Charlie Wagner’s ‘Chatham Electric Tattooing’ Enterprise
Original Research by Carmen Nyssen, including indepth genealogical study in foreign archives (Though Charlie Wagner was said to be of Jewish ethnicity, records confirm he was German. See my research on Find-a-Grave and the Charlie Wagner biographical sketch)
Charlie Wagner’s prosperous—circa 1919 to 1922—New York Bowery tattoo operation is one for the record books. From the beginning (despite a few legal run-ins for tattooing young children in 1899, 1902, and 1906), Wagner had steadily forged ahead with his tattoo career: patenting a tattoo machine in 1904, starting one of the earliest tattoo supply companies by 1902, and generally making a name for himself in the trade. By 1913, he was operating from two locations, a flourishing tattoo shop at 11 Chatham Square and a busy factory at 208 Bowery, where he manufactured tattoo machines and other tattoo supplies. When World War I hit, in 1917, a boom in tattoo business, ushered in by thousands of military men getting tattooed, catapulted his already successful operation to a whole new level and provided the momentum to continue growing in the years just following.
Wagner Expands Tattoo Business
By November of 1919, a year after the war’s end, business was thriving so much Wagner expanded operations to include a mail order office at 10 Chatham Square, next door to the tattoo shop. For his cumulative accomplishments, Billboard Magazine lauded him as the “logical successor” to the Bowery’s illustrious Sam O’Reilly.
1919 Nov 15 Billboard pg. 77
“Wagner Takes More Space-New York, Nov 8.-Prof. Charles Wagner, the noted New York tattooer and dealer in tattooing artists’ supplies, finds that his business has grown to such large proportions that he has engaged additional quarters. While he is still at the old stand on Chatham Square he occupies floor space next door to same, where he handles his extensive mail order business. Prof. Wagner is no doubt the logical successor of the late Prof. Reilly, who up to fifteen years ago, conducted a studio where Prof. Wagner is now located.”
This marked the start of a several-year high point in business for Wagner. That the 1919-1922 juncture was a significant one in his career is evidenced by several incredible photos illustrating his various shops. One of them, depicting Wagner’s tattoo locations at 10 & 11 Chatham Square, dates to between November of 1919 and 1922. Wagner placed weekly ads in Billboard Magazine and the first to mention both 10 & 11 Chatham Square appears in the November 1, 1919 issue [pg. 69]. By 1922, supply ads do not list 10 Chatham Square.
10 & 11 Chatham Square
Wagner’s Tattoo Team
As seen in the above photo, Wagner was not alone in his tattoo endeavors. It was at just this time that he handpicked a top-notch team of tattooers, who helped push the boundaries of his enterprise even further and sealed his place—and their own—in tattoo history.
Bob Wicks
Bob Wicks, one of the great flash painters and tattooers of his generation, became a partner at the ‘Chatham Electric Tattooing’ establishment around this time. Wicks was just breaking into the trade, but was apparently talented enough to garner Wagner’s attention. According to an interview in Fred and Mary Fried’s America’s Forgotten Folk Arts [pg. 167], he started tattooing with human pin cushion-balloonist-tattooer-supplier,Bert Thompson, in 1916-1917, and “…after several weeks together on Worth Street near Chatham Square … was sent for by Charlie Wagner …”
The below Billboard Magazine ads/notices document that Wagner actually called for the burgeoning artist around 1919. Ads first place Bert Thompson in New York City at the 203 Worth address in August of 1919. Sometime between then and December, Wicks partnered with Thompson. According to a Billboard Magazine notice, he had left Thompson by December 20th to tattoo with Wagner.
1919 Aug 3 Billboard pg. 81
“Capt. Bert Thompson-World’s tattooed pin cushion. Studio 203 Worth St., New York City.”1919 Sept 27 Billboard pg. 57
“Painless Bert-Still doing a land office business at 203 Worth Street, New York City.”1919 Nov 1 Billboard pg. 69
Bert Thompson 203 Worth st. and Chatham Sq. New York City
Charles Wagner 10 & 11 Chatham Sq., and 208 Bowery N.Y. City1919 Dec 20 Billboard pg. 98
“Tattooing Artists-Xmas Greetings to All. Prof. Bob Weeks [sic], the young sensation, Comic Artist, and Tattooer, is now sharing Tattooing Studios at one of Wagner’s places on Chatham Square, New York, as Prof. Lew Alberts has opened a studio in Brooklyn, New York.”
