Lot 115

U.S. Navy and Other Tattoo Designs by Owen Jensen [Nu Pike - Folk Art - Outsider] 11 x 14 in. (27.9 x 35.6 cm.)

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U.S. Navy and Other Tattoo Designs by Owen Jensen [Nu Pike - Folk Art - Outsider] 11 x 14 in. (27.9 x 35.6 cm.)

Estimate: $2,500 - $3,500

Starting Bid: $2,000

(0 Bids)

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

U.S. Navy and Other Tattoo Designs by Owen Jensen [Nu Pike - Folk Art - Outsider]
Hand-painted tattoo flash by Owen Jensen (1891-1976), Los Angeles, California, ca. 1945. Signed "Owen Jensen" lower right. Verso with inscribed dates recording Jensen's later retouching of the work. Ink and watercolor on paper.

Owen Jensen began tattooing around World War I and went on to become one of the foremost tattooers and flash painters of his generation, celebrated for his bold, clean designs. In 1944, he met "Dainty Dotty," then performing as the "fat lady" with the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus, and the two married the following year. They first worked together in Detroit before moving to Los Angeles, where they operated a successful tattoo shop and supply business. Jensen's long career ended on the Nu-Pike in Long Beach at the shop of Lee Roy Minugh.

  • Dimensions: 11 x 14 in. (27.9 x 35.6 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