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).
