Tattoos

Featured in the Wall Street Journal, “Exhibit” column“Fascinating.”—Laura Freeman, Times (UK)“A devoted and deeply researched prosopography of successive generations of professional tattooers… . Lodder traces the fine lines in the contemporary tattoo world between the rival attractions of edgy marginality, acculturation and the market.”—Jane Caplan, Times Literary Supplement“Beautifully illustrated.”—Dan Jones, Sunday Times“An interesting read, and particularly insightful about the nineteenth century.”—Frances Forbes-Carbines, The Critic“Phenomenal! Lodder has written an essential work about the tattoo profession. With thoughtful, intriguing, and accessible prose, he weaves together hundreds of sources to tell the story of tattoos in the Western world.”—David C. Lane, author of The Other End of the Needle: Continuity and Change among Tattoo Workers“This much-needed book brings to light important new research on the history of tattoo.”—Anna Felicity Friedman, author of The World Atlas of Tattoo

Matt Lodder is a senior lecturer in art history and theory and director of American Studies at the University of Essex.