Henk Schiffmachers Private Collection of the Art and Its Makers, 1730s1970s

One part history book, one part art book, and one part fascinating memoir, this book is an overview of more than two centuries of tattoo history intermixed with an intimate look at the lives of tattoo artists, and the personal struggles and triumphs, occupational hazards, and artistic courage that have defined so much of this history.

For the last forty years,Henk Schiffmacherhaspoured his heart and soul into his collection, amassing tattoo drawings, designs, photographs, and artifacts from around the world. Each of the books five chapters featuresmany never-before-seen highlights from this collectionand includes lithographs, etchings, tattooing instruments, paintings, photographs, posters, shop signs, original drawings, and tattoo designs known in the business as flash, among themextremely rare vintage flash sheetsfrom major players in early Western tattooing. Thevastness and variety of tattooing around the worldis chronicled in the books700+ images, including the indigenous tattooing of the Mori and South Pacific islanders, the ancient traditions of Asia, and the origins of old-school Western tattooing in Europe and the United States. The book also featuresa dozen original illustrations by Schiffmacherin his inimitable style, as well as a personal introduction describing Schiffmachers own journey as both an artist and a collector that has shaped his view of the arts journey from the underground to the mainstream.

Schiffmacher brings afascinating perspectiveto tattoo history through hispersonal reflections and wild tales of adventure. In this book, we learn not only about the history of tattooing, but also about the adventures behind the making of one of the largest tattoo collections in the world, by a self-taught tattoo artist in love with the art and its innovators.