TATTOO BOOKS
This nostalgic collection of early American tattoo art will charm collectors, artists, and the ever-growing tattoo audience. Tracing the history of tattoos in the U.S. through biographies of tattoo artists and featuring stunning, full-color illustrations of the works themselves--also known as "flash"--this gorgeous ArtBox details the unique style of the classic American tattoo. 35 full-color and b&w images. 15 postcards of "flash". 3 temporary tattoos. Decorated box. $8.95
This nostalgic collection of early American tattoo art will charm collectors, artists, and the ever-growing tattoo audience. Tracing the history of tattoos in the U.S. through biographies of tattoo artists and featuring stunning, full-color illustrations of the works themselves--also known as "flash"--this gorgeous ArtBox details the unique style of the classic American tattoo. 35 full-color and b&w images. 15 postcards of "flash." 3 temporary tattoos. Decorated box. $5.68
From Native American designs to bikers' insignias, this one-of-kind collection of photographs features work done by more than 25 of the world's top tattoo artists in over 250 archival and commissioned photos. The Art of the Tattoo presents the rich history and evolution of tattoo art - from the crude designs of European Ice Men and the vivid images of crusaders and sailors to the wide variety of contemporary and classic tattoo styles. Expert authors demonstrate how early traditional styles have influenced modern tattoo artists, and quotations, commentary, and observations from artists and tattooed alike explain the symbolism and historical development of particular motifs. $14.98
Booknews, Inc. , June 1, 1991
Subtitled A social history of the tattoo with gangs, sailors, and street-corner punks, 1950-1965. Nearly 40 years ago, the author gave up his career as an English professor to become a tattoo artist. At the urging of his friend Dr. Alfred Kinsey, he kept a daily journal for many years about his experiences, from which this anecdotal analysis is derived. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or. $10.47
A fascinating excursion into a thriving subculture, this book explores the feminist significance of tattoos, noting that women's involvement with tattoo accelerated in both the suffragist '20s and the feminist '70s. Author Margot Mifflin uncovers the subversive relationship between women and tattoo, from society ladies who want to sever their identification with "natural" beauty, to the healing powers that tattoo's color and symbolism can provide for a mastectomy survivor. 100 photos, some in color. $19.16
Subtitled A Complete Illustrated Guide To Tattoos, Piercings, and other Body Modifications. A good overview of the state of body modification and provides a good introduction to many different body modification procedures. All in all a good introduction to the world of body modification. $8.95
Color Full Pain: Tattoo Piercing is an amazing portfolio of black and white photographs, Walter Kehr documents one of the strangest fads to sweep through the contemporary American counter-culture -- body piercing and tattooing. Practices normally associated with primitive cultures, body piercing combined with tattooing has taken on aspects of social protest and the "body-as-art". Warning: Kehr's Color Full Of Pain is not for the squeamish. $17.50
Subtitled A Celebration of Body Adornment : Piercing, Tattooing, Scarification, Body Painting. This book is a good introduction to the world of body modification, concentrating on piercing and scarification. A coffee table sized book lavishly illustrated with many pictures, and a good outline of why people modify themselves. $17.50
Synopsis
Gives information needed to make an informed decision about body modification including the laws and safety regulations surrounding this business. $19.95
Entertainment Weekly, Margot Mifflin
Although the book can come across as too specialized for the average reader, New York City Tattoo does unearth and preserve an alluringly gritty chunk of postwar, pre-hippie New York history. $24.00