Tattoo history in the Family

Earl Brown was my Great-Great Grandfather

(Earl is My Grandmothers Grandfather (Mothers Side))

Earl was Born February 26th 1904, in Missouri -He lived to the age of 78, passing away on February 16th, 1983 in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. He is now Buried at Riverside Cemetery (Hopkinsville Kentucky)

* Earl Browns Tattoo History 

*Earl Browns Business Card

*Earl Brown Worked with Bob Shaw 1958

My grandmother has a dot tattooed on her hand that Earl did. This was long ago, before cross contamination was a concern, earl was working a client and my grandmother asked Earl if tattooing hurt? He instructed her to hold her hand out, leaned over, gave her a quick hit with the machine, and then continued working. Today the dot is faded and blurry, but she knew what it felt like after that and it’s still the only tattoo my grandmother has.

As cool as it would be to say Earl was my inspiration into tattooing, I actually never knew about Earl’s tattooing career growing up. It wasn’t until a few years after I had gotten into tattooing that my grandmother showed me photos and told me what he did.

If you, or anyone you know, has an Earl Brown Tattoo Machine please contact me. Thank you.