top of page
INDUCTEES:
Tony "the Pirate" Cambria
our 1st inductee and exhibit
Tony "The Pirate" Cambria
aka Tony Tattoo
Tony started tattooing in the mid 50s in Ny in the bowery along side Moskowitz brothers
In the wake of these circumstances and other happenings, the Moskowitz brothers sensed impending trouble for tattoo artists. In 1959, they started tattooing a couple days a week in a rented backroom in Farmingdale, Long Island, preparing for the inevitable blow. It came a few years later, in 1961, closing the final chapter in Bowery tattoo history. In November of 1961, ten months after their father Willy Moskowitz died, the New York City Board of Health announced the closure of tattoo shops due to an outbreak of hepatitis they blamed on tattoo artists. The situation quickly escalated into a push for a permanent ban, prompting incensed tattoo artists throughout the city to pull together and protect their livelihood.
Stanley Farber, who was then set up on Flatbush Street in Brooklyn—where he had variously employed Tony Polito, Tony “The Pirate” Cambria, and Jack Dracula—submitted a petition later pursued by Stan and Walter. Eventually, tattoo artists “Coney Island” Freddie Grossman and Eddie Funk filed a lawsuit against the Board of Health. Because of their efforts, in 1963, the ban was overturned and declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Unfortunately, the verdict was appealed. In 1966, the final legal decision resulted in a ban that lasted until 1997.
Tony then moved to newark nj for a few years and then wound up in monmouth county nj. where he had his shop in keansburg nj. tony stayed there till i believe the late 1990s. and then moved to va and his son anthony cambria would be by his side till his passing aug 16,2021...
Tony was a legend in our industry he created the tony the pirate tattoo machine as well as taught so many artist the trade over the years. If you truly knew tony like i did he always had a funny story or was always up to something.. tony is missed and loved by so many of us
Tony "The Pirate" Cambria
aka Tony Tattoo
Tony started tattooing in the mid 50s in Ny in the bowery along side Moskowitz brothers
In the wake of these circumstances and other happenings, the Moskowitz brothers sensed impending trouble for tattoo artists. In 1959, they started tattooing a couple days a week in a rented backroom in Farmingdale, Long Island, preparing for the inevitable blow. It came a few years later, in 1961, closing the final chapter in Bowery tattoo history. In November of 1961, ten months after their father Willy Moskowitz died, the New York City Board of Health announced the closure of tattoo shops due to an outbreak of hepatitis they blamed on tattoo artists. The situation quickly escalated into a push for a permanent ban, prompting incensed tattoo artists throughout the city to pull together and protect their livelihood.
Stanley Farber, who was then set up on Flatbush Street in Brooklyn—where he had variously employed Tony Polito, Tony “The Pirate” Cambria, and Jack Dracula—submitted a petition later pursued by Stan and Walter. Eventually, tattoo artists “Coney Island” Freddie Grossman and Eddie Funk filed a lawsuit against the Board of Health. Because of their efforts, in 1963, the ban was overturned and declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Unfortunately, the verdict was appealed. In 1966, the final legal decision resulted in a ban that lasted until 1997.
Tony then moved to newark nj for a few years and then wound up in monmouth county nj. where he had his shop in keansburg nj. tony stayed there till i believe the late 1990s. and then moved to va and his son anthony cambria would be by his side till his passing aug 16,2021...
Tony was a legend in our industry he created the tony the pirate tattoo machine as well as taught so many artist the trade over the years. If you truly knew tony like i did he always had a funny story or was always up to something.. tony is missed and loved by so many of us
Tony "the Pirate" Cambria
our 1st inductee and exhibit
Tony "The Pirate" Cambria
aka Tony Tattoo
Tony started tattooing in the mid 50s in Ny in the bowery along side Moskowitz brothers
In the wake of these circumstances and other happenings, the Moskowitz brothers sensed impending trouble for tattoo artists. In 1959, they started tattooing a couple days a week in a rented backroom in Farmingdale, Long Island, preparing for the inevitable blow. It came a few years later, in 1961, closing the final chapter in Bowery tattoo history. In November of 1961, ten months after their father Willy Moskowitz died, the New York City Board of Health announced the closure of tattoo shops due to an outbreak of hepatitis they blamed on tattoo artists. The situation quickly escalated into a push for a permanent ban, prompting incensed tattoo artists throughout the city to pull together and protect their livelihood.
Stanley Farber, who was then set up on Flatbush Street in Brooklyn—where he had variously employed Tony Polito, Tony “The Pirate” Cambria, and Jack Dracula—submitted a petition later pursued by Stan and Walter. Eventually, tattoo artists “Coney Island” Freddie Grossman and Eddie Funk filed a lawsuit against the Board of Health. Because of their efforts, in 1963, the ban was overturned and declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Unfortunately, the verdict was appealed. In 1966, the final legal decision resulted in a ban that lasted until 1997.
Tony then moved to newark nj for a few years and then wound up in monmouth county nj. where he had his shop in keansburg nj. tony stayed there till i believe the late 1990s. and then moved to va and his son anthony cambria would be by his side till his passing aug 16,2021...
Tony was a legend in our industry he created the tony the pirate tattoo machine as well as taught so many artist the trade over the years. If you truly knew tony like i did he always had a funny story or was always up to something.. tony is missed and loved by so many of us
Tony "The Pirate" Cambria
aka Tony Tattoo
Tony started tattooing in the mid 50s in Ny in the bowery along side Moskowitz brothers
In the wake of these circumstances and other happenings, the Moskowitz brothers sensed impending trouble for tattoo artists. In 1959, they started tattooing a couple days a week in a rented backroom in Farmingdale, Long Island, preparing for the inevitable blow. It came a few years later, in 1961, closing the final chapter in Bowery tattoo history. In November of 1961, ten months after their father Willy Moskowitz died, the New York City Board of Health announced the closure of tattoo shops due to an outbreak of hepatitis they blamed on tattoo artists. The situation quickly escalated into a push for a permanent ban, prompting incensed tattoo artists throughout the city to pull together and protect their livelihood.
Stanley Farber, who was then set up on Flatbush Street in Brooklyn—where he had variously employed Tony Polito, Tony “The Pirate” Cambria, and Jack Dracula—submitted a petition later pursued by Stan and Walter. Eventually, tattoo artists “Coney Island” Freddie Grossman and Eddie Funk filed a lawsuit against the Board of Health. Because of their efforts, in 1963, the ban was overturned and declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Unfortunately, the verdict was appealed. In 1966, the final legal decision resulted in a ban that lasted until 1997.
Tony then moved to newark nj for a few years and then wound up in monmouth county nj. where he had his shop in keansburg nj. tony stayed there till i believe the late 1990s. and then moved to va and his son anthony cambria would be by his side till his passing aug 16,2021...
Tony was a legend in our industry he created the tony the pirate tattoo machine as well as taught so many artist the trade over the years. If you truly knew tony like i did he always had a funny story or was always up to something.. tony is missed and loved by so many of us
Tony "the Pirate" Cambria
our 1st inductee and exhibit
Tony "The Pirate" Cambria
aka Tony Tattoo
Tony started tattooing in the mid 50s in Ny in the bowery along side Moskowitz brothers
In the wake of these circumstances and other happenings, the Moskowitz brothers sensed impending trouble for tattoo artists. In 1959, they started tattooing a couple days a week in a rented backroom in Farmingdale, Long Island, preparing for the inevitable blow. It came a few years later, in 1961, closing the final chapter in Bowery tattoo history. In November of 1961, ten months after their father Willy Moskowitz died, the New York City Board of Health announced the closure of tattoo shops due to an outbreak of hepatitis they blamed on tattoo artists. The situation quickly escalated into a push for a permanent ban, prompting incensed tattoo artists throughout the city to pull together and protect their livelihood.
Stanley Farber, who was then set up on Flatbush Street in Brooklyn—where he had variously employed Tony Polito, Tony “The Pirate” Cambria, and Jack Dracula—submitted a petition later pursued by Stan and Walter. Eventually, tattoo artists “Coney Island” Freddie Grossman and Eddie Funk filed a lawsuit against the Board of Health. Because of their efforts, in 1963, the ban was overturned and declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Unfortunately, the verdict was appealed. In 1966, the final legal decision resulted in a ban that lasted until 1997.
Tony then moved to newark nj for a few years and then wound up in monmouth county nj. where he had his shop in keansburg nj. tony stayed there till i believe the late 1990s. and then moved to va and his son anthony cambria would be by his side till his passing aug 16,2021...
