Journey from ink to skin with this book, a glorious full-color celebration of the history and craft of tattooing. From the earliest known origins of tattooing to the latest trends, this gorgeously illustrated guide offers a deep look at the culture of American Traditional style tattoos. Tattoo aficionado and historian Verena Hutter profiles not just the key tattoo artists who inspired the style, such as Sailor Jerry, Bert Grimm, and Dainty Dottie, but also the meanings and origins behind some of the most iconic designs found in tattoo shops across the globe She traces the indelible “I love Mom” tattoo back to a 19th-century folk song sung by Irish sailors and reveals the significance of eagles, skulls, horseshoes, lighthouses, and dozens of other designs.