Adam Ogint
While Wicks was known for his artistic abilities, Wagner’s other associates had their own set of talents. The man to the right of Wagner in the 10 & 11 Chatham Square photo (though labeled “Bob Wicks”) was Wagner’s tattoo partner and electrical expert, Adam Ogint. An avid inventor, Ogint, had earned a PhD in chemistry at both German and American universities (as noted in his obituary), and he was proficient in electrical work. Just prior to arriving in New York he had been working as an electrician in St. Louis. He came to New York shortly after the World War I draft in June of 1917 and partnered with Wagner .
Lew Alberts
Another of the crew, Lew Alberts (aka Albert Kurzman), had worked with Wagner on-and-off since 1904, when he signed as a witness on Wagner’s tattoo machine patent (see Early Tinkerers of Electric Tattooing article). As a graduate of New York’s Hebrew Technical Institute, Alberts was well-versed in a variety of metal working and technical skills, and was said to have created new and improved tattoo designs that enhanced the tattoo trade. In 1918, Alberts removed to Norfolk, Virginia to work with Harry Lawson for a short time, but by 1919 he was back in New York City (see Harry V. Lawson’s Norfolk Tattoo Shop article). Though a Billboard Magazine states that he had opened his own tattoo shop in Brooklyn in December of that year, photographs and documents show that he remained connected with Wagner.
A 208 Bowery Tattoo Innovation
Given their technical backgrounds, Wicks and Alberts probably contributed heavily to Wagner’s tattoo supply business and related innovations …notwithstanding, a particularly forward-thinking invention that has, thus far, slipped through the cracks of written history.
Around 1920, at his 208 Bowery factory, Wagner innovated a device intended to better facilitate the tattooing process. On March 25, 1920, he filed a patent for a tattoo-trade-specific rheostat.
1) One that would more suitably regulate electrical current for tattooing
2) One that his tattoo supply business could assemble and ship practically and inexpensively
3) One that was portable and electrically adaptable so tattooers could travel with it and use it in any work situation (AC or DC current).
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“To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, Charles Wagner, a citizen of the United States, residing at #208 Bowery, in the city of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrical Current Control Devices, of which the following, is a specification. This invention relates to electrical current controlling devices and more particularly a device somewhat similar to a rheostat for reducing current either alternating or direct. One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a device of the above character particularly adapted for use in connection with electrical instruments such, for example, as a tattooing needle which will be of simple and practical construction, inexpensive to manufacture and assemble and which will be reliable and efficient in use and operation. A further object is to provide a small, compact, self-contained device particularly adapted for the above use which may be easily packed and shipped and quickly put into operation regardless of whether the source of current is of the alternating or direct variety.” “…In this manner, the current entering the device may be at the customary 110 volts which is reduced at the binding posts D and E to anywhere from 0 to 30 volts as required, the electric current being automatically balanced between these points.”
Just as with his 1904 electric tattoo machine patent, Wagner’s right-hand man Lew Alberts (Albert Kurzman) was a witness to the 1920 patent, as was his new partner Adam Ogint.
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After some adjustments to the patent claims, the patent was finally granted in September of 1921. It’s unclear if Wagner’s invention was the first of its kind in use, whether it worked well, or whether it was even manufactured. But his comment in a 1927 East Coast Mechanic Quarterly interview indicates that he had indeed patented and implemented some new method of tattooing in recent years:
“I alone have concocted a unique, patented system based upon tested scientific principles that has rendered my technique absolutely painless.”
Whatever the outcome of the patent, Wagner’s business growth, his recruitment of an immensely talented crew, and his ingenious patent idea for a trade-specific electrical conductor, all suggest that like his predecessor Sam O’Reilly he was constantly striving to improve upon both his own business and the tattoo trade as a whole.
Fire Destroys Tattoo Factory at 208 Bowery
As a testament to Wagner’s business fortitude, his patent was in the works right in the midst of a major blow to his growing enterprise. In January of 1920, Wagner’s 208 Bowery factory succumbed to an all-consuming fire that took with it his supply equipment as well as items he had inherited from Sam O’Reilly.
1920 Jan 31 Billboard pg. 71
“Professor Charles Wagner, proprietor of the Chatham Electric Tattooing establishment in New York is rapidly rehabilitating his business following a recent disastrous fire which completely destroyed his plant.”
But the unwavering Wagner—no doubt with the help of his business partners—had his operation up and running again almost immediately. A Billboard Magazine ad notes that he had completely recovered from his losses by March 6th, just before he filed for the rheostat patent. Throughout the ordeal, his supply ads never once stopped listing all business locations, including 208 Bowery.