Tony was a legend in our industry he created the tony the pirate tattoo machine as well as taught so many artist the trade over the years. If you truly knew tony like i did he always had a funny story or was always up to something.. tony is missed and loved by so many of us
Tony "The Pirate" Cambria
aka Tony Tattoo
Tony started tattooing in the mid 50s in Ny in the bowery along side Moskowitz brothers
In the wake of these circumstances and other happenings, the Moskowitz brothers sensed impending trouble for tattoo artists. In 1959, they started tattooing a couple days a week in a rented backroom in Farmingdale, Long Island, preparing for the inevitable blow. It came a few years later, in 1961, closing the final chapter in Bowery tattoo history. In November of 1961, ten months after their father Willy Moskowitz died, the New York City Board of Health announced the closure of tattoo shops due to an outbreak of hepatitis they blamed on tattoo artists. The situation quickly escalated into a push for a permanent ban, prompting incensed tattoo artists throughout the city to pull together and protect their livelihood.
Stanley Farber, who was then set up on Flatbush Street in Brooklyn—where he had variously employed Tony Polito, Tony “The Pirate” Cambria, and Jack Dracula—submitted a petition later pursued by Stan and Walter. Eventually, tattoo artists “Coney Island” Freddie Grossman and Eddie Funk filed a lawsuit against the Board of Health. Because of their efforts, in 1963, the ban was overturned and declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Unfortunately, the verdict was appealed. In 1966, the final legal decision resulted in a ban that lasted until 1997.
Tony then moved to newark nj for a few years and then wound up in monmouth county nj. where he had his shop in keansburg nj. tony stayed there till i believe the late 1990s. and then moved to va and his son anthony cambria would be by his side till his passing aug 16,2021...
Tony was a legend in our industry he created the tony the pirate tattoo machine as well as taught so many artist the trade over the years. If you truly knew tony like i did he always had a funny story or was always up to something.. tony is missed and loved by so many of us
relighting history
slowly working on the museum I got a great start at it.. launching it with Tony "The Pirate" Cambria was great..wait till you see who pops up tomorow. One of my friends ive tattooed with for years is helping me out with some info so stay tuned we got some great things in store for you and working on bringing back some great tattoo memories..
Do you know where the Tattoo Museum Of The Jersey Shore is located well you have to look for the sign !!!!
Located at
73 memorial pkwy
atlantic highlands nj..
and the sign is part of nj tattoo history originally hung over Genes Body Art World In asbury park nj in the 1970s-2000.. tony purchased the sign and now proudy displayed on the front of my building.. so stop by and keep and eye out ive got alot of tattoo history to post..
ty everyone for all the support
Do you know where the Tattoo Museum Of The Jersey Shore is located well you have to look for the sign !!!!
Located at
73 memorial pkwy
atlantic highlands nj..
and the sign is part of nj tattoo history originally hung over Genes Body Art World In asbury park nj in the 1970s-2000.. tony purchased the sign and now proudy displayed on the front of my building.. so stop by and keep and eye out ive got alot of tattoo history to post..
ty everyone for all the support
Andy Keator
Andy Keator
I don't have a lot of info on Andy but here's what I know.
Let's talk machine builders you have Roger's,Carafa,Coleman,zeis just to name a few.
Andy Keator was out of Belford nj. I knew Andy along time and you would never think he was into tattoos let along building machines and tattoo supplies. You would drive down hwy 36 and see a little yard sign that said tattoo equipment for sale on the corner of this blue house little did you know who you would be buy equipment from.
From what I know Andy and tony Cambria worked together building machines and equipment at Tony's shop and one day tony and Andy had a falling out.
So Andy decided to make some design changes on the machines that him and tony had been building and Andy created the star tattoo machine and star tattoo equipment. Little did Andy know the impact his equipment would have. My first machine was a star machine it's actually the one with this pic.
Sadly many years ago Andy passed away and never got to see what an impact he had made. I for one cherrish the memories and times I got to spend with him in his basement. And hold his equipment right up there with anyone else's. I have a few stars and just recently acquired one of Andy's power supplies from my good friend George morales.
Years and years later Wes of unimax purchase the rights to the star machine and sells a nice star machine but it's no Andy's I'm blessed I have what I have
Miss you my old friend
I don't have a lot of info on Andy but here's what I know.
Let's talk machine builders you have Roger's,Carafa,Coleman,zeis just to name a few.
Andy Keator was out of Belford nj. I knew Andy along time and you would never think he was into tattoos let along building machines and tattoo supplies. You would drive down hwy 36 and see a little yard sign that said tattoo equipment for sale on the corner of this blue house little did you know who you would be buy equipment from.
From what I know Andy and tony Cambria worked together building machines and equipment at Tony's shop and one day tony and Andy had a falling out.
So Andy decided to make some design changes on the machines that him and tony had been building and Andy created the star tattoo machine and star tattoo equipment. Little did Andy know the impact his equipment would have. My first machine was a star machine it's actually the one with this pic.
Sadly many years ago Andy passed away and never got to see what an impact he had made. I for one cherrish the memories and times I got to spend with him in his basement. And hold his equipment right up there with anyone else's. I have a few stars and just recently acquired one of Andy's power supplies from my good friend George morales.
Years and years later Wes of unimax purchase the rights to the star machine and sells a nice star machine but it's no Andy's I'm blessed I have what I have
Miss you my old friend
Gene Bernardo
Gene Bernardo
nov 26,1945
Gene was born in Brooklyn ny. I honestly dont know alot about Genes childhood but i do know what i learned from working for him and over the years.
Gene was originally a plumber by trade at some point wich Story has it, he took his 2nd wife to get a tattoo, gene was in his late 20's. When the guy said $60 for a small rose Gene said fuck plumbing! And got into tattooing. He started in 1972, with his then best friend Jackie Jamenson. Gene discovered tattooing and created a passion for the art.
I do know that gene opened his first studio in Asbury Park Nj in the early 70s. where tattooing then was alot different then it is now thats for sure.
Over the years Genes Shop Known as Genes Body Artworld would Grow like a wild fire. Gene Was part of The Nation Tattoo Association for many years and became a dominate force on in nj for the shops and who he was. Nobody opened as shop anywhere around him back in the day..
Gene would go on to owning multiple tattoo shops along the way and employee and show artist the ropes for years to come..
Genes shops were locates Asbury Park,Long Branch,Toms River,Seaside,Manahawkin,wrightstown,Trenton,Staten Island and at one point they say gene had a tattoo shop in Puerto Rico well that was me tattooing out there..
Gene had so many artist working for him back in the day Myself,Rebel,Tommy Beerman,Mike Mike Schweigert,Tom Yak,George Morales turtle,Billy wet willy,Jack Nuggent, Dj Ackerman,Dezo just to name a few
Gene was well know for tattooing our old friend Scotty "BamBam" Bigelows head just to name one of god knows how many people gene tattooed over the course of his carrer..
Gene did do alot for so many artist over the years and th tattoo community in nj..I for one am Grateful for the years and knowledge i got from him over the years..
sadly Gene passed aug 7,2005 he for sure left his mark in the tattoo world.
nov 26,1945
Gene was born in Brooklyn ny. I honestly dont know alot about Genes childhood but i do know what i learned from working for him and over the years.
Gene was originally a plumber by trade at some point wich Story has it, he took his 2nd wife to get a tattoo, gene was in his late 20's. When the guy said $60 for a small rose Gene said fuck plumbing! And got into tattooing. He started in 1972, with his then best friend Jackie Jamenson. Gene discovered tattooing and created a passion for the art.
I do know that gene opened his first studio in Asbury Park Nj in the early 70s. where tattooing then was alot different then it is now thats for sure.
Over the years Genes Shop Known as Genes Body Artworld would Grow like a wild fire. Gene Was part of The Nation Tattoo Association for many years and became a dominate force on in nj for the shops and who he was. Nobody opened as shop anywhere around him back in the day..
Gene would go on to owning multiple tattoo shops along the way and employee and show artist the ropes for years to come..
Genes shops were locates Asbury Park,Long Branch,Toms River,Seaside,Manahawkin,wrightstown,Trenton,Staten Island and at one point they say gene had a tattoo shop in Puerto Rico well that was me tattooing out there..
Gene had so many artist working for him back in the day Myself,Rebel,Tommy Beerman,Mike Mike Schweigert,Tom Yak,George Morales turtle,Billy wet willy,Jack Nuggent, Dj Ackerman,Dezo just to name a few
Gene was well know for tattooing our old friend Scotty "BamBam" Bigelows head just to name one of god knows how many people gene tattooed over the course of his carrer..
Gene did do alot for so many artist over the years and th tattoo community in nj..I for one am Grateful for the years and knowledge i got from him over the years..
sadly Gene passed aug 7,2005 he for sure left his mark in the tattoo world.
Gene Bernardo
Gene Bernardo
nov 26,1945
Gene was born in Brooklyn ny. I honestly dont know alot about Genes childhood but i do know what i learned from working for him and over the years.
Gene was originally a plumber by trade at some point wich Story has it, he took his 2nd wife to get a tattoo, gene was in his late 20's. When the guy said $60 for a small rose Gene said fuck plumbing! And got into tattooing. He started in 1972, with his then best friend Jackie Jamenson. Gene discovered tattooing and created a passion for the art.
I do know that gene opened his first studio in Asbury Park Nj in the early 70s. where tattooing then was alot different then it is now thats for sure.
