gus wagner

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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