Tattoo Antiques
Tattoo Antiques

The Bray Collection

 

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Uncovering the Past

Tattoo Antiques is a place to showcase my extensive collection of original tattoo photographs, business cards, trade catalogs and hand-painted flash art from the 1870s through World War II. These rare items are packed with important clues about pioneering tattoo artists and tattooed attractions. To see a few of my prized possessions and learn more about my latest research projects, please check out the blog and gallery.

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About Me

My name is Derin Bray. I'm an author, curator, historian and dealer in American Art & Antiques. I'm also a passionate collector of the odd and unusual. I've travelled all over the country in pursuit of historic tattoo material and have had the good fortune to examine tens of thousands of rare items in museums, research libraries and many places off the beaten path. Now it's time to share some of what I've learned and collected. 

 
 

Wanted Tattoo Antiques

I'm always on the hunt for vintage tattoo items from the Dime Museum era of the 1870s through the mid-twentieth century. If you have antique photographs, business cards, hand-painted tattoo flash, or related material, I would love to hear from you. Premiums paid for exceptional pieces!

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The iconic Belle of the Plains back piece by Los Angeles tattoo artist Ben Corday, ca. 1920. To see dozens of previously unpublished hand-painted designs by Corday and other relics from his career, check out our new book Late of the Guards with @rich
Our new book by @rich_hardy is finally available for preorder! Visit @rakehouse or click the profile link to get your copy of Late of the Guards: Tattoo Designs by Ben Corday.   Rich and I pulled out all the stops to create this limited-edition
Our new Ben Corday book goes on presale Halloween, October 31 at 9am EST. There will only be 750 copies for sale through @rakehouse. Seen here is one of many featured designs painted by Corday around 1918.   @rich_hardy and I spent an insane am
An incredible photograph of Lonesome “Jack” Allman and George Weigert tattooing USN sailor Jack McCormick, ca. 1908. Gus Wagner actually did the bulk of McCormick’s work. We featured this photo and some great information about Allma
The countdown begins! Presale for the new Corday book I’ve been working on with @rich_hardy kicks off Halloween morning. There will only be 750 copies available from @rakehouse. . Rich and I went the extra mile to make this project special.