Over the years Genes Shop Known as Genes Body Artworld would Grow like a wild fire. Gene Was part of The Nation Tattoo Association for many years and became a dominate force on in nj for the shops and who he was. Nobody opened as shop anywhere around him back in the day..
Gene would go on to owning multiple tattoo shops along the way and employee and show artist the ropes for years to come..
Genes shops were locates Asbury Park,Long Branch,Toms River,Seaside,Manahawkin,wrightstown,Trenton,Staten Island and at one point they say gene had a tattoo shop in Puerto Rico well that was me tattooing out there..
Gene had so many artist working for him back in the day Myself,Rebel,Tommy Beerman,Mike Mike Schweigert,Tom Yak,George Morales turtle,Billy wet willy,Jack Nuggent, Dj Ackerman,Dezo just to name a few
Gene was well know for tattooing our old friend Scotty "BamBam" Bigelows head just to name one of god knows how many people gene tattooed over the course of his carrer..
Gene did do alot for so many artist over the years and th tattoo community in nj..I for one am Grateful for the years and knowledge i got from him over the years..
sadly Gene passed aug 7,2005 he for sure left his mark in the tattoo world.
nov 26,1945
Gene was born in Brooklyn ny. I honestly dont know alot about Genes childhood but i do know what i learned from working for him and over the years.
Gene was originally a plumber by trade at some point wich Story has it, he took his 2nd wife to get a tattoo, gene was in his late 20's. When the guy said $60 for a small rose Gene said fuck plumbing! And got into tattooing. He started in 1972, with his then best friend Jackie Jamenson. Gene discovered tattooing and created a passion for the art.
I do know that gene opened his first studio in Asbury Park Nj in the early 70s. where tattooing then was alot different then it is now thats for sure.
Over the years Genes Shop Known as Genes Body Artworld would Grow like a wild fire. Gene Was part of The Nation Tattoo Association for many years and became a dominate force on in nj for the shops and who he was. Nobody opened as shop anywhere around him back in the day..
Gene would go on to owning multiple tattoo shops along the way and employee and show artist the ropes for years to come..
Genes shops were locates Asbury Park,Long Branch,Toms River,Seaside,Manahawkin,wrightstown,Trenton,Staten Island and at one point they say gene had a tattoo shop in Puerto Rico well that was me tattooing out there..
Gene had so many artist working for him back in the day Myself,Rebel,Tommy Beerman,Mike Mike Schweigert,Tom Yak,George Morales turtle,Billy wet willy,Jack Nuggent, Dj Ackerman,Dezo just to name a few
Gene was well know for tattooing our old friend Scotty "BamBam" Bigelows head just to name one of god knows how many people gene tattooed over the course of his carrer..
Gene did do alot for so many artist over the years and th tattoo community in nj..I for one am Grateful for the years and knowledge i got from him over the years..
sadly Gene passed aug 7,2005 he for sure left his mark in the tattoo world.
Gene Bernardo
Gene Bernardo
nov 26,1945
Gene was born in Brooklyn ny. I honestly dont know alot about Genes childhood but i do know what i learned from working for him and over the years.
Gene was originally a plumber by trade at some point wich Story has it, he took his 2nd wife to get a tattoo, gene was in his late 20's. When the guy said $60 for a small rose Gene said fuck plumbing! And got into tattooing. He started in 1972, with his then best friend Jackie Jamenson. Gene discovered tattooing and created a passion for the art.
I do know that gene opened his first studio in Asbury Park Nj in the early 70s. where tattooing then was alot different then it is now thats for sure.
Over the years Genes Shop Known as Genes Body Artworld would Grow like a wild fire. Gene Was part of The Nation Tattoo Association for many years and became a dominate force on in nj for the shops and who he was. Nobody opened as shop anywhere around him back in the day..
Gene would go on to owning multiple tattoo shops along the way and employee and show artist the ropes for years to come..
Genes shops were locates Asbury Park,Long Branch,Toms River,Seaside,Manahawkin,wrightstown,Trenton,Staten Island and at one point they say gene had a tattoo shop in Puerto Rico well that was me tattooing out there..
Gene had so many artist working for him back in the day Myself,Rebel,Tommy Beerman,Mike Mike Schweigert,Tom Yak,George Morales turtle,Billy wet willy,Jack Nuggent, Dj Ackerman,Dezo just to name a few
Gene was well know for tattooing our old friend Scotty "BamBam" Bigelows head just to name one of god knows how many people gene tattooed over the course of his carrer..
Gene did do alot for so many artist over the years and th tattoo community in nj..I for one am Grateful for the years and knowledge i got from him over the years..
sadly Gene passed aug 7,2005 he for sure left his mark in the tattoo world.
nov 26,1945
Gene was born in Brooklyn ny. I honestly dont know alot about Genes childhood but i do know what i learned from working for him and over the years.
Gene was originally a plumber by trade at some point wich Story has it, he took his 2nd wife to get a tattoo, gene was in his late 20's. When the guy said $60 for a small rose Gene said fuck plumbing! And got into tattooing. He started in 1972, with his then best friend Jackie Jamenson. Gene discovered tattooing and created a passion for the art.
I do know that gene opened his first studio in Asbury Park Nj in the early 70s. where tattooing then was alot different then it is now thats for sure.
Over the years Genes Shop Known as Genes Body Artworld would Grow like a wild fire. Gene Was part of The Nation Tattoo Association for many years and became a dominate force on in nj for the shops and who he was. Nobody opened as shop anywhere around him back in the day..
Gene would go on to owning multiple tattoo shops along the way and employee and show artist the ropes for years to come..
Genes shops were locates Asbury Park,Long Branch,Toms River,Seaside,Manahawkin,wrightstown,Trenton,Staten Island and at one point they say gene had a tattoo shop in Puerto Rico well that was me tattooing out there..
Gene had so many artist working for him back in the day Myself,Rebel,Tommy Beerman,Mike Mike Schweigert,Tom Yak,George Morales turtle,Billy wet willy,Jack Nuggent, Dj Ackerman,Dezo just to name a few
Gene was well know for tattooing our old friend Scotty "BamBam" Bigelows head just to name one of god knows how many people gene tattooed over the course of his carrer..
Gene did do alot for so many artist over the years and th tattoo community in nj..I for one am Grateful for the years and knowledge i got from him over the years..
sadly Gene passed aug 7,2005 he for sure left his mark in the tattoo world.
1970s Genes body art world ft dix
Early 1970s in the Fort Dix Body Art World tattoo shop
The 2 guys on the left = Jacky J far left, Gene Bernardo next to him on the right.
The 2 guys on the left = Jacky J far left, Gene Bernardo next to him on the right.
1976 Garden State Tattoo Club
s nj tattoo history lesson did you know that in 1976 they formered the garden state tattoo club.
that was formed by chris the Greek as prez, jerry Stanton as vp.". and rich piperato as treasure and Tony Lynx e,Eddie Funk,Cgris PespasnErnie White,The Hermit chris and Miss Carolyne .
that was formed by chris the Greek as prez, jerry Stanton as vp.". and rich piperato as treasure and Tony Lynx e,Eddie Funk,Cgris PespasnErnie White,The Hermit chris and Miss Carolyne .
Paula "Pulsating Paula" Grimaldi-Reardon
Pulsating Paula
Paula Grimaldi-Reardon
0ct 17 1954
paula was not a tattoo artist but she was Huge in the tattoo industry. Paula was a nj native who was a photographer not just any photographer. The images she captured over the years marked times and place in true tattoo history.
Paula shot for many magazines back in the day such as tattoo,outlaw tattoo,skin and ink and many many more tattoo biker magazines. Paula was around taking pictures of the tattoo industry long before any social media or interent. Her work speaks volumes especially if your a true old school tattoo artist. If you heard pulsating paula was coming to take pic of your for a magazine you knew she was 100% the real deal.. sadly paula passed away Dec 2019..her pic and work will live forever and she truly caputure the true meaning of tattoo history
miss you my friend
Paula Grimaldi-Reardon
0ct 17 1954
paula was not a tattoo artist but she was Huge in the tattoo industry. Paula was a nj native who was a photographer not just any photographer. The images she captured over the years marked times and place in true tattoo history.
Paula shot for many magazines back in the day such as tattoo,outlaw tattoo,skin and ink and many many more tattoo biker magazines. Paula was around taking pictures of the tattoo industry long before any social media or interent. Her work speaks volumes especially if your a true old school tattoo artist. If you heard pulsating paula was coming to take pic of your for a magazine you knew she was 100% the real deal.. sadly paula passed away Dec 2019..her pic and work will live forever and she truly caputure the true meaning of tattoo history
miss you my friend
Lady Viola
"Lady Viola" - "the most beautiful tattooed woman in the world". Mrs. Ethel Vangi lived in ENGLISHTOWN, NJ for 20 years. She had 365 tattoos, one for each day of the year.
