A not so complete history of literary tattoos. (Link pinched from the blog of Jonathan Carroll.
Johannes Guttenberg invented the printing press in Germany in 1439. Samuel O’Reilly invented the modern tattoo machine in 1891. And sometime around the turn of the century the first literary tattoo was born. Whether nostalgic for the characters from a favorite children’s book or as a tribute to a favorite writer’s words, the book tattoo is a classy way to go. The lowbrow nature of the tattoo juxtaposes nicely against the highbrow art of the book. Here now, a look at some of its many forms.
Right, I’m off to get something from the books of Hemingway, or DeLillo. And I swear I’ll propose to a girl who has either of these authors’ work etched into their skin.
