In 1904, Wagner secured the second American tattoo machine patent. Afterwards, he went on to become one of the most successful tattoo machine manufacturers of his era. During the 1910s, he continued tattooing out of his shop at 11 Chatham Square, but also expanded his business to include a machine shop at 208 Bowery, where he operated a very lucrative tattoo supply company, and two other short-lived shops at 10 Chatham Square and 203 Worth. Although he lost much of his fortune when the Depression hit in the 1930s, he persevered. For the remainder of his years, he endured as an iconic figure in tattooing.
See my website Buzzworthy Tattoo History for more of Charlie Wagner's history. Link in profile.
Though Wagner probably died in Manhattan around 1952-1953, an exact date of death isn't known. Although tattoo lore gives the date as January 1, 1953, a matching record doesn't exist.
Wagner reported his middle name "Falstaff" in a 1920s magazine interview. But that is the only documentation of it.
In 1904, Wagner secured the second American tattoo machine patent. Afterwards, he went on to become one of the most successful tattoo machine manufacturers of his era. During the 1910s, he continued tattooing out of his shop at 11 Chatham Square, but also expanded his business to include a machine shop at 208 Bowery, where he operated a very lucrative tattoo supply company, and two other short-lived shops at 10 Chatham Square and 203 Worth. Although he lost much of his fortune when the Depression hit in the 1930s, he persevered. For the remainder of his years, he endured as an iconic figure in tattooing.
See my website Buzzworthy Tattoo History for more of Charlie Wagner's history. Link in profile.
Though Wagner probably died in Manhattan around 1952-1953, an exact date of death isn't known. Although tattoo lore gives the date as January 1, 1953, a matching record doesn't exist.
Wagner reported his middle name "Falstaff" in a 1920s magazine interview. But that is the only documentation of it.
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