1920 Mar 6 Billboard pg. 86
“Wagner Again Established-New York, Feb 25.-Chas. Wagner, the well-known tattooer, is again established at his old studio 11 Chatham Square, and his business has entirely recovered from the fire that completely destroyed his outfit plant. Prof. Wagner, as he is familiarly known, succeeded Reilly the noted tattooer of years ago, on this spot, and some of the latter’s effects were also burned up, they having remained with Wagner since Reilly’s death, over fifteen years ago.”
Later Views of the Building at 208 Bowery
203 Worth Street Tattoo Factory
In fact, the fire barely hindered the ‘Chatham Electric Tattooing’ enterprise. By October of 1920, the operation increased in size by yet one more location. In the one-week period between October 16th and 23rd, Bert Thompson’s 203 Worth Street tattoo studio changed hands to Wagner.
1920 Oct 16 Billboard
Bert Thompson, 203 Worth st., New York City
Charles Wagner 10 & 11 Chatham Sq., and 208 Bowery N.Y. City
Chas. Wagner, 11 Chatham, 208 Bowery, NYC1920 Oct 23 Billboard pg. 56
Wagner, 203 Worth st., New York City
Charles Wagner 10 & 11 Chatham Square and 208 Bowery, N.Y. City
By the end of the year, if not from the start, the 203 Worth Street branch was used as both a tattoo studio and tattoo supply factory. From the time he moved into 203 Worth, until March of 1921, Wagner advertised all four locations.
1920 Dec 18 Billboard pg. 132
Electric Tattooing Machines are always three for $10.00, including 24 springs, 24 Needle Bars, extra tubes, Cords and Screws. Others buy them and sell them at $10.00 each, why not you? Merry Xmas to all. Prof. Wagner. Office 11 Chatham Square. Factory, 203 Worth St., New York City.”1920 Dec 25 Billboard pg. 64
Needles for Tattooing-Wagner, 203 Worth st., New York City
The story of Wagner’s 203 Worth acquisition is where the second amazing tattoo studio photo fits in. To date, the shop in the below image, boasting his talented tattoo crew, has been identified as 11 Chatham Square. However, it is most definitely a photo of Wagner’s 203 Worth Street tattoo factory/tattoo shop (See photos in next section). And it represents a momentous, if brief, moment in Wagner’s career.
Wagner’s 203 Worth Street Tattoo Factory
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Although Wagner only operated the 203 Worth branch of ‘Chatham Electric Tattooing’ for about five months, it was, as per the notation on the building, “The Largest Studio in New York.” Together with the three other locations, Wagner was likely running the biggest tattoo operation in the country—by far.
The four tattoo studio, factory, and mail order branches would have required a large team of workers. As noted in the 203 Worth photo, by this time Wagner had brought on another partner, an electrician and tattooer named Joe Van Hart (Joseph Grover Van Hart), who would continue working with him for a good number of years.
Henk Schiffmacher’s The Encyclopedia For the Art and History of Tattooing [pg. 464] includes a photo of the inside of one of Wagner’s tattoo shops from the 1919-1922 period showing signs with a few more tattoo artist names. In addition to Alberts, Wicks, Wagner, Ogint, and Van Hart, the banners name a Voorhies, S. Wagner (Stephen Wagner, Charlie’s brother), and Ernest L. Goodman.
203 Worth Photographic & Historical Evidence
203 Worth was located in Chinatown next to 200 Park Row, actually corner building where Mott Street, Worth Street, Park Row, and Chatham Square met (200 Park Row/1 Mott/205 Worth). A year prior to Bert Thompson’s arrival in New York, the entire corner property had been leased by pharmacist Edward Santagata. By September of 1920, Santagata finally purchased the property outright.
Santagata was a well-known Bowery character, who had worked as a pharmacist in the neighborhood since shortly after the turn of the century— many of these years in the corner building, which housed the Chatham Square Pharmacy. Considering his locale and the fact that he rented space to tattoo artists, it’s quite possible he was one of the pharmacists who sold early Bowery tattooers cocaine to numb the skin for tattooing. As an aside, in 1907, after the laws regarding cocaine had changed to require a doctors prescription, Santagata was caught selling the drug to local addicts and sentenced to one year in the penitentiary.
For context of the street setting, this later 1941 photo shows the corner building (left) at 200 Park Row/1 Mott Street/205 Worth, the Chatham Square Pharmacy. A portion of 203 Worth can be seen just to the left of it. 1 Chatham Square is across the street to the right.
