Tattoo Peter Amsterdam

Before Peter started his career as a tattoo artist, he was often found in the ports of the Netherlands. After the war, Peter sold postcards and played the harmonica to earn money. This was a common street scene at the time.

1950-52

Peter played this harmonica in bars and cafes in the ports of the Netherlands.

1950-52

At some point Peter came into contact with Albert Cornelissen and Tattoo Willy. It is very likely that Peter got interested in learning tattooing from both Willy and Albert and that he got or bought a machine, some ink and a battery from one of them to start his career.

1950-52

Peter lost a leg in World War II. After the war, Peter traveled from port to port. At one point, he also came to Rotterdam often. Tattoo Willy was tattooing there at that time.

1952-54

Peter at work in a bar. Peter traveled with a battery, some ink and a machine around the bars in the ports of the Netherlands, looking for sailors who wanted to get a tattoo.

1952-54

Before Peter opened his shop in 1955, he tattooed bar guests.

1953-54

Peter opened his first tattoo shop in 1955 at St. Olofsteeg 4 in Amsterdam.

1955

Peter's workplace. He started in the St. Olofsteeg in 1955, popularly called the "Keldertje".

1955

Peter's workplace was in the "cellar".

1955

One of Tattoo Peter's first tattoo flashes.

1955-1965

Color sheet. In the past Peter drew his own flash to hang on the wall.

1955-60

In the early years of Peter's career he tattooed many sailors.

1955-60

Here is a super cool sheet from Peter. Everything was drawn and colored by hand. No copy and no digital bullshit. "THE REAL DEAL".

1955-60

The old school tattoo artists drew and made their own flash. This was way before anything like today.

1955-60

One of Tattoo Peter's first tattoo sheets.

1955-60

Peter was always up for an interview for a newspaper or magazine.

1958-60

Peter liked to be photographed often.

1959