Tattoo Stencil, 1915-1950

01

Artifact Overview

Tattoos communicate stories. Their content ranges from deeply personal and traditional--to regrettable and frivolous. In the early 1900s, "Professor" Waters apprenticed as a tattoo artist in carnivals and New York's Bowery District. He ran a successful supply shop in Detroit (1918-1939), patenting the standard "two-coil" tattoo machine in 1929. Designs from his flash sheets continue to inspire tattooists today.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Stencil (image)

Date Made

1915-1950

Creator Notes

Possibly created by Percy Waters in Detroit, Michigan or Anniston, Alabama.

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

80.63.7

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 16 in
Width: 12.5 in