This achingly cool book explores the bold, colourful and enduringly popular tattoo designs that were perfected across two World Wars.

Each chapter focuses on a particular group of tattoos, beginning with the circus displays that kick-started the age of vintage design, through maritime and patriotic emblems, and culminating in the current revival of this genre of art. Unlike other sourcebooks, it includes profiles on the most famous practitioners, as well as interviews with tattooing's living legends.

Each chapter focuses on a particular group of tattoos. Includes profiles on the most famous practitioners, as well as interviews with tattooing's living legends.

Carol Clerk was one of Britain's most influential rock music writers, an expert on popular culture, author and award-winning journalist. After many years on the staff of Melody Maker, she became a freelance writer contributing to Uncut, Classic Rock and the Independent, as well as appearing on radio and TV programmes and in music documentaries.