Tales from the Old School of Tattooing

Sean Hobden was the youngest member of the Old Timers Tattoo Club when it was formed in 1989. He was privileged to hear the stories of the last of the old time character showmen tattooists when tattooing was still a part of the underworld and hadn’t yet gone mainstream and become popularised. Now you can hear the stories of the legends of tattooing from the last century that were told to the author first hand. Read how street shop walk in tattooists dealt with the many drunks and long queues. Humorous accounts and anecdotes of Ron Ackers, Painless Jeff, Cockney Paul, Benn Gun, Barry Louvaine, Charlie bell, Jock of Kings Cross and many more. Many old time trade secrets such as “Three waying” and the “Vanity sink” are revealed, as they are no longer needed in modern tattooing. The book also covers old school politics and serves as a social history of the last part of the previous century. Black humour not for the easily offended. "I found this book to be compulsive reading and incredibly hard to put down" Total Tattoo Magazine "I often find the best example of a good read is one that cannot be put down. I read this book in one night" Gladstone Magazine "Many of the stories are hilarious, full of dry wit and humour,blended with warmth and affection" Total Tattoo Magazine "A laugh a minute rollercoaster of tattoo madness.This is a book you need on your shelf" Tattoo Master Magazine