$59.00 - On Sale
vintage 50s william grimshaw skull tattoo flash giclèe print limited to 25,16x20
limited to 25 numbered reproduction "giclèe" fine art archival prints of amazing, large size of 16x20 inches, scanned from the original sheet of hand-painted flash of master flash painter and tattooer, william grimshaw. amazingly badass sheet of tattoo flash.
William Grimshaw, born in England in 1882, emigrated to the United States in the early 1900s, where he became friends with Milwaukee tattooing legend, Amund Dietzel. Dietzel and Grimshaw worked together as carnival sideshow tattooers and tattooed men. During their time together, Grimshaw has been documented as doing many of Dietzel's tattoos and most likely Grimshaw doing the same for Dietzel.
In 1920 Grimshaw set up one of the first tattoo shops in San Antonio, Texas across the street from the Alamo with "the walls being covered with rare antiques, relics, rare skins, furs and pieces of art, while the outside is lavishly decorated.” as Billboard magazine reported in 1920.
He later tattooed for many years in Norfolk, South Carolina and Florida. During his career, Grimshaw was associated the most revered names in tattooing history, including Dietzel, Jack Tryon, Cap Coleman, Charlie Barrs, Bert Grimm, Frank Julian, Jack Wills, Joe and Mabel Darpel, and many others. His tattoo flash was and still is truly revered as works of art. Other tattooers would obtain his flash, "porkchop" it, cutting out his designs, gluing them to other boards and displaying his art as their own work. Grimshaw then started minutely signing almost every design he painted, very close to the design. Seemingly he was aware that other tattooers were cutting out his designs and and even snipping his name off the design. Several sheets of "porkchopped" Grimshaw tattoo flash exists in private collections, both with his signatures intact and some without.
Grimshaw's last known tattooing residence was in Florida, where he was also known to be an accomplished ballroom dancer. He died in Florida in 1968.
The last black and white photo in the listing here is a photo of grimshaw found online, tattooing in san antonio in 1921 It is not included in the sale but just included as a historical context for the art.
each print was professionally printed, color matched to the original and produced on 300 weight, archival, matte paper using only fade-resistant, archival, pigment-based inks. this sheet is the closest to the original sheet as could be possibly made.
email [email protected] or text on whatsapp 512-800-1595
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Buy it now sale...
+US shipping: add $7 shipping to the "buy it now" price, shipped USPS ground advantage, fully insured.
+Canada shipping: add $14 shipping to the "buy it now" price, shipped USPS ground advantage, fully insured. actual value of item will be insured.
+worldwide (except canada) shipping: add $24 shipping to the "buy it now" price, shipped USPS ground advantage, fully insured. actual value of item will be insured.
+have lots of tattoo items, priced to sell. ask any questions, inquire about other related items.
+will combine shipping on multiple items to actual shipping cost. just ask.
+ask any questions via email at [email protected] or text/call/whatsapp 512-800-1595.