Lot 132

"Crude Work Covered" Tattoo Artist Shop Sign by George Burchett [Trade Sign - Japanese] (London, ca. 1910) 15 1/2 x 11 3/4 in. (39.4 x 29.8 cm.)

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"Crude Work Covered" Tattoo Artist Shop Sign by George Burchett [Trade Sign - Japanese] (London, ca. 1910) 15 1/2 x 11 3/4 in. (39.4 x 29.8 cm.)

Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000

Current Bid: $2,000

(1 Bid)

by Bray & Co. Auctions
July 26, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
33 Jewell Court
Portsmouth, NH, US 03801

"Crude Work Covered" Tattoo Artist Shop Sign by George Burchett [Trade Sign - Japanese]
(London, ca. 1910)
Rare hand-painted tattoo flash shop sign by famed British tattoo artist George Burchett (1872-1953), London, ca. 1905. Featuring Japanese dragons, mythic beasts, cranes, and other figures with the inscriptions: "Crude Work Covered or Removed / G. Burchett / Tattoo Artist." This sign appears in several period depictions of Burchett's shop, including two views from the1950s reproduced here for reference. Ink and watercolor on Whatman's illustration board.

George Burchett, widely celebrated as the "King of Tattooists," stands among the most influential figures in the history of Western tattooing and is arguably the most important British tattoo artist of the twentieth century. Working primarily from his famed studios in London's Waterloo district, Burchett helped elevate tattooing from a marginal trade into an internationally recognized profession, attracting a clientele said to have included royalty, aristocrats, military officers, performers, and society figures from across Europe and beyond. Renowned for his technical sophistication, refined draftsmanship, and pioneering use of large-scale Japanese-inspired imagery, Burchett exerted enormous influence over generations of tattoo artists in Britain, Europe, and the United States. Today, his surviving artwork and ephemera are regarded as some of the rarest and most historically significant material in the field of tattoo history and folk art.

  • Dimensions: 15 1/2 x 11 3/4 in. (39.4 x 29.8 cm.)
  • Condition: Bray & Co. Auctions is committed to providing accurate and thorough catalog descriptions, but prospective bidders are strongly encouraged to examine property in person or request additional information prior to bidding. Condition statements are offered solely as a courtesy and reflect our general observations at the time of cataloging; they should not be regarded as complete or definitive descriptions of condition, nor as a warranty or guarantee of any kind. Certain imperfections, restorations, or signs of wear may not be specifically noted in written reports but may be visible in the accompanying photographs, which form part of the overall condition description. Please consult our Terms of Sale for additional information, and contact Bray & Co. Auctions with any questions or requests for supplemental photographs or condition details.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000