Vintage Tattoo Art – Butterfly Ink Rebel, Smooth Matte Print

Are you into Vintage Tattoo Art? Sometime in the early twentieth century, Fred Harris opened a small tattoo shop on Sussex Street and went on to dominate Sydney’s tattoo scene for decades—proof that tattoo art was becoming just as popular then as it is today. PIX Magazine, one of Australia’s best-loved weeklies, featured Fred Harris and his clients—and the images were captured by PIX photographer Ray Olson. Tattoo designs mirror the culture of their time, and his little parlour became a front-row view of changing tastes—where butterfly and flower tattoo requests for tattoo women sat alongside bigger, bolder pieces that weren’t meant to be discreet. Sailors were some of his most regular canvases, carrying tattoo flash traditions and old seafaring superstitions into the shop, while others came for everything from leg designs meant to show through stockings to patriotic emblems and meaningful names—each custom tattoo telling a story in ink.

This black & white poster will elevate your studio, reading nook, gallery wall, or creative workspace with timeless energy and old-school charm. A strong choice for Retro Tattoo Decor and a thoughtful tattoo lover gift, it’s an easy way to bring Vintage Tattoo Art character home—add it to your cart and make it the standout piece in your space.

Details:

• 3 Sizes: 24×36″ (60×90 cm), 16×24″ (40×60 cm), and 12×18″ (30×45 cm)
• Paper weight: 200 gsm / 80 lb
• Shipped in sturdy packaging to protect the poster
• Ready to frame

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For more hard-to-find vintage Hollywood treasures, feel free to visit our Etsy shop: https://smellynoises.etsy.com