Lot 118

Liberty Family Tattoo Shop Sign [Scollay Square - Trade Sign - Vancouver] (Boston, ca. 1940) 60 x 1 x 15 in. (152.4 x 2.5 x 38.1 cm.)

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Liberty Family Tattoo Shop Sign [Scollay Square - Trade Sign - Vancouver] (Boston, ca. 1940) 60 x 1 x 15 in. (152.4 x 2.5 x 38.1 cm.)

Estimate: $6,000 - $8,000

Starting Bid: $4,500

(0 Bids)

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

Liberty Family Tattoo Shop Sign [Scollay Square - Trade Sign - Vancouver]
(Boston, ca. 1940)
Rare vertical tattoo shop sign used by generations of the Liberty family of tattoo artists. The sign passed down through Ted Liberty (1912-1976), youngest son of pioneering Boston tattooer Edward "Dad" Liberty (1883-1957). Much of Ted's collection consisted of original artwork and ephemera inherited from his father and brother Frank Liberty (1904-1956), material Ted gathered following their deaths in 1956 and 1957, when Ted briefly returned to Boston. He subsequently transported the collection north through Canada, eventually settling in Vancouver, where the present sign could be seen hanging in the entryway of his final tattoo shop on East Hastings Street. Paint on Masonite panel, mounted in its original nailed wood frame.

Literature: Loud, Naked, and Three Colors: The Liberty Boys and the History of Tattooing in Boston, by Derin Bray and Margaret Hodges (2020).

  • Dimensions: 60 x 1 x 15 in. (152.4 x 2.5 x 38.1 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