Live Auction

Tattoo, Circus, Sideshow & Curiosities

Bray & Co. is pleased to present the largest and finest array of historic tattoo material ever assembled for auction. This annual event features original photography, vintage tattoo flash, graphic ephemera and other art and artifacts chronicling the long, colorful history of tattooing. Highlights include rare and important material from foundational figures in the tattoo pantheon, including the collections of Baltimore's "Tattoo Charlie" Geizer (1905-1980) and New York's Darwin "Huck" Spaulding (1928-2013). A fine selection of circus and sideshow art, curiosities and other works of historic popular entertainment round out this exceptional offering.

Auction and Contact Information

Location

55 Green Street
Portsmouth, NH 03801

Sale Day & Preview

Sunday, August 25th at 10AM
Bid In Person or Live Online at www.brayco.com

Preview August 23-24, 10AM to 5PM or by Appointment

(603) 427-8281
[email protected]

Auction Preview

Tattoo Travel Trunk by Amund Dietzel (Milwaukee, ca. 1925)

Lot 1

Tattoo Travel Trunk by Amund Dietzel (Milwaukee, ca. 1925)

Sold: $17,220

 
Postcard of Tattoo Artist Charlie Wagner (New York City, ca. 1925)

Lot 6

Postcard of Tattoo Artist Charlie Wagner (New York City, ca. 1925)

Sold: $6,080

 
Prof. W.M. Lyons Oversize Tattoo Artist Business Card (Sacramento, ca. 1907)

Lot 18

Prof. W.M. Lyons Oversize Tattoo Artist Business Card (Sacramento, ca. 1907)

Sold: $3,690

 
Betty Broadbent Tattooed Lady Sideshow Banner by Snap Wyatt (Tampa, Florida, ca. 1960)

Lot 41

Betty Broadbent Tattooed Lady Sideshow Banner by Snap Wyatt (Tampa, Florida, ca. 1960)

Sold: $11,070

 
Travel Trunk used by Canadian Tattoo Artist G. E. Miller (Ontario, ca. 1950)

Lot 160

Travel Trunk used by Canadian Tattoo Artist G. E. Miller (Ontario, ca. 1950)

Sold: $14,760

 
Early Book of Tattoo Designs, S. Yamasaki / Y. Sudsuki (Japan, ca. 1905)

Lot 194

Early Book of Tattoo Designs, S. Yamasaki / Y. Sudsuki (Japan, ca. 1905)

Sold: $22,140

 
Tattoo Charlie's Neon Shop Sign (Baltimore, 1940-1960)

Lot 197

Tattoo Charlie's Neon Shop Sign (Baltimore, 1940-1960)

Sold: $3,382

 
Antique Carnival Funhouse Mirror (America, ca. 1930)

Lot 300

Antique Carnival Funhouse Mirror (America, ca. 1930)

Sold: $1,408