MEMOIRS OF A TATTOOIST
True first edition of this classic early tattooing memoir, in the iconic Paul Rand jacket.
Very good plus in very good jacket.
Price: $750.00
MEMOIRS OF A TATTOOIST
"But don't get me wrong. Although tattooing was my business, I knew a good tattoo could help a Service man. It strengthened his self-confidence and let even a mammy's boy feel like a man. Englishmen don't like to show their feelings [...] Some got their feelings off their chests in my work-room, as well as acquiring a tattoo on their chests."
George Burchett (1872-1953) — who operated from his legendary East End Waterloo Road studio for more than half a century — inked sailors, criminals, aristocrats, and society figures alike. In the process he became Britain's most famous tattoo artist, with clientele that included not only members of the military, but of European royal families as well (King Frederik IX of Denmark, King Alfonso XIII of Spain, among others). An intimate glimpse into the underworld of London tattooing, MEMOIRS also importantly discusses the history of body modification in Britain, Burchett's own techniques, the development of the tattoo art, and evolving attitudes toward tattooing. Assembled from Burchett's drafts and notes after his death, it remains a vivid and important document.
The Object
First printing. London: Oldbourne, (1958). Full title: Memoirs of a Tattooist, From the Notes, Diaries and Letters of the Late "King of Tattooists." 8.5'' x 5''. Original full red cloth with gilt spine titles. In original unclipped (15s. 0d.) color pictorial jacket designed by Paul Rand. Photographically illustrated throughout in black and white, including frontispiece. 224 pages. Jacket with a couple of short clean splits to front flap (but intact and holding). Minor edgewear, rubbing. Slight lean. Contemporary bookseller ticket to rear pastedown. Overall, sound and clean.
The Fine Print
We work hard to meet our ethical responsibility to describe our material accurately. All items are guaranteed as described and may be returned for any reason within 30 days. Please notify us before mailing a return.
We guarantee the authenticity of our items. All materials are original (meaning not facsimiles or reproductions) unless otherwise noted. First editions (meaning first edition, first printing) are explicitly stated. TPM is a member of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America and upholds their Code of Ethics.
All photographs are of the actual item for sale. We're happy to provide additional images on request.
All domestic orders ship gratis. For orders under $250, free USPS media mail shipping is included; orders $250 and over ship USPS Ground Advantage. International orders over $1000 also ship gratis. Expedited, overnight, as well as other carriers (UPS, Fed-Ex, etc.), may carry additional costs beyond quoted rates. All orders receive tracking information and a direct contact in case of any questions.
International buyers are responsible for any customs, taxes, and related import fees. Please note that we are unable to accomodate requests to misrepresent, misdeclare, or otherwise falsify customs documents when shipping internationally. We appreciate your understanding.
We accept all major credit cards, Paypal, Venmo, check, money order, and bank wire. We are happy to bill institutional buyers' needs. Sales tax will be added to applicable purchases. Items subject to prior sale.
If for any reason you are dissatisfied with your purchase, please contact us. We prioritize our long-term relationships far above any individual purchase, and we want you to love your item as much as we loved cataloguing it.
