American Cowboy 1865 History: The word "Cowboy" finds its origin for the first time in Ireland around the year 1000 a.C. In 1604 Irish prisoners were deported to New England by Oliver Cromwell, here in 1655 the term appears again since the shepherds wearing leather jackets and coats that escorted cattle from Springfield to Boston were called "cowboys". In 1750 the word was used for those men who escorted cattle in Virginia, Carolina and Georgia. One needs to wait until 1830 to find the first examples of cattlemen specialized under the Mexican model of "Vaqueros" and this all lasted until the year 1863 during the turbulent period that preceded the foundation of the State of Texas. The Cowboys are presented by modern films as rough drunken brawlers, in reality this was not true. The real Cowboy had a code of honour that he respected, and identified himself solely with his own sense of power and pride. Disputes were not solved by fist fighting but the ritual imposed a loyal duel by gun. The Cowboy despised richness, deeply respected women and children and was also religious. The heroic era of the Cowboy started at the end of the secession war (1865) because after the devastations of the conflict, the request for leather and meat rose enormously. In this period the Cowboy became the most emblematic figure of the national myths. The time of the Cowboy finished when the railroad civilization took over, people had no more fear of travelling the West and millions of settlers invaded the lands and erected fences which prevented the Cowboy from continuing to rove the immense plains on his horse. Painting: The modeller is free to use his own imagination in painting the figure or use the photo on the assembly kit as a guideline. Sculptor:Gianni La Rocca Historical research and translation: Riccardo Carrabino