TRADITIONAL TATTOOS GOLD COAST
TRADITIONAL TATTOO HISTORY
The “Americana Traditional” tattoo style, also known as “Western Traditional Tattooing” is one of the most iconic and influential forms of modern tattooing.
The style emerged from Western naval and maritime cultures, particularly among sailors who were exposed to tattooing traditions from around the world. Most notably from Polynesia, Japan and Southeast Asia.
Captain James Cook made several trips to the South Pacific in the late 1760’s and was the first to transmit the meaning of the word “tattoo” to the western world.
The upper class citizens of Europe and America soon started getting tattooed in discreet places, it was a sign of wealth.
In the 1800’s tattooing was seen more on people on the fringe of society, with heavily tattooed people displayed in “freak shows” in circuses.
In North America, tattoos started out at sea. Seamen would get tattooed to help identify themselves as Americans. A sailor’s tattoos and other identifying information would be written on protection papers and help them avoid imprisonment by British Naval ships. Tattoos could also help identify their bodies if lost at sea.
In 1891 Samuel O’Reilly secured the first tattoo machine patent for a device based on Thomas Edison’s rotary pen. This marked the birth of modern electric machine tattooing.
During World War 1 and World War 2, tattoos gained popularity among U.S soldiers and sailors. These tattoos served as souvenirs, protective symbols and marks of identity or experience.
Bert Grimm was a pivotal tattooer who opened his shop in 1914. He, along with “Brooklyn” Joe Leiber and Gib “Tatts” Thomas, played a part in mentoring Norman “Sailor Jerry” Collins.
Sailor Jerry popularised the American Traditional tattooing style in the 1930’s and also played a huge part in bridging the gap between American and Japanese tattoo artists.
Other important artists of the early to mid 1900’s include Paul Rogers, Cap Coleman, Tahiti Felix, Amund Dietzel, Samuel Steward, Lyle Tuttle, Bob Shaw, Don “Ed” Hardy and “Crazy Philadelphia” Eddy. All of these artists’ laid the foundations for the look and style of traditional tattooing and the modern tattoo industry in general.
Once seen as counterculture or taboo, Americana tattoos now represent a deep-rooted cultural and artistic tradition. The style remains popular for its nostalgia, symbolism and bold aesthetics.
It is a timeless style, rich in cultural history, that bridges the gap between folk art and personal story telling.