Gus Wagner was one of the tattoo pioneers dating back to 1904 when he worked his trade and appeared as a side show attraction at the St. Louis Worlds fair. For over 40 years he worked as a traveling sideshow artist. He was married to a circus aerialist and contortionist named Maude who he taught the tattoo trade. The trade was carried onto the daughter who earned a respectable reputation for her art although not having any tattoos herself. continue reading
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Do you remember the fascination you had with carnies – and 
Prior to reading this story, I had thought my friend’s (a tattoo artist) Mom was the oldest person- she was in her 80′s and volunteered to help her daughter when she was first learning the art. But no – back in 2004 an 94 year old man from PA got his first tattoo – I should say tattoos as he got one on each arm. 