She was a descendant of Daniel Boone and a good friend of Charlie Chaplin.
She was a tattoo artist, and owned a tattoo shop.
Her body tattoos only had blue ink in them, and all her tattoos were in the American design.
She had the Capitol on her back, and a scene from WWI.
She also had six presidents on her chest - George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Herbert Hoover, and on her legs were Jack Dempsey, Charles Lindbergh, Charlie Chaplin, Annie Oakley, and Babe Ruth,
She got her first tattoo at the age of 17.
In the '20s and '30s, she worked for Ringling Brothers, Barnum, and Bailey Circus. She retired in 1977.
When walking around town, she would wear long sleeve shirts and dark stockings. Born 1898 She lived to be 80 years old. A true pioneer of art tattooing. Amazing life she had.
She was a descendant of Daniel Boone and a good friend of Charlie Chaplin.
She was a tattoo artist, and owned a tattoo shop.
Her body tattoos only had blue ink in them, and all her tattoos were in the American design.
She had the Capitol on her back, and a scene from WWI.
She also had six presidents on her chest - George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Herbert Hoover, and on her legs were Jack Dempsey, Charles Lindbergh, Charlie Chaplin, Annie Oakley, and Babe Ruth,
She got her first tattoo at the age of 17.
In the '20s and '30s, she worked for Ringling Brothers, Barnum, and Bailey Circus. She retired in 1977.
When walking around town, she would wear long sleeve shirts and dark stockings. Born 1898 She lived to be 80 years old. A true pioneer of art tattooing. Amazing life she had.
Big Brad Aschenbrand
Big Brad Aschenbrand
born May 6,1949
Brad followed his dream at seventeen years old when he made the decision to drop out of high school to start his career at Joe kaplans shop which was located in the Bronx. He paid his dues over the course of several years before being handed a machine and given the news that he'll be doing the next tattoo that walks in through the door. In those years he got to learn from and observe great artists on a daily basis such as Big Joe himself and Zeke Owens. After several years working as an artist at Big Joe's he opened up his first shop which was located in Mount Kisco, NY. He then moved the shop to Peekskill, NY followed by his last shop which was located in South River, NJ which held it's doors open for thirty years. All three shops held the same name: ''Big Brad's"
Thank you to his son Brad who wrote this bio. If you knew big Brad like I did then you meet a gentle giant among men you are missed Brad
Sadly Brad passed
June 30,2022
born May 6,1949
Brad followed his dream at seventeen years old when he made the decision to drop out of high school to start his career at Joe kaplans shop which was located in the Bronx. He paid his dues over the course of several years before being handed a machine and given the news that he'll be doing the next tattoo that walks in through the door. In those years he got to learn from and observe great artists on a daily basis such as Big Joe himself and Zeke Owens. After several years working as an artist at Big Joe's he opened up his first shop which was located in Mount Kisco, NY. He then moved the shop to Peekskill, NY followed by his last shop which was located in South River, NJ which held it's doors open for thirty years. All three shops held the same name: ''Big Brad's"
Thank you to his son Brad who wrote this bio. If you knew big Brad like I did then you meet a gentle giant among men you are missed Brad
Sadly Brad passed
June 30,2022
Andy Capp
Andy Capp
Born March 31,1961
Andy started his journey in tattooing in 1983 when the ship he was stationed on was sent to Philly for dry doc.He went to Philadelphia Eddie's in Chinatown for a couple of tattoos and shorty after Eddie agreed to show him how to tattoo. Andy was there for 2 years until he finished his enlistment in the navy the he moved back to Jacksonville Fl. Where he was fortunate enough to spend some quality time with inksmith and Roger's he had the opportunity to spend time with Paul Rogers and learn about machine building.
After a couple of years in fl Andy decided to head back up north to his roots nj/ny and was part of the underground tattooing in NY and Staten Island Wich is also when Andy decided to do the "Tattoo Road Tour". Working every possible swap meet,bike run,convention (when they tattoo conventions for more interment and smaller then what people know of tattoo conventions today). Andy meet some really great people along his travels visiting various shops in his journey. He worked unde Spirits&alchemy tattooing during his travels and covered half the country in his travels.
As time went on Andy went to Sullivan county ny for a few years and continued tattooing until 2001 when he came back to nj and worked for a few shops before opening Watching Custom Tattoos in 2014 and had the shop until 2017 where Andy had to close to a decline in his health and need imediaye attention to for hos sickness.after closing the shop and my did a few guest spots and the occasional road trips.
Andy retired from tattooing in 2021 because of his severe case of arthritis and couldn't give 110% of his craft to his clients with out being in pain. Andy had to put down his machines and he truly misses the art of tattooing everyday he hoping for a cure..
I will personally go on and say Andy has been such a big part of the Tattoo Museum Of The Jersey Shore building our cabinets helping me with diplays around the shop I've been friends with Andy along time and I'm proud to call him my friend
Born March 31,1961
Andy started his journey in tattooing in 1983 when the ship he was stationed on was sent to Philly for dry doc.He went to Philadelphia Eddie's in Chinatown for a couple of tattoos and shorty after Eddie agreed to show him how to tattoo. Andy was there for 2 years until he finished his enlistment in the navy the he moved back to Jacksonville Fl. Where he was fortunate enough to spend some quality time with inksmith and Roger's he had the opportunity to spend time with Paul Rogers and learn about machine building.
After a couple of years in fl Andy decided to head back up north to his roots nj/ny and was part of the underground tattooing in NY and Staten Island Wich is also when Andy decided to do the "Tattoo Road Tour". Working every possible swap meet,bike run,convention (when they tattoo conventions for more interment and smaller then what people know of tattoo conventions today). Andy meet some really great people along his travels visiting various shops in his journey. He worked unde Spirits&alchemy tattooing during his travels and covered half the country in his travels.
As time went on Andy went to Sullivan county ny for a few years and continued tattooing until 2001 when he came back to nj and worked for a few shops before opening Watching Custom Tattoos in 2014 and had the shop until 2017 where Andy had to close to a decline in his health and need imediaye attention to for hos sickness.after closing the shop and my did a few guest spots and the occasional road trips.
Andy retired from tattooing in 2021 because of his severe case of arthritis and couldn't give 110% of his craft to his clients with out being in pain. Andy had to put down his machines and he truly misses the art of tattooing everyday he hoping for a cure..
I will personally go on and say Andy has been such a big part of the Tattoo Museum Of The Jersey Shore building our cabinets helping me with diplays around the shop I've been friends with Andy along time and I'm proud to call him my friend
Butch Comer
Butch Comer
Butch started tattooing in 1985 under Len Weber at "east Coast Tattoo" in Bricktown nj
Lenny introduced Butch to folks like Paul Rogers,Ed Hardy,Rollo,Tom devita and Ernie Carafa all who were very special people who guided Butch along the way.
He also worked for Gene Bernardo in asbury and Tom's River at body art world shops before opening his own place in 1991 not far from tony the pirate Cambria . Butchs shop was on highway 36 in Hazlet nj after 5 years Butch moved out of keyport . He moved away to New York in 2001 but returned to New Jersey where he worked for Ernie at tattoo city in point pleasant in 2005 "that was the most fun I ever had in tattooing" said Butch
After the tattoo city fire Butch moved back to my where his lives now and still tattooing . He tattoos at max ink in geneseo ny.. the shop is on face book
Max Ink Tattoos & Piercing
But he's exhibit is a Mickey sharps that he tattooed with in keyport and the other one is a machine Ernie made for him at tattoo city...
I for one have to say it's truly an honor to induct Butch today.. if your in the my area stop by and get tattooed by him
Butch started tattooing in 1985 under Len Weber at "east Coast Tattoo" in Bricktown nj
Lenny introduced Butch to folks like Paul Rogers,Ed Hardy,Rollo,Tom devita and Ernie Carafa all who were very special people who guided Butch along the way.
He also worked for Gene Bernardo in asbury and Tom's River at body art world shops before opening his own place in 1991 not far from tony the pirate Cambria . Butchs shop was on highway 36 in Hazlet nj after 5 years Butch moved out of keyport . He moved away to New York in 2001 but returned to New Jersey where he worked for Ernie at tattoo city in point pleasant in 2005 "that was the most fun I ever had in tattooing" said Butch
After the tattoo city fire Butch moved back to my where his lives now and still tattooing . He tattoos at max ink in geneseo ny.. the shop is on face book
Max Ink Tattoos & Piercing
But he's exhibit is a Mickey sharps that he tattooed with in keyport and the other one is a machine Ernie made for him at tattoo city...
