Tattooed Lady

Tattoos:  a form of self expression going back to Ötzi and probably beyond, considered by some cultures to be sacred art, and in others a taboo.

Here's to some gals who blazed the trail for the modern day Tattoo Lady...

Ever seen the television show 'Hell on Wheels'?  It's a good one and Vague recommend viewing.  If you do catch an episode, you'll notice a character who's appearance is based on our first lady, here:

{above:  Olive Oatman, 1858. After her family was killed by Yavapais Indians, on a trip West in the eighteen-fifties, she was adopted and raised by Mohave Indians, who gave her a traditional tribal tattoo. When she was ransomed back, at age nineteen, she became a celebrity. -via }

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{ Nora Hildebrandt, circa 1880s; she was America's first tattooed circus attraction, taking her cue from Olive Oatman and claiming to have been kidnapped and forcibly tattooed by savage natives. }

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{ Maud Wagner, c.1911; first tattoo artist in the U.S.  Looks like she's got a couple kills under her belt..}

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{ Anna Mae Burlington Gibbons, c1920s; circus attraction and touring artist with hubby Charles (Chas.).  Those leg pieces are super impressive.   }

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{ Bobbie Libarry, 1976. [P]hotographed by Imogen Cunningham. Libarry was an attraction turned tattooist in San Francisco. The ninety-three-year-old Cunningham, who photographed the eighty-three-year-old Libarry in a hospital, thought this was one of her best portraits. It was also one of her last, taken just months before she died. -via }

• all photos and info via the New Yorker's A Secret History of Women and Tattoo, January 16, 2013. •

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... and because it just wouldn't be fair to deny our brothers in ink:  here are a few of them, too.

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Ghastly, grim and ancient..

It's October, which means it's our favorite time of year-- the haunting season.

Here are some spooky findings from days gone by...

(Some photos may be best suited for the brave of heart... 
or mature of eye.)

{ above:  Victorian Batman. }

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{ above:  Some Victorian photographers liked to offer "headless" photos. }

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{ two cats embrace on a 1920s postcard. }

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{ dangerous curves ahead:  Mae West in one of her costumes. }

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{ Atelier Manassè ,ca.1930 }

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{ batgirl in the 1930s }

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{ after the famous 1930s fire at Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum in London. }

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{ behind the scenes on the set of Frankenstein, 1930s. }

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{ President John F. Kennedy greets trick-or-treaters in the Oval Office; early 1960s. }

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 { a contemporary Druid in England, circa late 1960s. }

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{ First Lady Betty Ford sets up a Halloween prank in the White House to surprise her husband; 1974. }

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{ 'Lady with a Crow'; contemporary photo by Efimov Bros. }

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{ photo by  Juna Helminer. }

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{ some things are not what they seem... like this photo by liammm. }

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PHOTO SHOOT: 19.MAY.14

Today!

{ Cute as a goll dang button!  Babydoll dress with velveteen collar, buttons and bows; 1980s. }

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{ The sophistication of it all! LBD with embroidered florals that bring to mind the cosmos... 1950s.}

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{ Ssssssizzle! Strapless cocktail cage dress with sheer celtic knot detailed panels. 1950s/60s. }

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{ So Lady Mary!  Stunning Edwardian gown with sheer lace panels, collar, waist and cuffs; 1910s. }

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{ Superjazz. Glam gown in sequins and chiffon; 1970s/80s. }

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{ Adorable asymmetrical mod cotton frock with tiny floral print; 1960s. }

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{ Green shift with gold studs! 1960s. }

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{ Pretty in periwinkle! A lovely floral dress with super cute details; 1960s. }

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{ ENTER THE SHOP }

tags: antique, clothing, dress, vague, vintage, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s