Pigment of Your Imagination: The Secret History of Women's Tattoos

Would it surprise you to learn that more American women than men have tattoos? Would you be shocked to learn that tattoos were a trend among the upper class during Victorian times and considered a fashion trend? When the book Bodies of Subversion: A Secret History of Women and Tattoo was first released in 1997 it was the first history of women's tattoo art. Author, Margot Mifflin, updated the introduction for a new edition in 2001 then updated and expanded it in the third edition because so much has happened for women in tattooing over the past decade: more women are tattooed, more women are doing great work as tattooists, and, for the first time in history, more women are tattooed in the U.S. than men. (According to the latest Harris Poll, tattooed women (23%) now outnumber men (19%) in the U.S.)

The book is a real page-turner, not only because of Mifflin's superb research and writing but the photos she chose for the book are simply jaw-dropping. Bodies of Subversion contains many never-before-seen photos of tattooed women from the last century, 7 of which you'll see in the slideshow below. - By Monica Bielanko

MORE ON BABBLE
24 totally awesome Disney tribute tattoos
19 truly regrettable tattoos
25 failed baby tattoos