National Tattoo Association Archive, 1985–2018: 31 Annual Tatoo Convention Booklets, 23 Issues of the NTA Newsletter, Tatbits, Ephemera, and More

Allentown, Pennsylvania: National Tattoo Association, 2018. Wraps. Very good. Wraps. From the collection of a renowned forensic pathologist, tattoo historian, and longtime NTA member—this remarkable archive offers 31 of the 39 known convention booklets issued by the National Tattoo Association, each richly supplemented with ephemera including flyers, membership materials, financial statements, cruise rosters, issues of Tatbits, and fold-out convention posters. Together, the archive documents more than three decades of tattoo culture’s transformation and professionalization in North America. Also included are 23 issues of the NTA newsletter, and the previous owner’s “NTA Cruisers” ID from the final convention in 2018.

The archive includes 31 out of a possible 39 annual convention commemorative booklets from the National Tattoo Association’s annual gathering, each fully illustrated with photographs of Best Tattooed contestants and award winners for categories such as "Best Nostalgic Tattoo," "Most Realistic Tattoo," "Most Unique Tatoo," as well as "Best Tattooed Male and Female," most with write-ups reflecting on the convention, most with laid in ephemera, with announcements, ads, member lists, artist rosters, associated event flyers, news articles, association financials, membership certificates, letters to the editor, “Tatbits” news inserts, etc.) including the below list:

Seattle Convention 1985, 38pp;
New Orleans Convention 1986, 63pp;
San Diego Convention 1987, 79pp;
Orlando Convention 1988, 79pp;
Arlington Convention 1989, 79pp;
Philadelphia Convention 1990, 111pp;
Meadlowlands Convention 1992, 155pp;
Fantasy Cruise 1993, 115pp;
San Francisco Convention 1994, 187pp;
Nashville Convention 1995, 183pp;
Tuscon Convention 1996, 183pp;
Philadelphia Convention 1997, 227pp;
Los Angeles / Mexico Cruise 1998, 221pp;
Philadelphia Convention 1999, 175pp;
San Antonio Convention 2000, 131pp;
Reno Convention 2001, 171pp;
Philadelphia Convention 2002, 127pp;
St. Louis Convention 2003, 165pp;
Reno Convention 2004, 79pp;
Cincinnatti Convention 2006, 79pp;
Seattle Convention 2007, 79pp;
Reno Convention 2008, 83pp;
Concord, NC Convention 2009, 79pp;
Seattle Convention 2010, 83pp;
Sparks, NV Convention 2011, 83pp;
Cincinnatti Convention 2012, 83pp;
Rapid City, SD Convention 2013, 83pp;
Orlando Convention 2015, 83pp;
Orlando Convention 2016 (with fold out poster for next year's convention laid in), 83pp;
Orlando Convention 2017 (with fold out poster for next year's convention laid in), 83pp;
Orlando Convention 2018, 83pp;
Plus 23 additional assorted issues of the NTA newsletters from 2000-2018, with one from 1994, 19pp each, many with laid in Tatbits, member lists, ephemera, or promotional items including further fold-out convention posters;
A laminated “NTA Cruisers” sheet for “Member #98 Kris Sperry, M.D.” from the final NTA Convention in 2018, with some related ephemera mailed to him after registering to attend.

Condition Description:
Bindings are approximately 11" X 8 1/2" and vary from staplebound wraps, perfectbound wraps, and combbound wraps, showing moderate edgewear and use and occasional light creasing, foxing, toning, and dust soiling. 1990 Philadelphia Convention booklet shows greater wear, with dampstaining to bottom margin, with small tears and paper residue to pages from reseparation after damp adhesion. All bindings are firm and sound and pages are otherwise unmarked. This archive fits well within its 15 3/4" X 9 1/2" X 12" box with lid.