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La
Belle Irene
La
Belle Irene was
the stage name
of Irene Woodward
often refereed
to as "The Original
Tattooed Lady".
Although there is some question
to her claim of being the first
female tattoo attraction, as early
as 1882 the New York Clipper newspaper
mentioned her working with G.B.
Biennell. (a dime museum operator).
Most attractions of that era invented
elaborate stories as to why they
got tattooed. La Belle said she
got her tattoos in the 'wild west
of Texas' as protection from the
attentiond of the hostile Red Indians.
It is said La Belle Irene's tattooing
was done by Samuel O'Reilly and
Charlie Wagner of New York City.
This illustration of La Belle Irene
is by Chelea Smith.
See
a postcard of
La Belle Irene
in our online store.
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