Gus Wagner: Globe Trotter and Hand Tattoo Artist

Augustus "Gus" Wagner was a hand tattoo artist from the 1890s to the 1930s, learning from tribesmen in Java and Borneo and promoting himself as "the most artistically marked-up man in America." This book explores his life and work, including over 100 examples of his tattoo flash and photos of his life and work. It also includes excerpts from Herman Melville's novels to illuminate the context of the oral history of Gus Wagner.

Format: Hardback
Length: 128 pages
Publication date: 15 December 2023
Publisher: Schiffer Publishing Ltd

Augustus "Gus" Wagner, a renowned hand tattoo artist, lived a fascinating life from the 1890s to the 1930s, a relatively unknown area of American art history. In 1897, Wagner embarked on a four-year career as a merchant seaman, during which he discovered the art of tattooing while traveling the world. He learned from tribesmen in Java and Borneo, using traditional handmade tools to create intricate designs. By 1901, Wagner had reportedly acquired over 264 tattoos of his own, earning him the title of "the most artistically marked-up man in America."

Back home, Wagner embarked on a 40-year career as a traveling tattooist, tattooed man, and circus performer. He shunned the new electric tattooing machines that transformed the art form after 1890, preferring to stick to his handheld instruments. Alongside other wandering artists, Wagner brought tattooing inland from coastal ports, making it part of the culture of small-town America in the 20th century.

This book offers a comprehensive visual history of Wagner's life and work, featuring over 100 examples of his tattoo flash and photos of his life and work. It also includes excerpts from interviews with Wagner, allowing him to tell his story in his own words. Additionally, selected passages from Herman Melville's novels, Typee, White Jacket, and Moby Dick, provide insight into the context of the oral history of Wagner, as Melville was an astute observer of hand tattoo artists and their clientele.

The tattoo flash in this book showcases the richness of Wagner's image vocabulary, his life, and his artistic influences. It is the first in a series of three books exploring the Last of the Hand Tattoo Artists. The next two books will focus on Wagner's wife, Maud, and their daughter, Lovetta, who were also renowned hand tattoo artists in their own right.

Wagner's journey as a hand tattoo artist was a testament to his dedication to the art form and his ability to adapt to changing times. His legacy continues to inspire and influence tattoo artists today, and his work remains a significant part of American art history.

Weight: 882g
Dimension: 286 x 239 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780764367281