Gregory Rudd (American, B. 1952) "John Henry" Signed lower right. Original Oil painting on Cold Press Illustration Board.

Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.

This painting is the original painting which appeared on the Fleetwood First Day Cover of the 32c John Henry stamp issued July 11, 1996. "He gave a long and lonesome cry, 'Gonna be a steel-drivin' man." Established in American legend and song, The Ballad of John Henry came to symbolize Man against Machine. The legend of John Henry is based on fact, as well as myth. After the Civil War, railroad construction steadily increased throughout the United States as the railroad industry sought to span the continent with the "Iron Horse." Railroad gangs -- many of whom were former slaves -- were hired for the backbreaking and hazardous work of blasting tunnels, laying track and building bridges. Between 1870 and 1873, the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad built the Big Bend Tunnel in the Allegheny Mountains in West Virginia. The steel driver's job was to hammer long steel spikes into the rock to create openings for explosive charges. As work on the Big Bend Tunnel progressed, the C & O Railroad introduced a new mechanical steam drill. According to legend, a black steel driver named John Henry matched his strength against the steam drill. "John Henry told his captain, 'A man ain't nothin' but a man, fo' I let your steam drill beat me down I'll die with this hammer in my hand.'" The foreman arranged a contest between John Henry and the best man with a steam drill. John Henry won the contest, but "he drove so hard 'til he broke his po' heart, then he laid down his hammer and he died."

Image Size: 14.5 x 12.5 in.
Overall Size: 16.75 x 15.25 in.
Unframed.
(B15492)

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16.75 x 15.25 in