Sep 282011
Nob Hill
Corner of Powell and California
This bronze statue “Resting Hermes,” is a remnant of the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition that sits outside the University Club on California Street in San Francisco. If you ride the cable car and hop on or off at the top of Powell street, walk over and take a look. He sits along the wall on the California side of the club, between Powell and Miles Street.
The 300-lb bronze depicting the Greek god of merchants and shepherds – as well as travelers, translators, and some other things – was originally sent to San Francisco by J. Chivarri & Co. of Napoli for the Italian Exhibit at the Panama Pacific International Exposition in 1915.
Later, the University Club purchased Resting Hermes for $300. It was stolen in 1974 and recovered following a plea by the San Francisco Chronicle columnist and pulitzer prize winner Herb Caen. It was stolen again in 2004, only to return to its rightful place after much ado and indignation by the citizens of San Francisco.
Hermes was the messenger and herald of the gods. Among his legends, Hermes slayed Argos after putting the 100-eyed giant to sleep with voluminous tales of Hermes’ own adventures. As a messenger, his travels and exploits were many.
Hmmm. It has been stolen TWICE!? Must be the messenger of the gods gave the thieves an earful. 🙂
Such a beautiful statue, and story to go with it. How I would love to time-travel and visit the Pan Pacific Expo!
A surprise to see a classical statue here! And yes, was he the god of thieves or what?!!