Sailor Jerry Collins
| Sailor Jerry | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
Norman Keith Collins January 14, 1911 Reno, Nevada |
| Died | June 12, 1973 (aged 62) Honolulu, Hawaii |
| Other names | Norman K. Collins, Norman "Sailor Jerry" Collins, NKC, Sailor Jerry, SJ, $ |
| Occupation | Tattoo artist, sailor, Musician |
| Spouse(s) | Carrie Edwards (wife) |
Norman Keith Collins (January 14, 1911 – June 12, 1973) was a prominent American tattoo artist, famous for his tattooing of sailors; he was also known as "Sailor Jerry".
An annual event now takes place in Hawaii called the "Sailor Jerry Festival" and aims to honor Collins's global influence, his many achievements, and his local ties.
Collins was born on January 14, 1911 in Reno but grew up in Northern California. As a child he hopped freight trains across the country and learned tattooing from a man named "Big Mike" from Palmer, Alaska, originally using the hand-pricking method. In the late 1920s he met Tatts Thomas from Chicago who taught him how to use a tattoo machine. He practiced on drunks brought in from Skid Row. He later sailed the Pacific Ocean before settling in Hawaii in the 1930s.
At age 19, Collins enlisted in the United States Navy. During his subsequent travels at sea, he was exposed to the art and imagery of Southeast Asia. During his career as a tattoo artist, he worked as a licensed skipper of a large three-masted schooner, on which he conducted tours of the Hawaiian islands.
In addition to sailing and tattooing, he played the saxophone in his own dance band and frequently hosted his own radio show, where he was known as "Old Ironsides".
Collins is buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, a military cemetery located in Punchbowl Crater in Honolulu.
His influence on the art of modern tattooing is undeniable and a documentary movie called "Hori Smoku" sheds a lot of light on the details. He wanted at least one of three proteges/friends – Ed Hardy, Mike Malone, or Zeke Owens – to take over his shop (or else burn it) when he died.
An annual event now takes place in Hawaii called the "Sailor Jerry Festival" to honor Collins's legacy and Chinatown roots on Oahu. The locally and independently produced event includes live music, DJ's, cabaret performances, movie screenings, a pin-up fashion show – where models wear outfits designed from Sailor Jerry flash, neighborhood tours, and tattoos available at two area shops, including Sailor Jerry's last location.
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Wikipedia