming clumsiness of the telegraph operator.  

He wears an oversized coat and ordinary shoes.

He’s awkwardly handing the pouch to the rider.

The contrast between the telegraph operator and the pony express rider couldn’t be more pronounced.

And yet, each was important to the task at hand.  Without the skill of the telegraph operator, there would be no special delivery for the Pony Express.

Mirroring

There are several parts of this sculpture that seem to mirror each other.

First, look at the horse’s back leg and the telegraph operator’s leg.

The rider’s leg & foot mirror the angle of the horse’s tail.

Observations

Artistically, it appears as though there is less detail in the telegraph operator and more detail as you move forward on the sculpture, further amplifying the sense of urgency to move forward.

And yet, as you move forward, there is more and more detail — the fringe, the glove, the mustache, the intense expression, the horse’s mane and expression.

But practically, I suspect that it’s the weight of the bronze in the coat that provides balance to the sculpture as a whole.

History

The Pony Express only ran for only about 18 months, and yet legends about the Pony Express and its riders have endured for generations. The Pony Express was used as a bridge between telegraph lines — a speedier alternative to the slower stagecoach rides. But once a telegraph was installed in California, almost overnight, the Pony Express became extinct.

This sculpture was commissioned by Barron Hilton in 1994 and lived in his Hilton Hotel in Reno, Nevada for many years.  

I’m not sure when the Autry acquired it, but they petitioned the LA Parks and Rec in 2012 to place the sculpture outside the museum, and that request was approved.

There are 2 plaques beneath the sculpture, both with the same inscription:

“The Pony Express was created on April 3, 1860, to move mail from St.Joseph, MO to Sacramento, CA, a distance of 1960 miles. The Pony Express consisted of 190 stations, 500 select horses, and 80 experienced riders who averaged 75 miles a day and were paid $25 per week. The mail cost $1 to $5 per ounce and was carried in a leather vest or mochila designed for a quick change. The most famous ride was in March 1861 when Abraham Lincoln became President. The news and Inaugural Address was to reach the west by Pony Express “Special Delivery”. While the average ride took 9 to 10 days, this news was delivered in a record 7 days 17 hours.”

This sculpture is free to visit, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.