I for one have to say it's truly an honor to induct Butch today.. if your in the my area stop by and get tattooed by him
National Tattoo supply and the NTA
National Tattoo Supply
The national tattoo supply company was in business for 40 plus years. They supplied the best tattoo equipment for professional tattoo artist. They we are part of the National Tattoo Association Wich back in the day they were the elite of the elite in the tattoo business. The nta if I remember correctly and forgive me if I'm wrong here. But nta at one time limited there organization to 1000 artist and you had to be recommended by an artist that was already involved with the nta to even be accepted into the nta.. I for one started with national in 1985 and stayed with the company till the has shut down and is selling the last of there stock.. if your intrested in owning some true tattoo history visit there website www.nationaltatattoo.com and see if they have anything left get it while you can
And ty to Donna and Flo and all the great staff over the years
Tattoo tony
I'm still working on other things for the display
The national tattoo supply company was in business for 40 plus years. They supplied the best tattoo equipment for professional tattoo artist. They we are part of the National Tattoo Association Wich back in the day they were the elite of the elite in the tattoo business. The nta if I remember correctly and forgive me if I'm wrong here. But nta at one time limited there organization to 1000 artist and you had to be recommended by an artist that was already involved with the nta to even be accepted into the nta.. I for one started with national in 1985 and stayed with the company till the has shut down and is selling the last of there stock.. if your intrested in owning some true tattoo history visit there website www.nationaltatattoo.com and see if they have anything left get it while you can
And ty to Donna and Flo and all the great staff over the years
Tattoo tony
I'm still working on other things for the display
Kenny Yates
My old friendKen Yates he was the owner of Destiny tattoo studio in south amboy nj.. I'm waiting for a true bio for Kenny as soon as I get it I will post it. Sadly Ken past away Oct 2016 he's sadly missed by so many of us
Ernie Carafa
My old friend Ernie Carafa
Ernie is a true legend not just in New jersey tattooing but tattooing period.. once i do get the official biography for Ernie I will post it.. but for now here is my exhibits for Ernie and there's still so much more ty for leaving your mark for us to follow Ernie
Ernie is a true legend not just in New jersey tattooing but tattooing period.. once i do get the official biography for Ernie I will post it.. but for now here is my exhibits for Ernie and there's still so much more ty for leaving your mark for us to follow Ernie
Dozer
Dozer's bio
I saw it a very young age originally from New York, born in Harlem raised just outside of Queens. My interest started with tattooing noticing my father, who is a dentist and had his practice in the house. Some of his patients were coming in that were military men that had tattoos. I was already painting at the age of seven and eight it was a hobby that I picked up with my brother. I just love the smell of oil and the way of blending color. I was fascinated with the tattoos. I couldn’t understand how you could see them, but you couldn’t feel them and nor did they wash off. For me at that age it was like painting on skin I had to learn more. In 1976 at the Centennial celebration my father had taken off with his second wife at the time. I had learned the week before that at a tattoo shop opened up not that far from my house. I knew that once he left, I would jump on my bicycle and pedal my ass off until I got to that studio. it was Peter‘s tattoo in Hempstead. They had a great crowd in there working. They were known back then for doing work that other people couldn’t do. The only thing that scared me from going in at first was that all the motircycle club had their bikes parked on the sidewalk, and they were walking in and out of the studio. But once I got past that I was in. I heard the buzzing noise and I saw them tattooing. It was a dream come true. I just found it so fascinating how it could go underneath the tissue and every time they wiped it was there. They finally got tired of me watching after about a half hour or so and they asked me to leave told me not to come back until I was 18. later when I turn 17 I walked back in there with a pizza that was from next-door but then they were only five dollars and change for a whole pie. I gave it to them and they said what’s this for and I said for letting me watch the last time I was there. They thought that was cool and they let me stand there all day long and and but I was never allowed to ask a question. Some of the guys at work but some of the meanest looking people I’ve ever seen to me that just made it even more fun. A woman named Marguerite was the most helpful person I ever met back then she answered my questions and she was very nice about it. Another man named Richie Montgomery was a very big help he later opened up the shop across the street from Belmont racetrack where I started hanging out on a daily basis. And then of course, when I was tired of watching the expert tattoo, I would take a couple of bus rides out to Stanley and Walter shop on sunrise Highway and Sayville and watch how people use the tattoo back then on Bowery back in the day, New York City, the real hub of tattooing where the machine was invented. It was kind of fun watching Stanley and Walter tattoo. You kind of learn basically what not to copy. Don’t get me wrong so we’re nice guys, but they didn’t have the finesse that the younger generation had and the funny part is I’ve been doing it so long now but the younger generation that I looked up to is now the older generation that’s slowly passing away on us. I work for a man in the early 90s called Fox in Pompano Beach Florida, who is one of the best guys I’ve ever worked with. We used to make so much money. Didn’t know what to do with it. He helped me buy my first Harley. That was really the end of my old laid-back lifestyle. I’m now going to be a tattoo biker. Never regretted it. Then came back and worked for Ernie Carafa for a second time the first time was in a late 80s second time was around 94 to 95 until I started getting ready to open up in New York. I left I think 96 opened up my studio and had it for 18 years 10 artist two floors and then I also opened up the first official tattoo, museum of New York. I still find it incredible what I do I still get a big kick out of the fact that I could put these wonderful designs under peoples tissue and they get to carry with them for as long as they live it’s one of the greatest forms of art. It is a craft, but when you turn it into art or something spiritual, it is a whole new meaning that’s the way it started.
I saw it a very young age originally from New York, born in Harlem raised just outside of Queens. My interest started with tattooing noticing my father, who is a dentist and had his practice in the house. Some of his patients were coming in that were military men that had tattoos. I was already painting at the age of seven and eight it was a hobby that I picked up with my brother. I just love the smell of oil and the way of blending color. I was fascinated with the tattoos. I couldn’t understand how you could see them, but you couldn’t feel them and nor did they wash off. For me at that age it was like painting on skin I had to learn more. In 1976 at the Centennial celebration my father had taken off with his second wife at the time. I had learned the week before that at a tattoo shop opened up not that far from my house. I knew that once he left, I would jump on my bicycle and pedal my ass off until I got to that studio. it was Peter‘s tattoo in Hempstead. They had a great crowd in there working. They were known back then for doing work that other people couldn’t do. The only thing that scared me from going in at first was that all the motircycle club had their bikes parked on the sidewalk, and they were walking in and out of the studio. But once I got past that I was in. I heard the buzzing noise and I saw them tattooing. It was a dream come true. I just found it so fascinating how it could go underneath the tissue and every time they wiped it was there. They finally got tired of me watching after about a half hour or so and they asked me to leave told me not to come back until I was 18. later when I turn 17 I walked back in there with a pizza that was from next-door but then they were only five dollars and change for a whole pie. I gave it to them and they said what’s this for and I said for letting me watch the last time I was there. They thought that was cool and they let me stand there all day long and and but I was never allowed to ask a question. Some of the guys at work but some of the meanest looking people I’ve ever seen to me that just made it even more fun. A woman named Marguerite was the most helpful person I ever met back then she answered my questions and she was very nice about it. Another man named Richie Montgomery was a very big help he later opened up the shop across the street from Belmont racetrack where I started hanging out on a daily basis. And then of course, when I was tired of watching the expert tattoo, I would take a couple of bus rides out to Stanley and Walter shop on sunrise Highway and Sayville and watch how people use the tattoo back then on Bowery back in the day, New York City, the real hub of tattooing where the machine was invented. It was kind of fun watching Stanley and Walter tattoo. You kind of learn basically what not to copy. Don’t get me wrong so we’re nice guys, but they didn’t have the finesse that the younger generation had and the funny part is I’ve been doing it so long now but the younger generation that I looked up to is now the older generation that’s slowly passing away on us. I work for a man in the early 90s called Fox in Pompano Beach Florida, who is one of the best guys I’ve ever worked with. We used to make so much money. Didn’t know what to do with it. He helped me buy my first Harley. That was really the end of my old laid-back lifestyle. I’m now going to be a tattoo biker. Never regretted it. Then came back and worked for Ernie Carafa for a second time the first time was in a late 80s second time was around 94 to 95 until I started getting ready to open up in New York. I left I think 96 opened up my studio and had it for 18 years 10 artist two floors and then I also opened up the first official tattoo, museum of New York. I still find it incredible what I do I still get a big kick out of the fact that I could put these wonderful designs under peoples tissue and they get to carry with them for as long as they live it’s one of the greatest forms of art. It is a craft, but when you turn it into art or something spiritual, it is a whole new meaning that’s the way it started.
