Despite the fact that tattooing is a widely accepted fashion trend in today’s world. Back then, it wasn’t a particularly popular trend or a widely accepted form of art. Do you know who the first tattoo artist in the United Kingdom was?
In the Victorian era, the first tattoo artist in the United Kingdom appeared in the 1880s. Sutherland Macdonald is his name. When he was on a tour with the British army in the South Pacific with James Cook, he was exposed to the Polynesian style of tattooing. He was immediately drawn to the art of tattooing after being introduced to it, and he brought it back to his homeland. Continue reading to learn more about this story.
More info & Photo courtesy: The National Archives
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By 1889, he had opened his own tattoo parlor in the United Kingdom. When he registered his shop, he had to create a separate section in the Yellow Pages for professionalism. For four years, he was the only tattoo artist listed in that section. That proves Macdonald was the first tattoo artist in the United Kingdom.
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He patented his electric machine in 1894, putting an end to his manual methods. In the early days of tattooing in the United Kingdom, he was a major figure. Macdonald is said to have tattooed several Princes of Kings and Queens at the time. He has made some very powerful friends in his line of work. Here are some of his early tattoos from the United Kingdom’s professional tattooing days. Please share your thoughts and ideas in the comments section below.
