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16 October 2014

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Prince Vallar & Sons

There are 5 messages in this section.

Researcher from Glasgow. Posted 22 Jun 2004.
One of the first professional tattooists to operate a parlour in the UK was Prince Vallar. He began tattooing in Glasgow around 1915 before establishing his Argyle Street shop around 1935. He worked there for approx 15 years before passing on his legacy to his sons Robert and Stephen. Robert worked in the shop until 1965 when the shop was demolished to make way for the Anderston Shopping Centre.

The Vallars were revered worldwide for their skills as tattoo artists. They were recognised for their fine lines and details and were often copied and imitated by others worldwide. I have published a website dedicated to their memory at www.princevallar.co.uk

I am currently working on a book on tattooing in Scotland from 1915 -1985. I would love to hear from anyone who has a memory, story or information about tattooing during this period. I would be most interested in hearing about Prince Vallar, Dirty Dicke, Jimmy Todd or Jimmy Johnstone, all tattooists during this period. Thanks in advance for any help!

jim mckee from glasgow. Posted 12 Aug 2004.
Hi Terry
I read your ad in the glaswegian and it brought back memories. I went to Prince Vallars in 1954 and after bucking up the courage got my first 2 tattoos on my forearms, costing 5/-. About 6 months later I was having a drink in the "Whitehall Bar"in Renfield street with 2 or 3 mates and one said where did you get the tattoos? Needless to say when we left the pub we all ended up at prince vallars where i spent 15/6 pence on another 4 .
The tattoos I got are as bright as the day I got them they have lost none of their colour I have nothing else to add but to wish you every success in writing your book.
Yours sincerely Jim McKee

Dave Bremner from Fyvie. Posted 11 May 2005.
I remember verywell having my first tatoos done at Prince Vallar's shop on 1947 prior to joining the Royal Navy. I made 2 further visits for more tatoos in 1949 & 1953. What I remember most is the professional way they each carried out a very personal procedure. the artistry was 2nd to none. It is as fresh in my memory today as what happened yesterday.

Marianne Taylor from Falkirk. Posted 6 Apr 2006.
I think it might have been Jimmy Todd that my Granpaw went to as I remember talk of something that would have probably been the shop at Chapel Lane, and the period of time referred to would have been before Johnny Silver was in Falkirk. If its the same Jimmy Todd who later lived in Grangemouth, then I knew him but I haven't seen him for about 9 years.

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