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Alan Govenar

Stoney Knows How: Life as a Sideshow Tattoo Artist, 3rd Edition

Stoney Knows How: Life as a Sideshow Tattoo Artist, 3rd Edition

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  • More about Stoney Knows How: Life as a Sideshow Tattoo Artist, 3rd Edition

Stoney St. Clair, a circus performer turned tattoo artist, shares his life story in this updated edition, featuring photos, tattoo flash, and his own words. Born with rheumatoid arthritis, he pursued his passion for drawing and joined the circus at 15. Despite his disability, he became a skilled tattoo artist, traveling with the circus and setting up tattoo shops in Tampa and Columbus. He worked with notable figures and was known for his ebullient personality and bizarre stories.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 27 January 2023
Publisher: Schiffer Publishing Ltd


Stoney St. Clair, a circus performer turned tattoo artist, has been captured in a captivating new edition of his life. This updated edition features a blend of stunning photos, tattoo flash, and his own words, curated by writer and filmmaker Alan Govenar. Born Leonard St. Clair in 1912 in West Virginia, Stoney's journey began when he discovered his passion for drawing while receiving treatment for rheumatoid arthritis at Johns Hopkins. Despite his physical limitations, he bravely joined the circus at the age of 15 as a sword swallower, and later honed his tattooing skills from fellow circus performers.

Stoney's remarkable life took him on a journey that spanned from traveling with the circus to setting up tattoo shops in Tampa and Columbus. During his time in the circus, he had the opportunity to meet, tattoo, and work with some of the greatest names in the industry. Vincent Canby, writing in the New York Times, described Stoney as an ebullient little man with a contagious personality and a wealth of bizarre stories about tattooing and unrelated matters.

Through his words and photographs, Stoney St. Clair's extraordinary life shines brightly, showcasing his resilience, creativity, and unwavering spirit. This updated edition is a testament to the enduring legacy of a man who defied expectations and left an indelible mark on the world of tattooing.


Dimension: 279 x 216 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780764364006

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