Hatch Show Print in Nashville, Tennessee, is renowned for its historic letterpress artistry, and the distinctive Triple Johnny Cash Poster perfectly encapsulates this legacy. This print isn’t just a tribute to the legendary Johnny Cash and a nod to Andy Warhol’s pop art influence; it’s a testament to Hatch Show Print’s rich history, the relationships they cultivate with their patrons, and even an accidental lesson during a cub scout visit.
In the mid-1990s, a troop of cub scouts found themselves in the print shop, receiving an impromptu masterclass from the shop’s manager, Jim Sherraden. Sherraden was demonstrating the meticulous process of “making ready.” This involves carefully adjusting type or photoplates with delicate paper shims to achieve a flawless print. The blocks are then precisely positioned on the press to ensure they align perfectly within the overall poster design.
During this educational visit, a staff member was in the midst of reprinting the classic Johnny Cash Show Poster. In a moment of playful instruction, Jim Sherraden deliberately misaligned the Johnny Cash photoplate on the press. He ran a print, showcasing the slight imperfection to the scouts. Comparing it to a correct sample, the young audience readily agreed: Johnny Cash needed to shift to the right on the print. To achieve this on paper, Sherraden explained, meant moving the plate to the left on the press bed. He adjusted the plate, secured it, and ran the same print again – revealing two Johnny Cashes side-by-side.
This happy accident soon evolved. A third Johnny Cash was added to the design, and a striking solid gold background block completed the transformation into the now-famous Triple Johnny Cash Poster. This poster stands as a vibrant example of how spontaneity and a touch of serendipity can contribute to iconic design within the time-honored craft of Hatch Show Print.
Designer’s Notes:
- Approximate Size: 14″ x 22″
- Size may vary slightly
- Letterpress print.
- Printed on Vandercook SP-15, Universal III, or Miehle 29 presses.
- Handmade in Nashville, Tennessee.
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Framed Triple Johnny Cash Poster
