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Charles Manson Signed Original Art Board Lacquer Finish Jonathan Shaw - $2,995
condition:
excellent
size / dimensions:
5”x9”
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Measuring 5” x 9”, this unique work originates directly from the personal collection of legendary tattoo artist, author, and underground cultural icon Jonathan Shaw. Shaw—who famously ran the world-renowned Fun City Tattoo in New York City's East Village and founded International Tattoo magazine—crossed paths with the Manson family during the late 1960s. Decades later, in 1994, Shaw was in the midst of organizing and planning a prison-based documentary project on Charles Manson while Manson was incarcerated at Corcoran State Prison, during which time these distinct personal pieces were procured.
This artifact serves as a fascinating and dark relic bridging the worlds of notorious 20th-century true crime, prison art, and the gritty underground art scene curated by figures like Jonathan Shaw. The board features a deep, high-gloss lacquer finish applied to preserve the piece, highlighting its raw, outsider-art aesthetic.
An exceptional addition for serious collectors of true crime memorabilia, dark Americana, and counter-culture archives.
Measurements
Dimensions: 5 inches x 9 inches
Bio of the Maker: Charles Manson
Charles Manson (1934–2017) became one of the most notorious figures in American history as the leader of the "Manson Family," a communal cult that carried out a series of brutal murders in Los Angeles in the summer of 1969. Following his 1971 conviction, Manson spent the rest of his life behind bars, primarily at Corcoran State Prison. During his decades of incarceration, Manson developed a prolific output of outsider art, music, and writings, which have since become a focal point for collectors of dark and macabre Americana.
Relevant Historic Information & Interesting Facts
The Jonathan Shaw Connection: Jonathan Shaw is a legendary figure in the history of modern tattooing. As the son of big-band leader Artie Shaw and actress Doris Dowling, Shaw rejected a conventional path to become a pioneer of the early-to-mid modern tattoo renaissance, tattooing icons like Iggy Pop, Johnny Depp, and Jim Jarmusch.
The 1994 Documentary Project: In 1994, while Manson was housed at Corcoran State Prison, Shaw attempted to spearhead a documentary project looking into Manson's psyche and past. This creative and correspondence-heavy endeavor placed Shaw directly into Manson's inner prison circle, allowing him to acquire rare artwork and personal documents directly from the source.
Outsider Prison Art Market: Prison art created by high-profile criminals has long occupied a controversial, niche space in the collectibles market, prized by institutional researchers, true crime historians, and dark artifact collectors alike for its unvarnished look into the minds of society's most infamous figures.