Hand-colored photograph of a tattooed messenger, by Italian-British photographer Felice “Felix” Beato, ca. 1864−1867. One of the first war photographers and photojournalists, Beato took photographs of Edo Japan. Courtesy of the Schiffmacher Tattoo Heritage
Rare tattoo album by the early Japanese tattoo artist K. Akamatsu, ca. 1910s. These incredibly delicate drawings could only be made into tattoos using hand instruments. Courtesy of the Schiffmacher Tattoo Heritage
Famous American tattooed woman Artoria Gibbons, ca. 1920s. Gibbons was one of the longest-performing tattooed ladies ever. She worked the circus sideshows, dime museums, and carnivals until 1981. Courtesy of the Schiffmacher Tattoo Heritage
"Homeward Bound" tattoo design by famous American tattoo artist Bert Grimm, ca. 1940s, colored in by another legend, Doc Webb. The "Homeward Bound" motif was a beloved tattoo in early Western tattooing. Courtesy of the Schiffmacher Tattoo Heritage
Tommy Stephens with tattoos by the legendary American tattoo artist Bert Grimm, ca. 1940s. Grimm was a master and a huge influence on Western tattooing. Courtesy of the Schiffmacher Tattoo Heritage
Rare album of tattoo designs by British master tattoo artist George Burchett, ca. 1910s. Courtesy of the Schiffmacher Tattoo Heritage
Famous American tattoo artist Charlie Wagner, center, with a tattooed lady and American sailor, ca. 1930s. Wagner loved staging photographs. Here, he’s tattooing the tattooed lady’s shoulder, while she tattoos the young sailor. Courtesy of the Schiffmacher Tattoo Heritage
Portrait of a Māori woman with chin moko and feather from the prized huia bird, ca. 1900s. Māori women were traditionally tattooed on their chins and lips. Courtesy of the Schiffmacher Tattoo Heritage
The cover features rare vintage tattoos from Henk Schiffmacher's collection