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Signed Original Charles Manson Art Board Jonathan Shaw Collection 1994 - $2,995
condition:
excellent
size / dimensions:
7 1/2” x 4 5/8”
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Offered for acquisition is an exceptionally rare, authentic original piece of signed outsider art by Charles Manson, featuring a striking imagery of a meditating figure wreathed in flames, sealed with a protective lacquer finish.
This historic artifact originates directly from the personal collection of legendary tattoo artist and counter-cultural icon Jonathan Shaw. Known for his deep ties to underground history, Shaw hung out with members of the Manson family during the late 1960s. Decades later, in 1994, while in the midst of planning a documentary project focused on Manson at Corcoran State Prison, Shaw personally procured these distinct pieces directly from the source.
The reverse side of the board bears additional inscription and signature details by artist "El Vee" alongside a 1994 copyright stamp, highlighting the collaborative or multi-layered nature of these rare prison-era artifacts. Items carrying direct provenance from Jonathan Shaw’s private archives represent the pinnacle of true crime and counter-culture memorabilia, rarely surfacing on the open market.
Measurements & Specifications
Dimensions: 7 1/2” x 4 5/8” (Oval format)
Medium: Mixed media / illustration on board with protective lacquer finish
Signatures: Hand-signed by Charles Manson on the front; signed by El Vee and dated '94 on the reverse
Provenance: Directly from the personal collection of Jonathan Shaw (acquired in 1994 during prison documentary correspondence)
Bio of the Maker: Charles Manson
Charles Milles Manson (1934–2017) was an American criminal and cult leader who led the "Manson Family" commune in California during the late 1960s. Convicted of first-degree murder for directing the infamous Tate-LaBianca murders carried out by his followers in 1969, Manson became one of the most infamous figures in American true-crime history. During his decades of subsequent incarceration, Manson spent a significant amount of time creating outsider art, writing, and music, which has since developed a specialized, highly sought-after market among collectors of dark history and macabre memorabilia.
Historical Information & Interesting Facts
The Jonathan Shaw Connection: Jonathan Shaw is widely recognized as a pioneering master of modern tattooing, author, and founder of the legendary Fun City Tattoo in New York City. Having spent his youth embedded in the counterculture of the late 1960s—including associations with the Manson Family—Shaw maintained unique access to the dark underbelly of American history.
The 1994 Prison Era: In 1994, while communicating with Manson at Corcoran State Prison regarding a planned biographical documentary, Shaw acquired rare physical artifacts and artwork directly from the dynamic interaction between the infamous inmate and external underground artists.
Outsider Art Market: Prison-made artwork—particularly pieces tied directly to globally notorious historical figures and authenticated by rock-solid provenance like Shaw's personal archive—commands intense interest from institutional collectors, true crime historians, and modern art curators alike.