tattoos in the early 19th century
The popularity of tattooing during the later part of the nineteenth century owed much to the circus . "when circus's prospered tattooing prospered" when circus's went bankrupt tattooed people and tattoo artists where out of work. some tattooed people where exhibited in slide shows, others preformed traditional circus acts such as juggling and sword swallowing. by the turn of the century tattooing had lost a great deal of credibility. tattooists worked the sleaziest parts of town.