Circus World, early 1980s

Speaking of Baraboo- the Circus Parade is almost here! The wagons are leaving Baraboo (I think) July 6th, and will arrive in Milwaukee July 8th for a circus at the lakefront. July 12th is the parade, then they all head back to Baraboo.  I am hoping for good weather for both the circus and especially the parade... good turnout means they'll come back next year.

The book is now up on Speck's website:
http://www.speckpress.com/books/tattooed_lady.html
With a nice write up:

Living in a time when it was scandalous even to show a bit of ankle, a small number of courageous women covered their bodies in tattoos and traveled the country, performing nearly nude on carnival stages. These gutsy women spun amazing stories for captive audiences about abductions and forced tattooing at the hands of savages, but little has been shared of their real lives. Though they spawned a cultural movement—almost a quarter of Americans now have tattoos—these women have largely faded into history.

The first book of its kind, The Tattooed Lady uncovers the true stories behind these women, bringing them out of the sideshow realm and into their working class realities. Combining thorough research with more than a hundred historical photos, this social history explores tattoo origins, women’s history, and circus lore. A fascinating read, The Tattooed Lady pays tribute to a group of unique and amazing women whose legacy lives on.

In the meantime, I continue to proof the proofs! And it looks amazing...

Now you can become a fan of my forthcoming book on Facebook!
Check it out:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Amelia-Klem-Osterud-The-Tattooed-Lady-A-History/74944228596

Some lovely soul posted this on youtube (episode 2 of the first season of the Muppet Show)

My article on Artoria Gibbons is finally up in the new update to American National Biography. It is currently available online (without subscription!) so, check it out: http://www.anb.org/articles/20/20-01906.html

I'm not sure how long it will be up for free, so read it while you can. Otherwise, it will be available through your local library!

Earlier this year, I bought three photos on ebay of modern tattooed lady Lorett Fulkerson (who died in 2007). The seller had no idea who took them, where they came from, etc. I'm hoping that by posting them here, someone will recognize them and email me.

I suspect they were taken in the 1980s, but I'm not even sure of that.

Do these look familiar to you??

Lorett Fulkerson

Lorett Fulkerson

Last week I had the honor of participating in photographer Lynn Allen's Milwaukee tattooed ladies project- Women in Ink. Allen was interviewed by OnMilwaukee.com about her project. Her website is http://necropolisphotography.com and she's a very talented lady.
But- she also made me look lovely! There's two more on her site.

Amelia

From jsonline.com:

Circus Parade could return in 2009

Rainbow wagons, camels and clowns may once again rule the streets of Milwaukee as organizers of The Great Circus Parade announced today "plans are going forward" to bring the parade back here in 2009.

A contract has been drafted between The Circus World Museum in Baraboo and The Great Circus Parade, said William Fox, Great Circus Parade co-chairman.

"For the last six or seven months, (parade co-chairman) Jack McKeithan and I have been exploring and encouraging the return of the Circus Parade to the streets of Milwaukee," Fox said. "We've had a series of meetings with the parade board and The Circus World Museum and within the last 60 days we've received a contract to stage the parade."

Fox warned that "many contract details" still have to be worked out and the board must raise the $1.5 million to stage the parade. Fox said The Great Circus Parade Inc. already had "close to a million dollars available against this budget."

Earlier today, Mayor Tom Barrett advocated the return of the parade in his "state of the city" address, citing the tourism value to Milwaukee.

But the parade won't necessarily become an annual event again, Barrett said in an interview after the speech. It could be held every two years or every four years, depending on funding.

Barrett called for private donations to help bring back the parade. He said he would personally raise the $12,000 to $15,000 needed to pay city permit fees, and would work with other officials to clear the way for the parade's return.

Organizers envision a parade as big and brassy as the last one staged here in 2003, featuring more than 104 units. The new parade would also spotlight more than 50 antique circus wagons from the Circus World Museum.
"We don't want to diminish our wonderful memories. We want a grand parade of the quality and character that will make the city proud," said Fox.

Barrett said 2009 would be the ideal year for the next parade, because that would be the 50th anniversary of the museum, as well as the 40th time the parade is held and the 30th time it is held in Milwaukee. Other parade sites have included Baraboo and Chicago. No parade was held in 2006 or 2007.