Tuesday, September 13, 2011

The Old Try

About a month ago I got an email from a guy named Micah Whitson. He and his wife, Marianna, both Southerners by birth, moved to Boston five years ago.

Not too long ago, in an attempt to bring a touch of the South to the (sometimes) frigid land north of the Mason Dixon, they started a company called Old Try and started creating prints on an old letterpress machine. Each one is designed by them, printed in runs of 100 on cotton paper, and distinctly Southern. Check out some of their current offerings below.






I'm not really much of an "art guy." However, these really appealed to me, and for only $40 a piece, they appealed to my wallet. I ended up ordering three from them. I got the Georgia state flag, City of Atlanta, and New/Old South ones.


I asked Micah about plans for any upcoming prints. He said that his wife told him that they had to sell 100 prints before they would do another one, but that he has a notebook full of ideas. I asked him if he'd be willing to share some potential ideas and he sent me the following photos, which include a preview of the upcoming Virginia print.



He also sent me a photo of the desk where he does his sketches. He had this to say about it: "Marianna's grandfather, a lawyer in Wilmington, NC, who turns 90 in a month who still goes into the office, made it with his hands and a few tools. I think it was more hands than anything. He's a pretty amazing character."

If you're from the South (or even if you're a Yankee), I've got a feeling you can find something you'd like on their page. Go check them out and order a print or two...or three.

6 comments:

Phoebe said...

Thanks for the heads up. I love that New/Old South print!

Back Down South said...

Came across Old Try last week and have been tumbling, pinning, and tweeting about them since. Such cool stuff! Planning on snagging something here soon.

TAMulloy said...

Thanks for the find! Already placed an order for (2) prints, one of them may have been Black market.....

Unknown said...

Love these prints! If only we could get Florida chopped off of the "New South" one...

Anonymous said...

Whoever said that print was racist, was a douche bag. I hate when people who try to be creative and industrious, are thwarted by the spoiled and myopic. I will be purchasing a print, if for no other reason than to support people who choose to support themselves; which is becoming rare. Thanks for the post.

Kyle Taylor said...

I'm not normally an art guy either but am always drawn to anything related to state pride. These are all great pieces but I'm looking at the same 3 as you..maybe the Hotty Totty too?