Vintage Tattoos

[amandainvermont]

This was on the Retronaut site -

1911 - Maud Wagner - Female Tattoo artist.

 

[sewingmachinegirl]

Wow- that image is amazing!

 

[anothertimevintageapparel]

Change the hair style and one would not know this photo was over 100 years old.

 

[TangerineBoutique]

that is flipping amazing!!! I love the chest piece with the two lions and the woman. Just showed this to my son who is a real connoisseur of tattoos and knows a lot of the history. Even he was impressed. It looks like she is wearing some kind of fantastic lace, I love it.
Melody

 

[sewingmachinegirl]

You know, those tattoos remind me of the illustrations in Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak ( or surname something like that)

 

[cmpollack]

You know, those tattoos remind me of the illustrations in Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak ( or surname something like that)

"The Illustrated Man" (or Woman!) came to mind for me...

Incredible! (But I can't help thinking of how much it must have hurt to get those tattoos...)

 

[Sherrys.Camera]

This is a wonderful photo.

 

[Erica Arnold]

All about the lady in the photograph. Artoria.

http://www.tattooarchive.com/tattoo_history/gibbons_artoria.html

 

[retro ruth]

Thanks very much for that link Erica - I've seen this photo before but knew nothing about the woman. But is this photo Artoria, or Maud Wagner?

 

[cmpollack]

Yes, thanks for the link, Erica! I found this info in the article really interesting:

Carrying on in the grand tradition that goes back to the 1800’s, a tattooist would tattoo his wife thus making her his calling card for his tattooing ability.

But I agree with Ruth that the woman in the photo above seems to be Maud Wagner. Here are a couple of sites about her and her husband Gus:

http://clickamericana.com/eras/1900s/meet-the-tattooed-lady-mrs-gus-wagner-1909
http://oldschooltattooexpo.com/wagner.html

 

[Erica Arnold]

Nice big signature on her arm Carrie and Ruth!

 

[amandainvermont]

I would like to have a better look at Artoria's legs!

 

[pinky-a-gogo]

Yes, Maude Wagner and Artoria Gibbons are 2 different ladies.