Dennis

Got the Black & Grey Tattoo box set in the mail yesterday!

Man, the all black and grey looks amazing! Stick with that theme for sure!

I'm wearing mine right now! Wooo!

@Wilhell Great collection! I'm considering purchasing the Mick book soon before it sells out. Looks amazing!

Anyone else have the recurring urge to punt Emily in the ham wallet?

Similar theme and layout, but different artists for each arm!

I've seen work from "name" artists that wasn't the greatest, but I wouldn't say any of them have "lost" it. They are all human and have off days. I used to get bent out of shape if I noticed anything on a tattoo what wasn't perfect, but now I step back and look at the piece as a whole. It would be ridiculous to write off a whole suit based on a couple blow outs/poorly healed shading here and there. I'm in the same boat as @Graeme , I've travelled for tattoos based on how the work connects with me, and how the interaction was with the artist themselves. Skill is irrelevant if the person is an asshole. That being said, Horiyoshi III finished this piece up in July. Can't say I'd object to being the owner!

That would be nice, but I doubt any libraries in the communities I've lived in (less than 5000, down to less than 1000) would be stocking limited edition tattoo books. :p The thought of sharing said books with the assholes in an apartment complex makes me shudder! Most people don't properly look after stuff like books and CDs when they own them, let alone if it isn't theirs!

I can see where you're coming from. I like collecting books, music and tattoo related stuff. Lots of the items I collected are limited edition and their value tends to appreciate with time, so I see some of the things I've purchased as an investment. That being said, the closest tattoo artist to me which I have/would get work from is a 9 hour drive one way, and others I've had to fly for. When I'm ready for another one/make an appointment I'll start allocating funds towards sessions/travel. Until that time comes, woo books, skulls and music! :)

Ordered another book and scored a Kapala. THIS IS WHY I GET TATTOOED ONCE EVERY COUPLE YEARS!!!!!!!

@peterpoose The new shading/depth on the face looks amazing! I thought the original was a little flat after it healed, but this addresses that and them some!

Uigu Lee in Cheonan, Korea does some incredible dragons!

Thanks for the info! The Tattoo in Japan book is great, tons of high quality photography from different Japanese artists. Definitely worth picking up! Lots of times you can find amazing deals for tattoo books on Amazon, surprisingly enough. They have the Bloodworks: Bodies set for around $178 dollars right now. That's a steal! The Horimasa book is awesome, part sketches and part tattoo work, similar to Adam Kitamoto's book in layout. I think I'm the opposite, I always buy tattoo related paraphernalia and don't have money to get tattooed! Hahah

Here's mine in list form if you can't make them out in the picture! Horimasa (signed) Organica Bunshin II The Japanese Tattoo Suits Made to Fit Bushido: Legacies of the Japanese Tattoo Tattoo History: A Source Book The Eye of Atrocity Demons from the Haunted World Outlaw Swords of Death Samurai Ghosts and Monster Wars Night Parade of Dead Souls Shawn Barber's Memoir Escaping the Gallows Japanese Ghost Stories Japanese Mythical Creatures The Extraordinary Drawings of Laurie Lipton (somewhat related as reference material) Jef Bertels (signed) Backpiece Tattoo 1-3 Ed Hardy's Tattoo Time Ozuma Kaname's Shienrenjo Tokyo Tattoo 1970 Wabori The Art of the Leu Family (signed) Underway is the Only Way Smilin' Buddha (signed) Myths, Gods and Legends Studying Horiyoshi III Rodrigo Melo's Japanese Style Tattoo Art Perseverance Ed Hardy's Wear Your Dreams JBxH3 Japanese Demon Lore: Oni Shunga: Japanese Erotic Art Cosmic Mook Tattoo 1-4 The Mammoth Book of Tattoos Full Coverage Chris Trevino's Gods and Warriors In a World of Compromise...I Don't (signed by Bob Roberts) Leu Family's Family Iron Tattoo in Japan Hiroshige: Sixty Nine Stations of Kisokaido The Fingerwave Book Bloodworks: Bodies Some knock off books of Horimouja sketches and Filip Leu's dragon books. Given to me as a gift, they meant well! Hahah Currently waiting for the "Black & Grey Tattoo 1-3: From Street Art to Fine Art" box set to come in!

I would add Tattoo History: A Source Book to that list as well. Affordable and extremely informative! The Tattoo History Source Book: Steve Gilbert: 9781890451066: Amazon.com: Books

Shige, Horitoshi and Wanzakure are on my to get list for sure! How is the Horitoshi book? Is the Shige one of the first pressing hardcover copies?

@ironchef Likewise! Henning and Rubendall are two of my favourites!

I'm always interested to see what tattoo related books/items people have purchased. If you don't have any photos of what you've got, post a list of your books! If you've acquired anything tattoo related such as Japanese masks or something similar, I'd love to see those as well! Man I love tattoo books! :D EDIT: Oops, should've posted my picture to start this thing off! I just finished moving all my school and science related books to a different shelf to make room for a couple new tattoo books I've got coming in, which is what prompted me to start the thread. The only tattoo related book I've got that isn't on the shelf is Bloodworks: Bodies! The book is so massive it won't fit anywhere! The shoeboxes up top are filled with stickers and tattoo business cards!

Here are some of mine from Kurt Wiscombe!

Done by Ed in 1979! GOD DAMN!!!!!!!

Rob is a fantastic tattoo artist and a really nice guy as well!

Here's mine!

Horikaka, I think he is in his mid twenties or so!

Maximum Strength Dr. Numb! An artist used it on me for back to back sessions. It made it much more tolerable, especially since I tend to get a little shaky/twitchy when I get further into a session. I see no harm in using it when a) it doesn't affect healing, b) it will help you sit better, thus making your artist's job easier and c) you've put a substantial amount of time/money into traveling for said tattoo and you want to get as much done as possible in the time that you are there.