Hatch Show Print
by Bennett Holzworth, (4 comments)
In order to have a little more information for my upcoming HOW Conference session reviews, I have been reading books by some of the presenters. Hatch Show Print: The History of an American Poster Shop 
I have only been doing letterpress printing in my spare time for less than a year, and currently I have only done small and precise work. Hatch Show Print’s posters have spurred me into getting a 1920’s 12”x18” Chandler & Price letterpress and four trays of wood type. I am already looking for an excuse to print a letterpress poster.
This book is a treasure for any designer. It is a great resource of what has and is being done by this 125 year old poster shop. It is also interesting to see how the look of these posters has remained fairly consistent. This consistency runs through their early minstrel show posters, the historic Elvis posters and up to posters for acts like the Dave Matthew’s Band. The story of how Hatch has survived though various owners, tastes in entertainment and changes in technology is worth the price of admission.
What I realized from reading this book is that letterpress had been losing ground to offset printing even before the turn of the century. Despite this fact, Hatch Show Print has somehow been able to convince their clients of the unique benefits of the letterpress poster. Wether it was the sons of the founder or Jim Sherraden making Hatch what it is today, it is amazing to see that it has survived and now thrives.
After getting through this book fairly quickly you realize that this is probably just the tip of the full 125 year history of Hatch. This does however make for a quick and enjoyable read. This also might help the fan of country and blue grass music not get bored with in-depth explanations of letterpress and vice-versa for the letterpress and design enthusiast. Bottom line is this book was very efficient. This tends to be the nature of letterpress itself. If you have to cut the image into wood or set the type by hand, you find yourself only using what is necessary. This book gives a good glimpse of a little piece of American history.
Comments (4)
JonSel said:
I was bitten by the letterpress bug when I was around 8 and used my summer camp’s small tabletop Äì¬ÝI don’t recall the model or manufacturer Äì to make stationery with my name on it. Ever since I became a designer, I’ve been buying bits of wood type here and there in the hope that I’d eventually get a press of my own. I’ve finally managed it, and about 4 weeks ago, I moved a Samson 8x12 platen press into my garage. I’ve been in heaven ever since. My ultimate goal is to get a Vandercook to be able to do more precise and larger work, but I’m loving every treadle-pumped moment.
Bennett, how did you manage to move a 12x18 press? That thing must be a behemoth. It took some very large men (and lots of beer) to get my 8x12 out of a moving van without dropping it.
As for the book, I’ve had it for a few years and am dying to make a trip to Nashville to see Jim and the presses in action. I won’t be making the conference this year, but hopefully he’ll do another session down the road.
Posted on June 6, 2005
clinton Carlson said:
I came across this book a few years ago, it tells some fantastic stories. I was intrigued by the history, the musicians and Jim Sherraden’s exploration and use of the historical blocks in new prints.
So a year ago, I jumped at the opportunity to attend a one-day workshop with Jim Sherraden in Seattle. He had brought along dozens of wood and metal blocks from the Hatch collection, his terrific ability to tell stories, and a collection of Hatch prints (both poster restrikes of historical posters, and some of the fantastic new prints that incorporate the old blocks). Hopefully, Sherraden will bring some of these prints to the conference. They are quite nice, I personally drooled over Sherraden’s print that incorporated blocks from old bluegrass legend Bill Monroe posters (unfortunately not in my price range).
Bennett, enjoy the session. I’m sure it will be one of the more entertaining sessions.
Posted on June 6, 2005
Bennett said:
JonSel,
I am so envious of how early you started in with letterpress. I have a little tabletop of my own that probably won’t get used much anymore.
I rented a forklift to get the 12”x18” off the trailer. It is one massive machine (1500 - 2000 lbs). I will have to share the photo essay when I get back from the conference.
I am also looking for a Vandercook, but I know it won’t be cheap if I do find one. Meanwhile I have access to the local college’s. They let me use it whenever I want. I will probably post my latest printing that was done on the Vandercook later this week. They are bookmarks promoting the blog and they will be placed in this year’s goody bag at the Conference. I ended up printing 3,500 (3up) and I don’t have a desire to hand print anything of that quantity again. With that said, it was worth it.
Posted on June 6, 2005
Aaron Benson said:
Regarding the search for a Vandercook - have you contacted Don Black (and family) in Toronto. Their company has a wide variety of letterpress, monotype, and linotype equipment. ”>http://www.donblack.ca/
Anyway, they are good people, and really know their stuff.
We have a Fag Standard 15x20 proofing press. It is a beauty, and also very heavy.
Aaron
Posted on August 22, 2005