Six original tattoo flash art sheets attributed to to two of America’s earliest tattoo artists, Charlie Wagner (1875-1953) and Sam O’Reilly (1854-1909), bring a combined sale of $41,375 at Ripley Auctions, USA on July 28th 2018.
The six sheets were found in the bottom of a trunk in the attic of an 84-year-old career Marine Corps officer. The trunk had been in storage for over 40 years. It also held other rare items, including a 1584 hand-coloured map engraving of Tuscany, Italy, which was also in the auction.
Sam O’Reilly (1854-1909) learned tattooing in the Navy and patented the first tattooing machine in 1891. He practiced his art in New York City, in the Bowery. Charlie Wagner (1875-1953) was a tattoo artist for more than 50 years. He apprenticed with O’Reilly and patented his own tattoo machine in 1904. He sold tattoo machines and his own brand of ink. He also tattooed circus performers, sailors and “tattooed ladies” who became famous as circus side-show attractions.
The subject matter dated as far back as 1894 and included “Buffalo Bill” Cody, Gen. George Armstrong Custer, the Spanish-American War and the image of crossed guns, representative of Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders, to name a few. One of the images included the date of 1908.
Lot 153: Original tattoo flash sheet attributed to Charlie Wagner and Sam O’Reilly, two of America’s earliest tattoo artists ($4,750).
Lot 154: Original tattoo flash sheet attributed to Charlie Wagner and Sam O’Reilly, two of America’s earliest tattoo artists ($4,250).
Lot 155: Original tattoo flash sheet attributed to Charlie Wagner and Sam O’Reilly, two of America’s earliest tattoo artists ($5,500).
Lot 156: Original tattoo flash sheet attributed to Charlie Wagner and Sam O’Reilly, two of America’s earliest tattoo artists ($7,500).
Lot 157: Original tattoo flash sheet attributed to Charlie Wagner and Sam O’Reilly, two of America’s earliest tattoo artists ($8,125).
Lot 158: Original tattoo flash sheet attributed to Charlie Wagner and Sam O’Reilly, two of America’s earliest tattoo artists ($11,250).
I am the granddaughter of stephen wagner, Charlie wagner brother. My grandfather was heavily tattooed by his brother
What up sets the family, no one ever researches the truth of Charlie Wagner’s death
Where is his body in potter’s field? The family never had a funeral, burial, gravesite, or headstone who stole all his belongings from his store. yet many items show up for sale.
Why not research his grave site instead bbn of reprinting information found in other publications. I believe people would like the answers and the reading
Thank you. Kathleen Wagner
Ms Wagner. You are 100% correct. It’s a shame. I am a tattooer who is part of a lineage that comes directly from your relative. I hold him in high regard.
I tattooed with Bowery Stan Moskowitz and he was a mentor to me. We shared a booth at many conventions for 10 years. His father , Sailor Willie , was started by Charlie. Stanley told me he was around when Charlie passed. He said He was told Charlie’s belongings were thrown in the dumpster . It was said Charlie sold painted designs and machines. I have a sales receipt from Charlie detailing items such as flash and machines along with the said items. PERHAPS this lot was from a similar sale at one point in history. Now i was’nt there and I’m relaying what i was told.
FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH
Timmy “Tatts”