The Tattooed Lady: A History

by Amelia Klem Osterud

Overview

Living in a time when it was scandalous even to show a bit of ankle, a small number of courageous women covered their bodies in tattoos and traveled the country, performing nearly nude on carnival stages. These gutsy women spun amazing stories for captivated audiences about abductions and forced tattooing at the hands of savages, but little has been shared of their real lives. Though they spawned a cultural movement—almost a quarter of Americans now have tattoos—these women have largely faded into history. The Tattooed Lady uncovers the true stories behind these women, bringing them out of the sideshow realm and into their working class realities. Combining thorough research with more than a hundred historical photos, this updated second edition explores tattoo origins, women's history, circus lore, and includes even more personal and professional details from modern tattooed ladies. A fascinating read, The Tattooed Lady pays tribute to a group of unique and amazing women whose legacy lives on.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781589799967
Publisher:	Taylor Trade Publishing
Publication date:	11/06/2014
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	160
Sales rank:	250,382
Product dimensions:	9.90(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Amelia Klem 'sterud is an academic librarian from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who is working diligently on becoming heavily tattooed, just in case she ever wants a second career as a tattooed lady. 'sterud has a master’s degree in history from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and writes and lectures on the subject of tattooing, contributing regularly to Things & Ink and Z Tattoo Magazine. You can follow her writing and research adventures online at http://tattooedladyhistory.typepad.com.

Table of Contents

1 Their Place in Tattoo History
2 The Tattooed Lady
3 The Day the circus Came to Town
4 Choices and Control
5 The Legacy

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“While a lady with a tattoo is not a big deal today, Amelia Klem Osterud's new book is a look at women who became sensations through their tattoos. Osterud, a librarian, surveys ancient tattooing practices before launching into her 19th- and 20th-century subjects, many of them performers for circuses and sideshows. Readers will learn, for example, about Lady Viola, billed as 'The Most Beautiful Tattooed Lady in the World,' who had images of six presidents tattooed on her chest, as well as Babe Ruth and Ginger Rogers.”—Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Editorial Reviews

The stories here are fascinating, and 'sterud connects this history well to the legacy that now lives on the skin of modern women.

BUST

“While a lady with a tattoo is not a big deal today, Amelia Klem Osterud's new book is a look at women who became sensations through their tattoos. Osterud, a librarian, surveys ancient tattooing practices before launching into her 19th- and 20th-century subjects, many of them performers for circuses and sideshows. Readers will learn, for example, about Lady Viola, billed as 'The Most Beautiful Tattooed Lady in the World,' who had images of six presidents tattooed on her chest, as well as Babe Ruth and Ginger Rogers.”—Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

From the Publisher