Barnum & Bunnell’s Tattooed Humbugs: Manifesting a Tattoo Trade Researched & Written by Carmen Nyssen The tattoo trade in America, as we know it today, resides with a diversity of talented tattoo artists and a broad range of customers who […]
A Tattooed Affair: Earliest Tattooed Attractions Researched & Written by Carmen Nyssen The wondrous dime museum phenomenon built by circus magnate Phineas T. Barnum and his trusty protégé George Burr Bunnell manifested an extravaganza of never-before-seen tattooed attractions that brought […]
Tattoo Magic on Main Street Original Research/Writing by Carmen Forquer Nyssen Los Angeles’ Main Street was homebase to an A-list of tattooers in the early part of the 20th Century. Within a several block stretch, the talented bunch—including Bert Grimm, […]
Birth of the Tattoo Trade: New York Bowery Researched & Written by Carmen Forquer Nyssen The tale of how tattooing emerged as a bona fide trade in America is a fascinating account, set in the backdrop of old New York […]
Al G. Barnes Tattooed Men: Frank Martin & Bert Price Written & Researched by Carmen Nyssen Circus biographer Dave Robeson asserted that “No half measures ever satisfied…” the great showman, Al G. Barnes. And so it was with Barnes’ sideshow […]
Slim Lewis: Elephant Trainer-Tattooer Researched & Written by Carmen Nyssen Pacific Northwest tattoo artist, George Washington “Slim” Lewis (1911-1981), ranked among numerous tattoo artists whose careers intermingled with the world of circuses and sideshows. In 1927, at age 16, Slim […]
