Old School Tattoo Flash

The influence of old school tattoo flash on contemporary tattooists and aficionados dates back to times of war, debauchery, buxom temptresses and red-blooded men. Legendary tattooists such as Charlie Wagner, Lewis Alberts and Norman "Sailor Jerry" Collins branded America during the World War era using straightforward illustrations, bold dark lines and alluring artistry that would evoke opinions of scandal and rebellion among tamed and domesticated onlookers. Born of hands that had partaken in world-travel, adventure and warfare, old school tattoos served as marks of bravery, lust and emotional conflict. They were commonly etched into a forearm or bicep, unflinchingly announcing the wearer's experiences and thrilling encounters that were worthy of commemoration.

Flash refers to the sheets of paper saturated in personalized tattoo artistry that adorn the walls and counters of practically every tattoo parlor you might visit. The flash is used to express a tattooist's creativity and designs. Many tattoo-seeking customers choose their images directly from an artist's tattoo flash.

Tremendous contributions to the tattoo industry came from Wagner and Alberts. On the East coast during the 1920's, Wagner and Alberts worked together to sell tattoo supplies in Chatham Square. Although they both collaborated and practiced tattooing, Wagner was recognized as a tattoo gun originator and Alberts is said to have contributed greatly to today's old school tattoo flash. The rumor is that Alberts had been trained in wallpaper design before his enlistment in the U.S. Navy. Upon returning to his civilian lifestyle, he decided to recreate the tattoo designs available to the public so that they'd be outstanding and meaningful. Thus, he combined his old trade with his new tattoo artistic endeavors and was able to decorate the walls with old school tattoos.

Norman "Sailor Jerry" Collins practiced his art in a parlor in Chinatown, Honolulu. His work appealed to many nomadic sailors stopping in town for a night of alcohol, sex and ink. His old school images included alluring bare-breasted ladies, ribbon-encoiled skulls, nautical stars, message-encrypted banners and innumerable others. Entrusting his namesake and artistry to his apprentices, today his artwork echoes in tattoo parlors across the nation.

Below you will find many of the common depictions used in the old school style of tattoo art. The coloring is almost always primarily black ink with accents of red, blue, yellow, green and so forth.

As one of the more obvious symbols of people who spent time at sea, ships were a popular choice for sailors seeking tattoos. One legendary piece is Sailor Jerry's portrayal of a ship at sea with the word "Homeward" beneath it accompanied by splashes of vibrant red in the background as though devotion and fury fueled the ship's progress.

Similar to the ship, an anchor indicated participation in the U.S. Navy. Men would frequently opt to add a ribbon with the name of their beloved written on it wrapped around it, implying that their loved one served as an anchor in their life.

The nautical star served as a patriotic symbol of service in the Navy.

Mermaids were mythical creatures of the ocean and many sailor's fantasies. These tattoos usually revealed bare, pert breasts that often symbolized the lust and desire the wearer had for women in general.

The naked temptress could take on many forms. She might be positioned lying invitingly in a hammock or staring seductively at an observer while a cobra circled her half-naked body. A naked temptress represented passion and lust..

With passion and lust came heart imagery. Sometimes these red hearts were intact, other times they were split in half or stabbed with a dagger and imprinted with words like "broken", "courage". and "regret".

One of the authentic naval tattoos, a swallow is said to symbolize a certain number of miles the sailor has journeyed at sea. The swallow was considered the first sign that land was near, implying that the sailor had completed his mileage and was finally arriving at his destination.

As the national symbol of the United States of America, the eagle easily became one of the popular old school tattoo designs for many patriotic tattoo enthusiasts.

The national flag serves as another patriotic representation for tattoo enthusiasts.

With the resurgence of the tattoo culture in the past few decades, old school tattoo flash styles have been a top choice for many enthusiasts. Contemporary artists such as Ed Hardy, Paul Jefferies and Mike Malone revived the tradition of old school tattoos while adding in present-day themes and personalized depictions (such as Asian artistry and American Indian themes). The vintage style has actually become highly-sought after and trendy for numerous individuals seeking their next tattoo.

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