J2603s

Folk Heroes

John Henry

Fred Collins Signature

Collins Cover Announcement 

AMERICAN FOLK HEROES

JOHN HENRY

My "Casey at the Bat" baseball cachet prompted many of my collectors to write to say how much they enjoyed it. "Pecos Bill" riding the mountain lion across Texas was the second of my Folk Hero set. Now comes the third COLLINS in this series -- John Henry.

John was a "steel driving man" working for the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad in West Virginia. He laid rails and worked on tunnels through solid rock mountains. Legend has it that Henry was the finest steel driver of them all. When the steam drill was invented and threatened the livelihood of the laborers, John pitted his hammer and muscle against the machine in a challenge that has been captured in song and story.

Man and machine battled for ten hours and when the dust had settled, John Henry had bested the machine. But, he would swing his hammer no more as his super-human effort took its toll and he collapsed and died the very same day.

My hand-painted cachet shows Henry with a sledge hammer in each hand driving spikes and laying down new rails. He holds a supply of spikes in his teeth. His wife and son approach to visit "Big John". In the background, an early train engine chugs by. I've chosen bright and vibrant colors to celebrate the up-lifting spirit and fast-paced life of this hard working, steel driving man. American Folk Hero -- John Henry. Item #J2603. $11.75.