1997 JOHNNY CASH D-42JC SIGNATURE MODEL BLACK MARTIN GUITAR, #3

Hand-crafted dreadnought, three piece back made of East Indian rosewood; ebony fingerboard inlaid with abalone stars, bordered with mother of pearl; rosette and the perimeter of the body are bordered with abalone pearl inlay, with Johnny Cash inlaid between the 19th and 20th frets, inner body decal with Johnny Cash and CF Martin IV handsigned in black ink; #3 of 200 made.

Having played numerous Martin guitars for more than 40 years, to celebrate the "Man In Black", Johnny Cash and Martin teamed up to produce the company's first all black limited edition guitar. Only 200 were produced, each personally handsigned by Johnny and CEO CF Martin IV. The black D42-J model was Johnny's trademark during his resurgence in the late 1990s on the American Recordings label and is featured in numerous publcity photos. Cash owned two of these models; #1, which was also signed by Gene Autry was kept by the family; and this #3, which he played sporadically, including a 1999 recording session, per his daughter-in-law, Laura Cash, who played fiddle and toured with Johnny and June.