Jack Armstrong
VERNON ARMSTRONG Vernon "Jack" Armstrong, one of the "world's oldest tattoo artists" finally went home...he passed peacefully in his sleep at the age of 88, Monday, Oct. 29, 2007. Jack lived a big life. There was nothing subdued about him, and it is fitting that he lived out his last days in a town like Vegas, just like he was ... bigger than life. Born to Mr. and Mrs. William Armstrong of Bremerton, Wash., Jack became independent and ventured out on his own at a very early age. "Gypsy" was truly in his blood, as his travels took him back and forth across country and overseas many times through his life. In his travels of adventure, Jack wore many "hats" and touched the lives of at least two generations of people with his overwhelming generosity and love of people. He'd give you his last shirt off his back if needed. His travels never stopped through life bringing him to his final venture through heaven's gates. We believe he is with our Jason McNelis "SME" now, and other tattoo artists who have come and gone, reveling and doing the Irish jig, happy not to be prisoner to his walker or wheelchair anymore, and swapping stories. Jack will be remembered universally ... foremost as one of the "Grandfathers" in the tattoo industry, and one of the founding members of the National Tattoo Association. Making a name for himself as a tattooer and tattoo machine maker, he also became his own "living legend." In May of 1994 was the first "Jack Armstrong Tattoo Convention" in Houston. Jack tattooed for over 70 years to several generations, monitored and apprenticed many, many tattoo artists that are still tattooing today, such as Susie McKamy, who Jack helped open Body Language Tattoo. One of the last shops Jack opened was "One Eyed Jack's." Starborn Tattoo in Vegas is still home to Jack's infamous tattoo banner. Other lucrative ventures of Jack's included being a submariner in WWII as a cook, and he was one of three survivors of one of the torpedoed subs. He was a human cannonball for Barnum & Bailey Circus, a deputy sheriff, shoemaker, taxidermist, Bourbon St. burlesque "Barker" in the 30's, wrestler, motorcycle enthusiast, and in the 60's, a mid-wife. Through all these "hats" he wore, he always practiced tattooing, his first love. Through the depression years, Jack would open his tattoo shops with pots of soup, stew and bread to feed any and all who had nothing. His last unselfish act was to donate his body to the International Institute for the Advancement of Medicine in Vegas. There are books and many articles and interviews published about Jack. Don't forget us Jack, as we will carry you in our hearts and memories forever and a day. I love you my friend. Jack is survived by three sisters; a son; two grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; five nieces; five nephews; 17 great-nieces and nephews; and 3 great-great-nieces and nephews; Marlene Dewy and stepson, Darrell; extended family of James "Cornfed" Singer, Sandi Poyer, Jennifer Poyer, RN, Chynna Singer, McKenzie and Chaz McNelis, Ann Siracuse, Terry Cepeda, Gail and David Swankhouse, Susie McKamy, Todd Levy, Ed Ebborley, Russ Meyers, many friends and tattoo artists, Starborn Tattoo, Body Language Tattoo, and Gulf Coast Tattoo
Sua sulu'apa Paulo II
Sua sulu'apa Paulo II
These tatau tools were made by Sua Sulu'apa Paulo II for his friend Lucas hendrickx for his tattoo museum in Spain and I have had them for some time now.. I am honored to have these..
Su'a Sulu'ape Paulo II (1949 or 1950 – 25 November 1999)[1] was a tufuga ta tatau (master tattooist) born in Matafa'a near Lefaga,[2] Samoa but based in New Zealand since the 1970s.[3] He was born into one of the leading families of tattooists tufuga ta tatau in Samoa. The tattooists in these families, are loosely organized in a guild like system of master and apprentices. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries tufuga ta tatau were known internationally for their culturally distinctive and highly skilled work. The word tattoo is believed to have originated from the word tatau. In Samoan mythology the origin of the tatau is told in a legend about two sisters, Tilafaiga and Taema who brought the tools and knowledge of tattooing to Samoa. The Samoan male tattoo (tatau) is the pe'a. The female tatau is the malu.
Su'a Sulu'ape Paulo II
Paulo was axed to death by his wife, Epifania Sulu'ape, after she learned that he planned to leave her for his Swedish lover, Heidi Hay.[4]
Sulu'ape Paulo's father was Sulu'ape Paulo I, who was a well established tattooist in Samoa. Paulo's brothers Su'a Sulu'ape Petelo, Su'a Sulu'ape Alaiva'a Petelo and Su'a Sulu'ape Lafaele are respected master tattooists today. In his teenage years, Paulo was a student at Chanel College, a Catholic [boarding] school near Apia. He began tattooing in 1967, and migrated to Auckland, New Zealand in 1973. Paulo would work during the day and tattoo in the evenings and on weekends for a growing local Samoan community. He tattooed several prominent Samoans from this community including artist Fatu Feu'u and activist and lawyer Fuimaono Tuiasau. He also tattooed well known New Zealand artist Tony Fomison[5][6] and developed strong connections with Maori, the indigenous people of New Zealand.[7]
International connections
In 1985, Paulo's brother Su'a Sulu'ape Alaiva'a Petelo visited a tattoo convention in Rome at the invitation of American tattooist Don Ed Hardy. Over the next decade, Sulu'ape Paulo followed in his brothers footsteps finding new opportunities to share his work and knowledge in Europe. He developed relationships with tattooists across the world and the family name became known throughout the tattooing conventions in Europe. He did residencies at the Tattoo Museum in Amsterdam at the invitation of tattooist Henk Schiffmacher and received international guests and customers at his home in Auckland.[8] Sulu'ape and his brothers also served a growing Samoan diaspora in New Zealand, Australia and the United States. He was a much celebrated and at times a controversial figure amongst Samoans, mainly for his efforts to innovate in his work and share the art form beyond the Samoan community.[8] Since Paulo's sudden death in 1999, Su'a Sulu'ape Alaiva'a Petelo has maintained and extended the influence of the Sulu'ape family in the Pacific region and internationally. He has been joined by his sons who have also picked up the tools.
In 2009, Su'a Sulu'ape Paulo's life and tattoo work was documented and published in a photographic book Tatau: Samoan Tattoo, New Zealand Art, Global Culture published by Te Papa Press. The book features photographs by New Zealander Mark Adams a close friend of Sulu'ape and observer of his work for close to 30 years. it includes interviews and essays reflecting on his tattooing career.[9]
In November, 1999, Paulo's wife Epifania Sulu'ape clubbed him to death with the blunt edge of an axe after he told her that he planned to leave her for a Swedish lover, Heidi Hay. Sulu'ape's trial was a major media event in New Zealand. She was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 7.5 years in prison.
These tatau tools were made by Sua Sulu'apa Paulo II for his friend Lucas hendrickx for his tattoo museum in Spain and I have had them for some time now.. I am honored to have these..
Su'a Sulu'ape Paulo II (1949 or 1950 – 25 November 1999)[1] was a tufuga ta tatau (master tattooist) born in Matafa'a near Lefaga,[2] Samoa but based in New Zealand since the 1970s.[3] He was born into one of the leading families of tattooists tufuga ta tatau in Samoa. The tattooists in these families, are loosely organized in a guild like system of master and apprentices. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries tufuga ta tatau were known internationally for their culturally distinctive and highly skilled work. The word tattoo is believed to have originated from the word tatau. In Samoan mythology the origin of the tatau is told in a legend about two sisters, Tilafaiga and Taema who brought the tools and knowledge of tattooing to Samoa. The Samoan male tattoo (tatau) is the pe'a. The female tatau is the malu.
Su'a Sulu'ape Paulo II
Paulo was axed to death by his wife, Epifania Sulu'ape, after she learned that he planned to leave her for his Swedish lover, Heidi Hay.[4]
Sulu'ape Paulo's father was Sulu'ape Paulo I, who was a well established tattooist in Samoa. Paulo's brothers Su'a Sulu'ape Petelo, Su'a Sulu'ape Alaiva'a Petelo and Su'a Sulu'ape Lafaele are respected master tattooists today. In his teenage years, Paulo was a student at Chanel College, a Catholic [boarding] school near Apia. He began tattooing in 1967, and migrated to Auckland, New Zealand in 1973. Paulo would work during the day and tattoo in the evenings and on weekends for a growing local Samoan community. He tattooed several prominent Samoans from this community including artist Fatu Feu'u and activist and lawyer Fuimaono Tuiasau. He also tattooed well known New Zealand artist Tony Fomison[5][6] and developed strong connections with Maori, the indigenous people of New Zealand.[7]
International connections
In 1985, Paulo's brother Su'a Sulu'ape Alaiva'a Petelo visited a tattoo convention in Rome at the invitation of American tattooist Don Ed Hardy. Over the next decade, Sulu'ape Paulo followed in his brothers footsteps finding new opportunities to share his work and knowledge in Europe. He developed relationships with tattooists across the world and the family name became known throughout the tattooing conventions in Europe. He did residencies at the Tattoo Museum in Amsterdam at the invitation of tattooist Henk Schiffmacher and received international guests and customers at his home in Auckland.[8] Sulu'ape and his brothers also served a growing Samoan diaspora in New Zealand, Australia and the United States. He was a much celebrated and at times a controversial figure amongst Samoans, mainly for his efforts to innovate in his work and share the art form beyond the Samoan community.[8] Since Paulo's sudden death in 1999, Su'a Sulu'ape Alaiva'a Petelo has maintained and extended the influence of the Sulu'ape family in the Pacific region and internationally. He has been joined by his sons who have also picked up the tools.
