In the 25th anniversary edition of Taschen’s 1000 Tattoos, art historian Burkhard Riemschneider and Amsterdam-based tattoo-world legend Henk Schiffmacher (who also runs the Amsterdam Tattoo Museum) explore the history, lives, and stories behind tattoos. It’s a grand tour through what tattoos have meant to us through the ages, from tribal body art to bikers and circus ladies. Here are some of our favorite photos from the book of tattoo history.
Image credit: The Amsterdam Tattoo Museum, Amsterdam
Maori, New Zealand, about 1900
Image credit: The Amsterdam Tattoo Museum, Amsterdam
Edith Burchett, London, Great Britain, about 1920
Image credit: The Amsterdam Tattoo Museum, Amsterdam
Ron Ackers at Work, Bristol, Great Britain, 1950s
Image credit: The Amsterdam Tattoo Museum, Amsterdam
Cindy Ray in her Studio, Ivanhoe, Australia, 1960s
Image credit: The Amsterdam Tattoo Museum, Amsterdam
Horiwaka, Tokyo
Image credit: The Amsterdam Tattoo Museum, Amsterdam
Dave Lum, Salem, Oregon, USA
