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August "Cap" Coleman
(1884-1973)
August "Capt." Coleman
was born in 1884
near Cincinnati,
Ohio. Although
Coleman claimed
his father was
also a tattooist,
his name has not
surfaced as part
of tattoo history.
In fact, Paul Rogers
was always a bit
skeptical about
that story. It
is of course well
known that Coleman
settled in Norfolk,
VA around 1918
and quickly became
a living legend
in the tattoo business.
It is unclear who did Coleman's
tattooing but some of it was probably
done by hand. Many of Coleman's
tattoos, which included the large
eagle, the flag chest piece, the
ship on the stomach, the sun designs
on the kneecaps, and the fancy
socks design, could be seen on
the small statue that was displayed
in his shop window in Norfolk.
This statue is now part of the
Mariner's Museum collection in
Newport News, Virginia.
When Coleman set up shop on East
Main Street in Norfolk VA, it was
one of the more "colorful" streets
in town. Norfolk was a major seaport
at this time with ships from around
the world arriving and departing
daily. The street was lined with
tattoo shops with plenty of sailors
to fill them. Coleman's shop was
located near the old Majestic Theatre,
later known as the Gaiety Theater,
a favorite striptease and burlesque
house frequented by sailors. A
sheet of Coleman's flash is featured
below.
Coleman's business card stated
that he offered cover work, supplies
including needles, designs, colors,
stencils, and machines. Coleman
used this card for many years,
but his approach to the supply
business was very low key. Coleman
seemed to be very sure of his position
in the tattoo world, as was noted
on his elaborate two-sided business
card. The card shows two photos
of him and mentions all the magazines
that had featured articles on him.
He didn't even think it was necessary
to mention his address, and simply
stated, "Look for Coleman's place
on Main Street."
When Norfolk's City Council ruled
tattooing illegal in June 1950
by passing Ordinance No. 15,668.
Coleman, along with many other
tattooists were forced out of the
city. Many of the Norfolk tattooists,
including Grimshaw and Coleman,
moved across the Elizabeth River
and set up shops in Portsmouth,
Virginia when the Norfolk Redevelopment
and Housing Authority bulldozed
the area. 
The envelope on the left was illustrated
by Coleman and sent to Paul Rogers.
Coleman's body was found in the
Elizabeth River near his home on
October 25, 1973. It was thought
that he slipped and fell into the
river. Coleman invested his tattooing
money wisely in the stock market.
At the time of his death he had
accumulated small fortune, which
he left to the Virginia School
for the Deaf, the Norfolk United
Fund, the Tidewater Lions Club
and the St. Mary's Infants Fund.
Tattoo Archive © 2004
See
a postcard of "Cap"
Coleman and a reproduction sheet of Cap Coleman Flash in our
online store.
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