064. Tattoo History

Scope and Contents

The spiral-bound notebook is part sketchbook and part journal, with drawings as well as notes on magic and astrology, drafts of letters, and notes. Two photo albums contain approximately 268 color 4"x6" photos of tattoos done by the shop. Approximately 600 ndividual sheets of flash in three-ring binder sleeves were removed from binders and foldered during processing.

Content Description

The collection is comprised of twenty-nine photographs of convention attendees, one convention program, and two newspaper clippings.

Scope and Contents

The collection comprises 19 letters in 22 mailing envelopes. Included in the correspondence is poetry and artwork by the author, a tattoo artist. Many of the envelopes are decorated as well.

Scope and Contents

The collection includes the tattoo tools, records and tattoo designs related to Poferl’s work as an early 20th century American tattooer. Included are original designs and illustrations by Poferl, tattoo equipment and ephemera especially related to his collegial relationship with contemporary tattooer Percy Waters.

Scope and Contents

The Tattoo Flash and Artwork Collection contains sheets of tattoo flash as well as artwork created for the purposes of display within tattoo studios in order to give customers ideas for potential tattoos as well as to demonstrate the artistic style and talents of the tattoo artist.

Scope and Contents The Tattoo Photograph Collection contains postcards, cabinet cards, and other photographic forms from the late 19th century through early 20th century, featuring images of tattooed performers, tattoo artists, and other tattooed individuals. Most of the images are in the form of unfranked postcards, though a few of the postcards were circulated and include routine correspondence unrelated to the image. In addition to postcards and photographs, there are also a small number of cabinet...

Scope and Contents

The Providence Public Library’s Collection of Tattoo Trade Cards amd Business Cards includes business cards from tattoo artists, tattoo shops, and suppliers primarily located in the United States, though there are also a small number of international tattooists represented as well. Two separate and distinct time periods are portrayed: items from the early to mid 20th century (c.1906-c.1960) and items from the late 20th to early 21st century (c.1980-c.2019).