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Norman
Keith Collins
(1911-1973)
Collins,
better known as "Sailor
Jerry" in the tattoo
business, was born
in 1911. By the
1920s he was sailing
the Great Lakes,
traveling the United
States and tattooing
on the side. For
a short time Jerry
operated a shop
on South State
Street in Chicago
when he moved to
Hawaii, he rubber
stamped his new
address of 150
North Hotel Street
in Honolulu on
the South State
Street card!
Sailor Jerry worked at a few locations
in Honolulu, including 13 South
Hotel Street, as seen above, before
he settled into his 1033 Smith
Street location.
Although Jerry was world famous
for his tattooing, he had other
interests. The sea was always a
part of his life and while holding
Captain's papers in the 1950s;
he skippered a tour ship that covered
the Pearl Harbor memorial. His
study of electronics led to a first
class FCC license, and for several
years he hosted a late night talk
show on a local radio station.
On that show he was known as "Old
Ironsides", another reflection
on his interest in the sea.
For a workingman's tattoo shop
in an era where acetate stencils
were king, Jerry would make rubs
from his new designs and mail them
out to his friends. This was a
popular way for an artist to exchange
designs. A Sailor Jerry stencil
rub is shown on the left.
Sailor Jerry died June 12, 1973
and is buried at the National Memorial
Cemetery of the Pacific, (commonly
known as the "Punchbowl") in Honolulu,
Hawaii. This cemetery is located
in the crater of an extinct volcano.
The site of Jerry's grave is 124/Section
T. If you happen to find yourself
in Honolulu, stop by to say hello.
Tattoo Archive © 2002
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