Tattoo Flash and Underground Art 2026-04-09 Auction - 297 Price Results - Potter & Potter Auctions in IL - Page 4
Hand Painted Sign for Seven Seas Tattoo StudioOriginal Ink and Watercolor Portrait Flash Sheet. NYC: Bowery, ca. 1900-1930s.Death Before Dishonor Flash Sheet by Tex Rowe, ca. 1940s-1950s
Done
Chicago, IL, United States
Auction Details

Tattoo Flash and Underground Art

Potter & Potter Auctions is pleased to announce a landmark auction of tattoo art and memorabilia to be held April 9, 2026. This sale celebrates both the rich history of early-twentieth century tattooing and the life and legacy of legendary tattooer and underground cultural luminary Jonathan Shaw. The auction features over 150 lots of tattoo flash sheets from the hands of old-school masters (Bert Grimm, Cliff Raven), alongside rare and personally inscribed material from the lives and careers of Charles Bukowski, Johnny Depp, and R. Crumb. Among the most popular artforms of the modern era, tattoo art, flash, and memorabilia has become wildly collectible in recent years. These offerings from Shaw?s collection ? among the best of its kind ? are expected to fetch more than $250,000.00 at the fall of the auctioneer?s hammer. Founder of New York City?s oldest tattoo shop, Fun City Tattoo, Shaw is widely recognized as an authority on tattoo history. His lifelong preservation of the medium?s material culture is chronicled in his critically acclaimed memoir, Scab Vendor: Confessions of a Tattoo Artist (Turner, 2017), a record of his singular journey from the cultural underbelly to the mainstream, chronicling the forces that helped propel tattooing into broader public consciousness. Shaw?s client list included names like Johnny Depp, The Cure, The Velvet Underground, The Ramones, Marilyn Manson, Orlando Bloom, Tupac Shakur, and Jim Jarmusch. The auction will be held live at Potter & Potter?s gallery at 5001 W. Belmont Avenue in Chicago and simultaneously streamed live on potterauctions.com.
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SOLD
Twelve Hand-Colored Flash Designs by Paul Rogers: Paul Rogers (American, 1905-1999). Twelve Hand-Colored Flash Designs by Paul Rogers. Unsigned. Twelve ink-and-watercolor dedication flash designs with ribbons for customization. 14 x 11". Light even
0075: Twelve Hand-Colored Flash Designs by Paul RogersEst. $900-$1,200
SOLD
Coney Island Joe Three Design Flash Sheet, 1980s: Coney Island Joe (American, active 20th Century). Coney Island Joe Three Design Flash Sheet, 1980s. Unsigned. Three hand-colored flash designs on board. 11 x 14". Light toning with foxing present;
0077: Coney Island Joe Three Design Flash Sheet, 1980sEst. $400-$600
SOLD
Favorites of Bob Shaw Four Design Flash Sheet: Bob Shaw (1926-1993). "Favorites of Bob Shaw" Four Design Flash Sheet. Four ink and watercolor flash designs on board. 7 1/2 x 16 1/2". Moderate toning to sheet with spot staining across sheet;
0079: Favorites of Bob Shaw Four Design Flash SheetEst. $1,000-$1,800
SOLD
Bob Shaw Single Peacock Design Flash Sheet: Bob Shaw (1926-1993). Bob Shaw Single Peacock Design Flash Sheet. Single ink and watercolor peacock motif. Signed to the lower right margin. pinholes to sheet corners. 11 x 6 1/2". Edge wear;
0080: Bob Shaw Single Peacock Design Flash SheetEst. $700-$1,200
SOLD
Bob Shaw Flash Sheet w/ Two Designs: Bob Shaw (1926-1993). Bob Shaw Flash Sheet w/ Two Designs. Unsigned. Two 3" ink and watercolor designs. 10 x 7 1/2". Moderate toning and soiling. pinholes to corners. Provenance: The Jonathan Shaw
0081: Bob Shaw Flash Sheet w/ Two DesignsEst. $800-$1,200
SOLD
Bob Shaw Eight Design Flash Sheet. Long Beach, 1960s: Bob Shaw (1926-1993). Long Beach: The Velvet Touch Tattooing by the Shaw Boys, 1960s. Ink and watercolor drawings on board featuring a Geisha, Bald Eagles, sailor pinup, and more. 15 x 20." Toning
0086: Bob Shaw Eight Design Flash Sheet. Long Beach, 1960sEst. $1,200-$1,800
SOLD
Skulls and mouse tattoo designs by Bob Shaw.: Skulls and mouse tattoo designs by Bob Shaw. Long Beach, ca. 1980s. Ink and watercolor on board. 12 x 6". Provenance: Collection of Jonathan Shaw.
0087: Skulls and mouse tattoo designs by Bob Shaw.Est. $800-$1,200
SOLD
Bob Shaw Black Panther and Bull Dog Flash Sheet: Bob Shaw (1926-1993). Bob Shaw Black Panther and Bull Dog Flash Sheet. Unsigned. Two ink and watercolor flash designs on paper. 10 x 6". Toning to sheet. Scattered spot staining and stray marks.
0090: Bob Shaw Black Panther and Bull Dog Flash SheetEst. $600-$900
SOLD
Bob Shaw Studios Tattoo Flash with Japanese Imagery: Bob Shaw (1926-1993). Bob Shaw Studios, 20th Century. Four ink and watercolor designs influenced by the Japanese style, including a dragon and foo dog. 14 x 11". Pinholes along edges, toning across
0095: Bob Shaw Studios Tattoo Flash with Japanese ImageryEst. $1,000-$1,600