Lot 117

"Mother Dear" and Other Swallow Tattoo Designs by Paul Rogers [Folk Art - Outsider] (Drayton, South Carolina, 1934) 11 x 15 in. (27.9 x 38.1 cm.)

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"Mother Dear" and Other Swallow Tattoo Designs by Paul Rogers [Folk Art - Outsider] (Drayton, South Carolina, 1934) 11 x 15 in. (27.9 x 38.1 cm.)

Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000

Current Bid: $500

(1 Bid)

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

"Mother Dear" and Other Swallow Tattoo Designs by Paul Rogers [Folk Art - Outsider]
(Drayton, South Carolina, 1934)
Hand-painted tattoo flash by Paul Rogers (1905-1990), Drayton, South Carolina, 1934. Signed and dated lower right. Ink and watercolor on board.

Provenance: Collection of Frank Carter.

This sheet, among the earliest known examples of Paul Rogers's work, is one of a small group of flash acquired by tattoo artist J.D. Crowe from Claude Franklin "Carolina Slim" Deal (1903-1987). Crowe later discovered that the blacked-out corners concealed the artist's name. According to Rogers, the sheet had been used by him throughout the 1930s and 1940s but disappeared when Cap Coleman's shop in Norfolk was shuttered following a ban on tattooing. Deal had been working alongside Rogers at Coleman's shop at the time, and it is believed that he left with the flash when the artists went their separate ways.

  • Dimensions: 11 x 15 in. (27.9 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