Collection of Tattoo Trade Cards and Business Cards

Collection

Identifier: 064-04-02

Staff Only

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).

Dates

1906 - 2019

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

PPL does not claim copyright to this collection. Users of this item are responsible for determining copyright restrictions.

Biographical / Historical

The Providence Public Library’s Collection of Tattoo Trade Cards and Business Cards incorporates materials from various acquisitions and purchases related to the art, history, and culture of tattooing, as well as materials on the tattoo industry. The Collection of Trade Cards and Business Cards includes the cards of some very well-known tattoo artists such as D.E. Hardy (also known as Don Ed Hardy or Ed Hardy), E.W. Liberty of Boston, Mass., Sailor Moses of Biloxi, Miss., George “Doc” Webb, and a handwritten card from traveling performer Sailor Al Barry (here filed under Colorado, the state where the Sells-Floto Circus began, though Barry maintained a shop in Texas for many years).

Extent

.4 Linear Feet (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

Materials are subdivided by the time periods identified above and then within those time periods they are arranged alphabetically by the state in which the tattooist or tattoo shop is located. The inventory below lists the states represented within the collection. International cards appear at the end of each section, followed by cards whose local origins are unknown.

Custodial History

Materials collected by the Library.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Library purchased materials from 2018-2022.

Accruals

Accruals are expected.

Related Materials

Eddie Poferl Tattoo Collection, Collection #064-02-01, Special Collections, Providence Public Library. Jeff Towns Collection on the History of Tattooing, Collection #105, Special Collections, Providence Public Library. Tattoo Ephemera Collection, Collection #064-04-01, Special Collections, Providence Public Library. Tattoo Flash and Artwork Collection, Collection #064-04-03, Special Collections, Providence Public Library. Tattoo Photograph Collection, Collection #064-03-01, Special Collections, Providence Public Library.