Alan Govenar - Gus Wagner: Globe Trotter and Hand Tattoo Artist
This book showcases more than 100 examples of Gus's tattoo flash, historical photos of his life & work, handmade tattoo machines, and excerpts from interviews about his life.
A visual history of the life of Augustus “Gus” Wagner and his work as a hand tattoo artist, exploring a relatively unknown area of American art history from the 1890s to the 1930s.
In 1897, Gus embarked on a four-year career as a merchant seaman. While traveling the world, he discovered the art of tattooing, learning to tattoo from tribesmen in Java and Borneo who showed him how to use traditional handmade tools. By 1901, Gus reportedly had 264 tattoos of his own (and over 800 by 1908), allowing him to promote himself as “the most artistically marked-up man in America.” Back home, Gus embarked on a 40-year career as a traveling tattooist, tattooed man, and circus performer.
• more than 100 examples of Gus Wagner’s tattoo flash as well as photos of his life and work, including his handheld tattooing tools;
• excerpts from interviews with Gus, telling his story in his own words; and
• selected passages from three of Herman Melville’s novels—Typee, White Jacket, and Moby Dick, to illuminate the context of the oral history of Gus Wagner; Melville was an astute observer of hand tattoo artists and their clientele.
128pgs - Hard Cover
11" x 8.5" Old School Tattoo Flash & Photos
This book showcases more than 100 examples of Gus's tattoo flash, historical photos of his life & work, handmade tattoo machines, and excerpts from interviews about his life.
A visual history of the life of Augustus “Gus” Wagner and his work as a hand tattoo artist, exploring a relatively unknown area of American art history from the 1890s to the 1930s.
In 1897, Gus embarked on a four-year career as a merchant seaman. While traveling the world, he discovered the art of tattooing, learning to tattoo from tribesmen in Java and Borneo who showed him how to use traditional handmade tools. By 1901, Gus reportedly had 264 tattoos of his own (and over 800 by 1908), allowing him to promote himself as “the most artistically marked-up man in America.” Back home, Gus embarked on a 40-year career as a traveling tattooist, tattooed man, and circus performer.
• more than 100 examples of Gus Wagner’s tattoo flash as well as photos of his life and work, including his handheld tattooing tools;
• excerpts from interviews with Gus, telling his story in his own words; and
• selected passages from three of Herman Melville’s novels—Typee, White Jacket, and Moby Dick, to illuminate the context of the oral history of Gus Wagner; Melville was an astute observer of hand tattoo artists and their clientele.
128pgs - Hard Cover
11" x 8.5" Old School Tattoo Flash & Photos
This book showcases more than 100 examples of Gus's tattoo flash, historical photos of his life & work, handmade tattoo machines, and excerpts from interviews about his life.
A visual history of the life of Augustus “Gus” Wagner and his work as a hand tattoo artist, exploring a relatively unknown area of American art history from the 1890s to the 1930s.
In 1897, Gus embarked on a four-year career as a merchant seaman. While traveling the world, he discovered the art of tattooing, learning to tattoo from tribesmen in Java and Borneo who showed him how to use traditional handmade tools. By 1901, Gus reportedly had 264 tattoos of his own (and over 800 by 1908), allowing him to promote himself as “the most artistically marked-up man in America.” Back home, Gus embarked on a 40-year career as a traveling tattooist, tattooed man, and circus performer.
• more than 100 examples of Gus Wagner’s tattoo flash as well as photos of his life and work, including his handheld tattooing tools;
• excerpts from interviews with Gus, telling his story in his own words; and
• selected passages from three of Herman Melville’s novels—Typee, White Jacket, and Moby Dick, to illuminate the context of the oral history of Gus Wagner; Melville was an astute observer of hand tattoo artists and their clientele.
128pgs - Hard Cover
11" x 8.5" Old School Tattoo Flash & Photos
