Sailor Jerry was not the first....

[Bubbleberry]

to do traditional tattoos, but who was. I am really interested in the history of traditional american tattooing, any ideas, books, names, etc would be greatly appreciated.

Also any info on the transision into new traditional, tattooists, books etc would be great ;)

[irezumi]

C.W. Eldridge

[gougetheeyes]

C.W. Eldridge

Seconded. And check out BookMistress, too.

[mario desa]

ok, ok, it was me.

[gougetheeyes]

ok, ok, it was me.

HAAAAA Mario is actually 150 years old.

[MsRad]

HAAAAA Mario is actually 150 years old.

150?? that's young! i think Mario is clearly 200 years old at the youngest. duh.

[este7]

Amund Dietzel , coMpare some of their Flash and u'll notice Something....

[este7]

And Brooklyn Joe Lieber was a big influence on S. Jerry

[tat2tony]

Tatts Thomas, Cap Coleman, and Charlie Wagner were all early American Tattooers as well, although I'm not exactly sure as to where they fall on the timeline.

[Bubbleberry]

Thanks everyone !

[Petri Aspvik]

George Burchett and the guys that trained him (had to look it up) Tom Riley and Sutherland MacDonald, that is another mark in history.

Its funny when you think about it. You start going further anzd further back from George etc. anz the designs most likely change and change some more. That in mind, what can ve defined as Traditional tattooing? You cant call it americana because George and the lads were English. Did they learn the trade from other sailors or in a island somewhere. Or did they just one day start poking themself with needle and some ink or soot? I do not know...

But, that is just part of labeling in a way. Doesnt really matter, but its cool, still.

[Juan Pardo]

These Old Blue Arms, the life of Amund Dietzel, I also got recently Bull´s Eyes and Black Eyes and the interview with Rollo Banks by Ed Hardy is really cool, check out Bert Grimm, Owen Jensen and Cap Coleman´s Work...

[Our Endless Days]

this book is an excellent read on the history of traditional tattooing. i felt like a little kid reading goosebumps getting through it.