The History Of Tattooing Through The Voice Of Walter Moskowitz

Feb. 9, 2012 - PRLog -- The Bowery – a slice of Manhattan that spurs memories of the cross section of a melting-pot society.  In the late 1920s, William Moskowitz, a Russian immigrant, opened a barbershop on the Bowery.  By the last ‘30s, he learned to tattoo, and thus a family dynasty was born.  Willy taught his son-in-law to tattoo, and then his sons, Stanley and Walter.

Walter and Stanley tattooed in New York City until the trade was banned in the early ‘60s.  They then formed the first commercial tattoo studio on Long Island, S&W Tattoo.  One of Walter’s son’s, Marvin, followed in his footsteps and still tattoos on Long Island today.  Walter’s youngest son, Doug, created LAST OF THE BOWERY SCAB MERCHANTS to preserve his father’s voice, memories, and sometimes ribald stories about the history of tattooing – Moskowitz style.

“I was one of the last of the original Bowery Scab merchants in New York City,” says Moskowitz in the introductory track.  He then brings listeners along for a 40-year ride.  With audio contributions from an array of those knowledgeable about the industry, from cultural anthropologist Mike McCabe, tattoo historian Chuck Eldridge, and tattoo collector and author Marisa Kakoulas, this oral history is rounded out with input from some of the most respected voices in the field.

From police raids to an influx of servicemen, from tattooing “delicate” areas to how the mechanics of tattooing evolved, LAST OF THE BOWERY SCAB MERCHANTS truly does have something for everybody – with stories and reminiscences that educate and entertain.

An unforgettable audio tour of a vanished corner of New York, the CD set comes with a color 24-page booklet with articles, classic photos, and production notes.