She worked on the Bowery and learned from Charlie Wagner himself, which is an incredible accomplishment for the time. She was New York’s very first woman tattoo artist and she became the biggest exception.

That is, until Mildred Hull, known as Millie Hull, came into the scene. What stands out, though, is that the scene was entirely dominated by men. Many tattooers were just passing through, but they made their home in the city. The list of tattoo artists who worked in the city is remarkable. New York City was a tattooing Mecca, even when tattooing was banned until 1997. Millie Hull’s Story, From Burlesque Dancer to Tattoo Artist Today: Tattoos are more popular than ever and there are over 3,000 tattoo shops in the city where you can get all different kinds of tattoo styles with some of the best artists of the century.1998: The first annual tattoo convention takes place in New York City at the Roseland Ballroom, which is now defunct.This period also saw the rise of new artists in NYC in the 70s and 80s, such as Coney Island Freddie, Ron Lopez, Mike Perfetto, Tattoo Al, and Tony Polito. Artists like Brooklyn Blackie, Tony D’Annessa, and Thom deVita. Still, some artists found a way to continue working underground. 1961 to 1997: Tattoos are banned as a result of a hepatitis B outbreak.She also learned the craft from Charlie Wagner, who tattooed her entire body, and she’s an icon even today, known as the Queen of the Bowery. Formerly a burlesque dancer, she opened her own tattoo shop in Lower Manhattan, called “Tattoo Emporium”. 1939: Millie Hull becomes New York’s original woman tattoo artist.They also created Bowery Ink, a line of colors. The Moskowitz brothers were the last of this historic crew to tattoo in NYC until they banned the practice in 1961. He eventually opened a shop in Chatham Square. He learned the craft from Charlie Wagner and taught his sons as well. The 1930s: Russian immigrant Willie Moskowitz begins tattooing in his building’s basement.

1916 to 1917: The youngest tattoo artist in America, Bob Wicks, who was 19 at the time, developed a style that will grow to be popular all over the US, which combined patriotic iconography and cartoon characters.He improved the design of the tattoo machine and patented it in 1904, helping him become one of the most famous tattoo artists in Bowery.

Up to 1935: Charlie Wagner joins O’Reilly’s tattoo studio, eventually taking it over.Patriotic and religious tattoos became popular and the average cost was a nickel. Specifically in Coney Island and Vinegar Hill. 1891: The first tattoo machine is patented by Sam O’Reilly, which allowed tattoo parlors to rise.1876: Thomas Edison patents an electric pen for stencils and puncturing paper, which is the precursor of the modern tattoo machine.Later, she joined the Barnum & Bailey circus as an exhibitionist. His daughter Nora is considered to be the first lady to get tattooed and she had around 350 tattoos on her body. 1870: The first tattoo shop in the US is opened by Martin Hildebrandt, New York’s first tattoo artist.The images portray three Mohawk tribe members and one Mahican tribesman before their travels to England to meet Queen Anne. 1710: John Simon, a printmaker, produces an early depiction of tattooed Native Americans, “The Four Indian Kings”.So, here’s a brief timeline of the history of tattooing in New York before we move onto today’s star, Millie Hull. It’s a rich history and we thought it was important to visit it today. The history of tattooing in New York City dates back over 300 years and it began in the 1700s with the Native American tribes. So, it’s been a long road to get to where we are today. They’re more socially accepted now, but not long ago people with tattoos were heavily marginalized. Though tattoos have been around for quite a long time, they’ve become increasingly popular in America over the past two decades.

However, we can focus on some of the highlights, and today’s highlight is the history of tattooing in New York and the city’s very first woman tattoo artist, the iconic Millie Hull. Tattoos date back thousands of years, so telling its complete story is impossible to do in a single article.

Long road tattoo studio