Lot 164

Forty-Five Page Book of Tattoo Designs by Ben Corday (Los Angeles, ca. 1918) 8 x 5 1/4 in. (20.3 x 13.3 cm.)

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Forty-Five Page Book of Tattoo Designs by Ben Corday (Los Angeles, ca. 1918) 8 x 5 1/4 in. (20.3 x 13.3 cm.)

Estimate: $10,000 - $20,000

Starting Bid: $10,000

(0 Bids)

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

Forty-Five Page Book of Tattoo Designs by Ben Corday
(Los Angeles, ca. 1918)
Partially illustrated.

An exceptional book containing forty-five [45] pages of hand-painted tattoo flash art by pioneering artist Ben Corday (1875-1938), Los Angeles, California, ca. 1918. It was among the personal collection of Boston tattoo artist Edward "Dad" Liberty (1883-1957), who likely acquired it during a trip to the west coast in 1923, where he met and worked alongside some of the era's greatest tattoo artists. Ink and watercolor on paper. Cloth hardcover stamped "Sketches" on front.

Ben Corday was among the most influential tattoo artists of the early twentieth century and a pioneering figure in the development of American tattoo flash. Born in England and trained as a Scots Guardsman, Corday emigrated to the United States and eventually established himself as a tattoo artist in Los Angeles, where he operated one of the best-known tattoo studios on the West Coast. Renowned for his elegant draftsmanship, balanced compositions, and unusually refined use of color, Corday helped elevate tattoo flash from purely functional shop display material into a distinctive graphic art form. Though his career was cut short by health problems, Corday's surviving flash ranks among the rarest and most celebrated works of early tattoo art.

Literature: For a facsimile edition of this book, accompanied by an essay by Rich Hardy, see Late of the Guards: Tattoo Designs by Ben Corday (2023).

  • Dimensions: 8 x 5 1/4 in. (20.3 x 13.3 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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$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