In 2009, Su'a Sulu'ape Paulo's life and tattoo work was documented and published in a photographic book Tatau: Samoan Tattoo, New Zealand Art, Global Culture published by Te Papa Press. The book features photographs by New Zealander Mark Adams a close friend of Sulu'ape and observer of his work for close to 30 years. it includes interviews and essays reflecting on his tattooing career.[9]
In November, 1999, Paulo's wife Epifania Sulu'ape clubbed him to death with the blunt edge of an axe after he told her that he planned to leave her for a Swedish lover, Heidi Hay. Sulu'ape's trial was a major media event in New Zealand. She was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 7.5 years in prison.
Samuel "Rebel" Anderson
Samuel Anderson
I don't have a lot of info on rebel.. what I know as a young kid hanging out and working at genes in asbury I looked up to rebel as an artist.. I use to watch him draw and look at all the flash he created and said man one day I'm gonna be like him. He truly was such a huge inspiration to me. Rebel tattooed at genes from the late 80 to early 90s and then disappeared.. some years later I heard he opened a shop in pa called fantasy graphics. one day I went out to go see him and his shop and he never opened that day. I would have love to tell him how much of an influence he was to my career..
if you got tattooed in the 80-90 on the jersey shore you knew who rebel was..
Where ever you are today thanx for being you rebel
I don't have a lot of info on rebel.. what I know as a young kid hanging out and working at genes in asbury I looked up to rebel as an artist.. I use to watch him draw and look at all the flash he created and said man one day I'm gonna be like him. He truly was such a huge inspiration to me. Rebel tattooed at genes from the late 80 to early 90s and then disappeared.. some years later I heard he opened a shop in pa called fantasy graphics. one day I went out to go see him and his shop and he never opened that day. I would have love to tell him how much of an influence he was to my career..
if you got tattooed in the 80-90 on the jersey shore you knew who rebel was..
Where ever you are today thanx for being you rebel
Len Weber
Len Weber
sadly passed away 1994
Len was interested in tattooing since his teens.after highschool he was employed as sign painter and did some commercial art work.
in 1975 he met Thom DeVita and Fred Clouston at Thoms tattoos studio on the lower east side of manhattan and really got turned on to tattooing/ Thom tattooed len and they became good friends with Thom and Freds help and len bought some tattoo equipment and began tattooing at home. he taught himself tattooing by studing pictures of work done by Ed Hardy,Don Nolan,Cliff Raven,bob roberts and various japanese artist.
len started tattooing professionaly in harrison nj with the encouragment from those of the new yorks underground tattoo scene. len found himself working along side Ernie Carafa,Paul Rogers,Mike Malone,Zeke,Hardy and the rest of Guidline tattooing in toms river
he then met jeanie butter who beacame his buisness partner she was a water colorist who taught him about composition,color haremony and design. they both had a great artistic chemistry with there art backrounds. there shop east coast tattoos was located in bricktown nj on chambersbridge road. len and paul rogers were close friends and paul always encouraged len and always had kind words to supprt len and his tattooing career..
i for one personally knew len.. he was an amazing artist and a person if you ever got to meet him you really did meet a true legendary artist you are missed len and today we honor you
sadly passed away 1994
Len was interested in tattooing since his teens.after highschool he was employed as sign painter and did some commercial art work.
in 1975 he met Thom DeVita and Fred Clouston at Thoms tattoos studio on the lower east side of manhattan and really got turned on to tattooing/ Thom tattooed len and they became good friends with Thom and Freds help and len bought some tattoo equipment and began tattooing at home. he taught himself tattooing by studing pictures of work done by Ed Hardy,Don Nolan,Cliff Raven,bob roberts and various japanese artist.
len started tattooing professionaly in harrison nj with the encouragment from those of the new yorks underground tattoo scene. len found himself working along side Ernie Carafa,Paul Rogers,Mike Malone,Zeke,Hardy and the rest of Guidline tattooing in toms river
he then met jeanie butter who beacame his buisness partner she was a water colorist who taught him about composition,color haremony and design. they both had a great artistic chemistry with there art backrounds. there shop east coast tattoos was located in bricktown nj on chambersbridge road. len and paul rogers were close friends and paul always encouraged len and always had kind words to supprt len and his tattooing career..
i for one personally knew len.. he was an amazing artist and a person if you ever got to meet him you really did meet a true legendary artist you are missed len and today we honor you
Stan Moskowitz
Stan Moskowitz
1932-2020
here is the moskowits history
Family History
It's noon on a warm sunny day in the 1930s when a regular drunkard awakens, thirsty, in his flophouse to find his bottle empty. He leaves the flop house, seeing the few rays of light that manage to shine through the overhead "El" to refill his bottle of "Sneaky Pete". After reloading, he walks past the scoundrels, bastards, and degenerates of this skid row, while quenching his thirst. He occasionally has to step over the unconscious, still inebriated from the debauchery of the night before, as he stumbles into Willy's Barber & Tattoo Shop for a shave. The man relaxes comfortably in the barber chair as Willy, the proprietor of this fine establishment, dresses him in the barber cape and preps his straight edge razor. Willy then lathers on the shaving cream and slowly proceeds to give the man a close shave. Halfway through the shave a few other denizens come into Willy's shop asking for tattoos. As Willy sees that the man he was shaving has passed out he brings the customers in the back one by one for them to pick out a design off the walls of tattoo flash and then proceeds to give them all tattoos. After these customers leave with their new artwork permanently etched into their skin Willy finishes the previous shave, collects his payment and kicks out the drunkard. This is just another day on New York City's skid row, The Bowery.
William “Willy” Moskowitz an immigrant from Russia moved to New York City with his family to meet his father Wolf Moskowitz who had previously come over. In the 1920s Willy was a barber giving shaves, haircuts & black eyes made to look natural to his clientele at #12 Bowery, while renting out the back of his barbershop to transient tattoo artists including Al Neville and Phil Duane. After having tattoo artists not show up to work, his good friend Prof. Charlie Wagner taught him to tattoo. Willy would then become the only barber/tattoo artist on the Bowery. Willy loved life on The Bowery and he would teach his sons, Stanley & Walter Moskowitz how to tattoo and make it a family affair. Willy also taught Stanley & Walter’s brother in law Stanley Farber how to tattoo. Stanley Farber tattooed in Coney Island and he would later open a shop in Brooklyn’s Flatbush which lead to his name “Flatbush Stan” where he employed Jack Dracula, Tony "The Pirate" Cambria & Tony Polito separately at various times. Stanley Moskowitz also known as “Bowery Stan” was the first to learn from Willy and Walter would follow a few years later. While a boy Walter would attend Yeshiva during the day and tattoo on The Bowery at night. By age 16 he was tattooing full time and supporting a family while buying a house and car. Willy and his boys moved to a better location at #4 Bowery as they got more and more business and Willy decided to stop cutting hair and begin tattooing full time. Walter and Stan, the only kids tattooing on the Bowery, became known as "The Bowery Boys". The trade on the Bowery required blood, sweat, but no tears as "The Bowery Boys" were constantly fighting to protect themselves. This lead to their infamy along with tattooing over 50 people a day.
"The Bowery Boys" crossed paths with many tattoo legends as Walter sold Tony Polito his first tattoo machines and later unofficially named Tony's Brooklyn tattoo shop "Old Calcutta". Walter gave Crazy Eddie Funk, later known as Philadelphia Eddie, the 2 blue birds on his chest which Eddie hilariously retells in his autobiography. While Walter was learning to tattoo, a young Huck Spaulding was fine tuning his skills in the shop under Willy's tutelage. Bill Jones or "Jonesy" built his machines in the shop as Walter and Stan tattooed. Thom DeVita also visited the shop on several occasions with Willy giving him his first tattoo. Willy later got sick so the brothers Walter and Stan moved to #52 Bowery not anymore needing a barbershop. Willy then retired and Walter and Stan became the last Bowery tattoo artists at this time. Willy Moskowitz passed away in 1961.
In 1961 tattooing became outlawed in NYC so Walter and Stan briefly tattooed underground working with Tony D'Anessa before relocating to Long Island. "The Bowery Boys" moved to Suffolk County and opened "S&W Tattoo", the first ever tattoo shop on Long Island. During this time the surrounding area of the shop on Long Island was like the wild west, much like the Bowery, with bikers, police raids, robberies, and others trying to cause problems. In all their battles on the Bowery and on Long Island "The Bowery Boys" remained undefeated. They even had blood stained flash hanging on their walls.
Walter's son Marvin would be the last family member brought into the tattoo business. He first learned at "S&W" then was sent to Tony Polito to fine tune his skills. The only people to tattoo at "S&W" were the family, Stanley, Walter, and Marvin, where they would establish the "S&W" supply company and make their "Black Beauty" tattoo machines. "The Bowery Boys" would receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the original NYC Tattoo Convention in 1999. "The Bowery Boys" worked side by side for over 50 years until they closed their doors in 2001. Walter would later open his last shop "Wally's Tattoo Studio" with his son Marvin in 2005. Walter passed away from a very tough bout of Cancer but his voice and stories live on in the family made audio book "Last Of The Bowery Scab Merchants". Marvin continues to carry on the trade to this day.
