Lot 69

"Lone Star State" and Other Tattoo Designs by "Diamond Ray" Harter [Texas - Military Police] (Possibly Florida, ca. 1954) Frame: 16 x 22 in. (40.6 x 55.9 cm.)

Previous image preload Next image preload

"Lone Star State" and Other Tattoo Designs by "Diamond Ray" Harter [Texas - Military Police] (Possibly Florida, ca. 1954) Frame: 16 x 22 in. (40.6 x 55.9 cm.)

Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000

Starting Bid: $1,500

(0 Bids)

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

"Lone Star State" and Other Tattoo Designs by "Diamond Ray" Harter [Texas - Military Police]
(Possibly Florida, ca. 1954)
Hand-painted tattoo flash by Raymond Addison Harter (1895-1956), aka "Sailor" Ray, aka "Diamond Ray," possibly Jacksonville, Florida, 1954. Signed "Ray" lower right. Ink and watercolor on paper. In original frame behind glass.

"Sailor" Ray Harter cut his teeth in the tattoo business during WWI, when he did a brisk trade covering the arms and chests of fellow enlisted men. Indianapolis and Detroit were his home base during those early years, though he frequently travelled with carnivals and sideshows throughout the South and Midwest. Harter also worked as a tattooed attraction and fire-eater and performed a death-defying impalement act with his wife Helen. He later changed his needle name to "Diamond" Ray on account of the four diamonds he had embedded in his upper front teeth. By the late 1940s, Harter had relocated to Jacksonville, Florida, where he tattooed for several years. His identity is confirmed by another sheet of flash in a private collection that bears his name, initials and Social Security Number.

  • Dimensions: Frame: 16 x 22 in. (40.6 x 55.9 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.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, COD (cash on delivery), Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Bray & Co. does not offer in-house shipping. Shipping and all associated costs are the responsibility of the buyer. A list of preferred shippers and carriers is available upon request. Bray & Co. shall have no liability for any loss, damage or delay from the packing or shipping of property by a third party. If you have questions about shipping, please contact us at [email protected] or (603) 427-8281.

Items can be picked up in person by appointment only at our gallery at 33 Jewell Court in Portsmouth, NH. Please contact us at least 24 hours in advance of pickup. *All first-time buyers that wish to pick items up in person must pay with cash.

Bray & Co. Auctions

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 28% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

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