Map: Corner of Worth, Mott, Park Row, and Chatham Square.
203 Worth is just to the left of the corner building at 205 Worth/200 Park Row/1 Mott.
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The below photo shows 203 Worth (right forefront) in 1919, just before Bert Thompson moved in.
Note the wooden facade and large windows, just as in the photo of Wagner’s shop.
You can see the facade a bit better in this close up, 203 Worth is the rightmost building, in the forefront.
This Illustration shows 203 Worth after Bert Thompson moved in.
Notice “The Largest Studio in New York” and the “Sanitary” signs, which are also depicted in the photo of Wagner’s shop
Wagner’s Tattoo Business Downsizes
Whether it was because of the slowdown in tattooing after World War I, disputes among his business partners, or otherwise, Wagner’s enterprise had been reduced to only two locations by 1922 (11 Chatham Square and 208 Bowery), and most of his crew had split up. Still, Wagner’s downsized tattoo shop and supply company prospered until the stock market crash in 1929 and the ensuing 1930s economic depression.
Adam Ogint’s Patent Agency
As an interesting aside, Adam Ogint donated his tattoo equipment to the New York Natural History Museum in 1923 and soon opened a patent agency at the 203 Worth location. He operated there from at least 1926-1928, and according to his obituary, worked closely with Thomas Edison.
Notes:
1) According to Trow’s City Directory, Wagner had established three locations by 1913: 4 & 11 Chatham Square & 208 Bowery. But the situation seems to have been short-lived, as subsequent directory listings only record him at 11 Chatham Square and 208 Bowery.
2) Image of Bob Wicks: Santa Cruz Evening News, Feb 24 1934. Print.
3) Image of Adam Ogint: Washington, D.C.; The National Archives and Records Administration; Application for Seaman´s Protection Certificates; NAI: 2788575; Record Group Title: Records of the Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation; Record Group Number: 41; Box Number: 506 – New York
4) Image of Lew Alberts Tattooing, The Forward, Sept 18, 1927. Print.
5) For all Wagner’s success, and as much as he influenced tattooing, there is little surviving physical evidence of his career. A rumor that all his effects were tossed in the city dump when he died might account for part of the missing artifacts. But the fire in his 208 Bowery factory probably accounts for a great deal of loss too. Not to mention, another catastrophic fire Wagner experienced in 1928.
1928 Oct 20 Billboard pg. 68
“Prof. Wagner’s Hard Luck-Prof. Charles Wagner, Bowery tattooer, who is also known as Zero, the missionary, had his studio, containing records, letters, and apparatus, completely destroyed by fire recently. But he is an optimist and has never lost heart and in a remarkably short time transferred his activities to his old stand in Chatham Square, where he has conducted a branch studio for 20 years.”
6)Edward Santagata
1918 June 22 New York Sun pg. 6
“Louis Carreau has leased to Edward Santagata the buildings at 180 Park Row, 3 Mott street, and 201-203 Worth street..”
1920 Sept 3 New York Tribune pg. 15
Chinatown Buildings Sold-The Globe and Rutgers Fire Insurance Company sold to Edward Santagata the group of four-story buildings at the junction of Mott and Worth streets, facing Chatham Square, and known as 1 and 8 Mott Street. The property has a frontage of 64.1 feet on Mott and about 85 feet on Worth Street.”
7) Adam Ogint Agency
1925 Sep 13 New York Times pg. E15
Business Opportunities: “Your ideas are worth money. We sell your patent; quick results; models designed; experienced engineers; capital financed on terms; Ogint 1013; 1457 Broadway”
1926 New York City Directory pg. 818 -Patent and Model Makers
A. Ogint 203 Worth
1927 New York City Directory pg. 926 -Patent and Model Makers
A. Ogint 203 Worth
1928 New York City Directory pg. 925 -Patent and Model Makers
A. Ogint 203 Worth
For further research on Charlie Wagner’s tattoo career see Buzzworthy Tattoo History posts:
Charlie Wagner, King of Bowery Tattooers
Wagner, Tattooer, Quips With Fred Allen
New York Tattoo Shops at 5 & 11 Chatham Square
Early Tinkerers of Electric Tattooing
Battleship Kate, New York City’s Tattooed Sailor Groupie
Willie Moskowitz Bowery Barber-Tattoo Artist
And for further Lew Alberts’ history see:
“Lew the Jew” Alberts, Hardy Marks publication, major biographical research/content by Carmen Forquer Nyssen
Bowery Tattoo History
New York Bowery Posts on Buzzworthy