HISTORICAL TATTOO DESIGN

Life as a Sideshow Tattoo Artist, 3rd Edition

Alan Govenar

The colorful life and work of Stoney St. Clair, an American tattoo icon

For tattoo artists and enthusiasts, as well as anyone interested in circus and sideshow culture

Nearly 100 additional photos expand this updated edition, celebrating Stoney’s old-school style and independent spirit

In this updated edition, the extraordinary life of Stoney St. Clair— circus performer turned tattoo artist—comes to life in photos, tattoo ash, and his own words, edited by writer and lmmaker Alan Govenar. Born Leonard St. Clair in 1912 in West Virginia, Stoney discovered his passion for drawing at Johns Hopkins, where he was being treated for rheumatoid arthritis. Not deterred by his disability, he joined the circus at 15 as a sword swallower and then learned tattooing from other circus at 15 as a sword swallower and then learned tattooing from other circus performers. From traveling with the circus to setting up tattoo circus performers. From traveling with the circus to setting up tattoo shops in Tampa and Columbus, Stoney met, tattooed, and worked with shops in Tampa and Columbus, Stoney met, tattooed, and worked with some of the greatest. Vincent Canby, writing in the some of the greatest. Vincent Canby, writing in the New York Times, New York Times described Stoney as “an ebullient little man with the gab of a circus described Stoney as “an ebullient little man with the gab of a circus tout (spoken in the accents of Appalachia) and a fund of bizarre stories tout (spoken in the accents of Appalachia) and a fund of bizarre stories about tattooing and unrelated matters.” about tattooing and unrelated matters.”

About the Author About the Author Alan Govenar is an award-winning writer, folklorist, photographer, and fi lmmaker. is an award-winning writer, folklorist, photographer, and fi lmmaker. He is president of Documentary Arts, a nonprofi t organization he founded to advance essential perspectives on historical issues and diverse cultures. Govenar is a Guggenheim Fellow and the author of over 30 books. Author Location: Dallas, TX

AVAILABLE JUNE

ISBN: 978-0-7643-6400-6 Size: 8 1/2" x 11" (21 5 x 2 79 mm) Pages: 208 Price: £40.99

ISBN 978-0-7643-6400-6

Illustrations: 302 color and b/w images Binding: hardcover BISAC: ART / Body Art & Tattooing