1932-2020
here is the moskowits history
Family History
It's noon on a warm sunny day in the 1930s when a regular drunkard awakens, thirsty, in his flophouse to find his bottle empty. He leaves the flop house, seeing the few rays of light that manage to shine through the overhead "El" to refill his bottle of "Sneaky Pete". After reloading, he walks past the scoundrels, bastards, and degenerates of this skid row, while quenching his thirst. He occasionally has to step over the unconscious, still inebriated from the debauchery of the night before, as he stumbles into Willy's Barber & Tattoo Shop for a shave. The man relaxes comfortably in the barber chair as Willy, the proprietor of this fine establishment, dresses him in the barber cape and preps his straight edge razor. Willy then lathers on the shaving cream and slowly proceeds to give the man a close shave. Halfway through the shave a few other denizens come into Willy's shop asking for tattoos. As Willy sees that the man he was shaving has passed out he brings the customers in the back one by one for them to pick out a design off the walls of tattoo flash and then proceeds to give them all tattoos. After these customers leave with their new artwork permanently etched into their skin Willy finishes the previous shave, collects his payment and kicks out the drunkard. This is just another day on New York City's skid row, The Bowery.
William “Willy” Moskowitz an immigrant from Russia moved to New York City with his family to meet his father Wolf Moskowitz who had previously come over. In the 1920s Willy was a barber giving shaves, haircuts & black eyes made to look natural to his clientele at #12 Bowery, while renting out the back of his barbershop to transient tattoo artists including Al Neville and Phil Duane. After having tattoo artists not show up to work, his good friend Prof. Charlie Wagner taught him to tattoo. Willy would then become the only barber/tattoo artist on the Bowery. Willy loved life on The Bowery and he would teach his sons, Stanley & Walter Moskowitz how to tattoo and make it a family affair. Willy also taught Stanley & Walter’s brother in law Stanley Farber how to tattoo. Stanley Farber tattooed in Coney Island and he would later open a shop in Brooklyn’s Flatbush which lead to his name “Flatbush Stan” where he employed Jack Dracula, Tony "The Pirate" Cambria & Tony Polito separately at various times. Stanley Moskowitz also known as “Bowery Stan” was the first to learn from Willy and Walter would follow a few years later. While a boy Walter would attend Yeshiva during the day and tattoo on The Bowery at night. By age 16 he was tattooing full time and supporting a family while buying a house and car. Willy and his boys moved to a better location at #4 Bowery as they got more and more business and Willy decided to stop cutting hair and begin tattooing full time. Walter and Stan, the only kids tattooing on the Bowery, became known as "The Bowery Boys". The trade on the Bowery required blood, sweat, but no tears as "The Bowery Boys" were constantly fighting to protect themselves. This lead to their infamy along with tattooing over 50 people a day.
"The Bowery Boys" crossed paths with many tattoo legends as Walter sold Tony Polito his first tattoo machines and later unofficially named Tony's Brooklyn tattoo shop "Old Calcutta". Walter gave Crazy Eddie Funk, later known as Philadelphia Eddie, the 2 blue birds on his chest which Eddie hilariously retells in his autobiography. While Walter was learning to tattoo, a young Huck Spaulding was fine tuning his skills in the shop under Willy's tutelage. Bill Jones or "Jonesy" built his machines in the shop as Walter and Stan tattooed. Thom DeVita also visited the shop on several occasions with Willy giving him his first tattoo. Willy later got sick so the brothers Walter and Stan moved to #52 Bowery not anymore needing a barbershop. Willy then retired and Walter and Stan became the last Bowery tattoo artists at this time. Willy Moskowitz passed away in 1961.
In 1961 tattooing became outlawed in NYC so Walter and Stan briefly tattooed underground working with Tony D'Anessa before relocating to Long Island. "The Bowery Boys" moved to Suffolk County and opened "S&W Tattoo", the first ever tattoo shop on Long Island. During this time the surrounding area of the shop on Long Island was like the wild west, much like the Bowery, with bikers, police raids, robberies, and others trying to cause problems. In all their battles on the Bowery and on Long Island "The Bowery Boys" remained undefeated. They even had blood stained flash hanging on their walls.
Walter's son Marvin would be the last family member brought into the tattoo business. He first learned at "S&W" then was sent to Tony Polito to fine tune his skills. The only people to tattoo at "S&W" were the family, Stanley, Walter, and Marvin, where they would establish the "S&W" supply company and make their "Black Beauty" tattoo machines. "The Bowery Boys" would receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the original NYC Tattoo Convention in 1999. "The Bowery Boys" worked side by side for over 50 years until they closed their doors in 2001. Walter would later open his last shop "Wally's Tattoo Studio" with his son Marvin in 2005. Walter passed away from a very tough bout of Cancer but his voice and stories live on in the family made audio book "Last Of The Bowery Scab Merchants". Marvin continues to carry on the trade to this day.
Martin "JACK DRACULA" Semnack
Martin "JACK DRACULA" Semnack
1935-2011
Born in Brooklyn NY in 1935. After a short stint in the US Navy he returned to Brooklyn, but was unable to find permanent work and started hanging out in Coney Island. In 1954 he got his first tattoo. Semnack recounts the story: “One day while I was in Coney Island, I passed Brooklyn Blackie’s tattoo shop. On an impulse, I walked in. On another impulse, I got a tattoo. It was a hinge on the inside of my right elbow. As time went on I added to my collection, and in less than a year I had 30 or so tattoos.”
This was just the start of a 50+ year career as a tattooed man. In 1956 he got his big tattooist break while hanging out at the Grecco Brothers shop in Coney Island. It was a slow night and in a joking fashion Jack said, “I could do a tattoo.” The brothers took him up on it, he passed the test, and shortly thereafter he was tattooing at their shop near the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
Dracula is probably best known for his face tattooing. The designs included an eagle on his forehead, cheeks and chin and a mask-like design around his eyes. He is said to have a total of 405 tattoos, including a battle royal back piece by Sailor Barney.
In the 1950s and 60s Dracula worked with many tattooists including Eddie Funk, Tom Yeomans and operated shops in Camden, NJ (315 Broadway) and Philadelphia, PA (Race Street). Dracula also worked in the 1960s as a sideshow attraction for Ringling Brothers Barnum Bailey Circus. He also worked at Amusements American Carnival, Dave Rosen’s Wonderland Sideshow in 1957, Riverview Park in 1962, Jerry Lipko’s Shows in 1963, Palisades Park in 1964 and the Huber Museum in New York City.
He’s been known to go by many names- Barcelona Jack, Prince Dracula, “The Marked Man”, even Pollock Eddie.
He was a well-versed opera fan and member of the Mario Lanza Institute.
Diabetes and breathing problems forced him into retirement in the early 2000s. Even confined to a bed with both legs amputated below the knees, he was vibrant and full of life.
January 18th, 2011 he died at the Park Pleasant Nursing Home in Philadelphia.
1935-2011
Born in Brooklyn NY in 1935. After a short stint in the US Navy he returned to Brooklyn, but was unable to find permanent work and started hanging out in Coney Island. In 1954 he got his first tattoo. Semnack recounts the story: “One day while I was in Coney Island, I passed Brooklyn Blackie’s tattoo shop. On an impulse, I walked in. On another impulse, I got a tattoo. It was a hinge on the inside of my right elbow. As time went on I added to my collection, and in less than a year I had 30 or so tattoos.”
This was just the start of a 50+ year career as a tattooed man. In 1956 he got his big tattooist break while hanging out at the Grecco Brothers shop in Coney Island. It was a slow night and in a joking fashion Jack said, “I could do a tattoo.” The brothers took him up on it, he passed the test, and shortly thereafter he was tattooing at their shop near the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
Dracula is probably best known for his face tattooing. The designs included an eagle on his forehead, cheeks and chin and a mask-like design around his eyes. He is said to have a total of 405 tattoos, including a battle royal back piece by Sailor Barney.
In the 1950s and 60s Dracula worked with many tattooists including Eddie Funk, Tom Yeomans and operated shops in Camden, NJ (315 Broadway) and Philadelphia, PA (Race Street). Dracula also worked in the 1960s as a sideshow attraction for Ringling Brothers Barnum Bailey Circus. He also worked at Amusements American Carnival, Dave Rosen’s Wonderland Sideshow in 1957, Riverview Park in 1962, Jerry Lipko’s Shows in 1963, Palisades Park in 1964 and the Huber Museum in New York City.
He’s been known to go by many names- Barcelona Jack, Prince Dracula, “The Marked Man”, even Pollock Eddie.
He was a well-versed opera fan and member of the Mario Lanza Institute.
Diabetes and breathing problems forced him into retirement in the early 2000s. Even confined to a bed with both legs amputated below the knees, he was vibrant and full of life.
January 18th, 2011 he died at the Park Pleasant Nursing Home in Philadelphia.
bottom of page