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50+ Rebellious Women Getting Tattooed From The Past Before It Was Cool

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Tattooing is an ancient art, as they were discovered on mummified bodies. The oldest discovery of tattooed human skin to date is found on the body of Ötzi, the Iceman, dating between 3370 and 3100 BC. In the late 19th century, tattoos were not popular, especially for women. However, some Tattooed ladies, who were generally working-class women or acquired tattoos, performed in circuses and sideshows. The first documented professional tattoo artist in the United States was Martin Hildebrandt. Below are some ladies from the past getting tattooed on their bodies before becoming a common thing. Vote your favorites, and don’t forget to share.

#3 A tattooist paints a small rose on the thigh of a woman in 1961.

A tattooist paints a small rose on the thigh of a woman in 1961.

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#4 Tattooist Les Skuse works on a large Japanese scene across the back of a client in 1960.

Tattooist Les Skuse works on a large Japanese scene across the back of a client in 1960.

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#5 Japanese tattoo artist Tokumitsu Uchida works over the outline of a design during the 1950s.

Japanese tattoo artist Tokumitsu Uchida works over the outline of a design during the 1950s.

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#6 Deafy Grassman tattooing his wife, Stella, ca. 1930s.

Deafy Grassman tattooing his wife, Stella, ca. 1930s.

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#7 A tattoo artist inks a client in 1960 with the name of her partner, Jim.

A tattoo artist inks a client in 1960 with the name of her partner, Jim.

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#8 A service woman has a tattoo done on her arm in Aldershot, England, in 1951.

A service woman has a tattoo done on her arm in Aldershot, England, in 1951.

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#9 A tattoo artist paints a permanent beauty spot on the cheek of a woman at his workshop in Copenhagen in 1956.

A tattoo artist paints a permanent beauty spot on the cheek of a woman at his workshop in Copenhagen in 1956.

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#10 Famed tattoo artist George Burchett works on a client’s thigh in 1930.

Famed tattoo artist George Burchett works on a client’s thigh in 1930.

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#11 A woman having an image of a snake tattooed onto her thigh by George Burchett, 1928.

A woman having an image of a snake tattooed onto her thigh by George Burchett, 1928.

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#12 A young woman shows off her chest tattoo of a horse and jockey in 1930.

A young woman shows off her chest tattoo of a horse and jockey in 1930.

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#13 Tattooist Les Skuse at work on tattooed beauty Pam Nash, ca. 1960s.

Tattooist Les Skuse at work on tattooed beauty Pam Nash, ca. 1960s.

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#14 A film fan uses a mirror to admire the image of film star Gary Gooper she has had tattooed on her back by George Burchett a London tattooist, 1936.

A film fan uses a mirror to admire the image of film star Gary Gooper she has had tattooed on her back by George Burchett a London tattooist, 1936.

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#15 A tattooist painting a bluebird on a woman’s breast, 1965.

A tattooist painting a bluebird on a woman’s breast, 1965.

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#16 A woman getting an interesting shoulder piece in 1928.

A woman getting an interesting shoulder piece in 1928.

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#17 This woman seen being inked by legendary Bowery tattooist Charlie Wagner, ca. 1920s.

This woman seen being inked by legendary Bowery tattooist Charlie Wagner, ca. 1920s.

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#18 Beachcomber Bill’s wife; Brenda; smiles from table as he shows how he applies tattoo, 1975.

Beachcomber Bill’s wife; Brenda; smiles from table as he shows how he applies tattoo, 1975.

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#19 An American tattoo artist working on a client’s shoulder, 1973.

An American tattoo artist working on a client’s shoulder, 1973.

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#20 Al Schiefley and Les Skuse apply ink to a willing dish, 1955.

Al Schiefley and Les Skuse apply ink to a willing dish, 1955.

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#22 ca. 1930s

ca. 1930s

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#24 An unidentified Japanese tattoo artist works on a woman’s backside, ca. 1930s.

An unidentified Japanese tattoo artist works on a woman's backside, ca. 1930s.

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#25 An English woman wearing a pair of elegant crystal earrings is seen getting her first tattoo in 1930.

An English woman wearing a pair of elegant crystal earrings is seen getting her first tattoo in 1930.

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#26 Janet “Rusty” Skuse was honored by the Guinness World Records as Britain’s most tattooed woman for over 20 years.

Janet “Rusty” Skuse was honored by the Guinness World Records as Britain's most tattooed woman for over 20 years.

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#27 Doris Sherrel getting her social security number tattooed by Jack Julian, 1942.

Doris Sherrel getting her social security number tattooed by Jack Julian, 1942.

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#28 A tattoo artist tattooing a butterfly onto Lulubelle Hostein’s back, ca. 1955

A tattoo artist tattooing a butterfly onto Lulubelle Hostein's back, ca. 1955

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#30 Women’s Royal Army Corps member showing new tattoo on leg to fellow enlistees in WWII

Women's Royal Army Corps member showing new tattoo on leg to fellow enlistees in WWII

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#31 Pam Nash, a champion tattooed lady, with a Japanese garden scene across her back, 1960s.

Pam Nash, a champion tattooed lady, with a Japanese garden scene across her back, 1960s.

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#33 Think your swallow tats are cool? This woman got them before you were even born, 1965.

Think your swallow tats are cool? This woman got them before you were even born, 1965.

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#34 Kickass snake tat, 1928

Kickass snake tat, 1928

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#35 A tattooed butterfly garter belt will never fall down when you’re doing the Charleston, 1930s

A tattooed butterfly garter belt will never fall down when you’re doing the Charleston, 1930s

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#37 Getting tattooed

Getting tattooed

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#40 Getting tattooed

Getting tattooed

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#43 Artoria Gibbons, 1920s

Artoria Gibbons, 1920s

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#46 Woman getting a traditional Japanese tattoo.

Woman getting a traditional Japanese tattoo.

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#48 A woman lays her Kimono down as she gets a traditional Japanese tattoo, ca. 1930s.

A woman lays her Kimono down as she gets a traditional Japanese tattoo, ca. 1930s.

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#49 Lady getting a bird tattoo, 1928

Lady getting a bird tattoo, 1928

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#50 An artist creating skin motifs for evening wear on models at the Hair and Beauty Fair, Olympia, London. 20th September 1938.

An artist creating skin motifs for evening wear on models at the Hair and Beauty Fair, Olympia, London. 20th September 1938.

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Written by Aurora Hale

I am a blogger, entrepreneur and small business coach. I'm an introvert and cat lover. My favourite hobbies are breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

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4 Comments

  3. A big part of it being rebellious was that these are women. This paints a huge picture of our history. Some of these comments are sad. It was rebellious. Notice how they are only white women? Women didn’t even have the right to vote in 1920. Open your own bank account? 1974. I mean the list goes on.

    Now my point… I have a lot of tattoos and I’m a woman and I have faced workplace discrimination. It’s 100 years later. I mean I guess the jokes about not having tattoos are surface level but this post is so much more than that.

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