Maud's Tattoo Company

Maud's Tattoo Company Owned and operated by John & April Armstrong. Come in and see us! Maud was an aerialist and contortionist, working in numerous traveling circuses.
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"About Maud"

Born in Lyon County Kansas February 1877,
Maud Wagner was the United States'
first female tattoo artist. She met Gus Wagner, a tattoo artist who described himself as "the most artistically marked up man in America" while traveling with circuses and sideshows. She exchanged a romantic date with him for a lesson in tattooing, and several years later they were married. Together they ha

d a daughter, Lotteva, who started tattooing at the age of nine and went on to become a tattoo artist herself. As an apprentice of her husband, Maud learned how to give traditional "hand-poked" tattoos, despite the invention of the tattoo machine,
and became a tattooist herself. Together, the Wagners were two of the last tattoo artists to work by hand, without the aid of modern tattoo machines. After leaving the circus, Maud and Gus traveled around the United States, working both as tattoo artists and "tattooed attractions" in vaudeville houses, county fairs, and amusement arcades. They are credited with bringing tattoo artistry inland, away from the coastal cities and towns where the practice had started. Maud died on January 30, 1961
in Lawton, Oklahoma. Today Maud is an inspiration to many artists. Respectfully, we honor her.

Hey folks!Just FYI we still have availability in September! As soon as next week!Shoot us a message and let's have some ...
09/05/2026

Hey folks!
Just FYI we still have availability in September! As soon as next week!
Shoot us a message and let's have some fun!
Hope to see you soon!

Skylar and her beloved Ted.Fun story, Skylar works at our wonderful David Traylor Zoo and she actually named and cares f...
09/05/2026

Skylar and her beloved Ted.

Fun story, Skylar works at our wonderful David Traylor Zoo and she actually named and cares for Ted the bison! Even better story, she named him after her late Grandfather. And that's his handwriting.

Thanks for looking
Tattoo by .john.tattoo

Chance has been keeping John Armstrong busy! Thanks for looking! jobstoppers kansastattoos tattoos tattoosinka...
09/01/2026

Chance has been keeping John Armstrong busy!
Thanks for looking!

jobstoppers kansastattoos tattoos tattoosinkansas

Hope everyone is enjoying getting back to the grindafter a great holiday weekend.Here is a pretty peony for a pretty lad...
07/09/2026

Hope everyone is enjoying getting back to the grind
after a great holiday weekend.

Here is a pretty peony for a pretty lady!
Thanks for looking.

Tattoo by @.john.tattoo

What a wonderful surprise from Botanica Floral & Design! We highly courage you to go see is Liz and crew for all of your...
06/18/2026

What a wonderful surprise from Botanica Floral & Design!

We highly courage you to go see is Liz and crew for all of your floral needs. We are inspired by all of their talent!

Hey folks! Just a heads up as this week looks a little different for us.We will be available today-Wednesday by appt onl...
05/25/2026

Hey folks!
Just a heads up as this week looks a little different for us.
We will be available today-Wednesday by appt only.
We will resume regular hours next Tuesday at 10am!
Always reach out for all your tattoo needs and we will return messages as promptly as we can. Cheers!

Remember, honor, and respect today. Thank you. Happy Memorial Day. ❤🇺🇸

Happy Thursday! Had some cancellations this week. So if you are wanting to add to your collection shoot us a message! Av...
05/07/2026

Happy Thursday!
Had some cancellations this week. So if you are wanting to add to your collection shoot us a message! Available Friday 5-7, Saturday 2-5
Also, peep this cutie ❤
Thanks for looking!

Thanks for being patient with us last week! Peep these mountains.Thanks for looking! ‼️ big.john.tattoo
04/15/2026

Thanks for being patient with us last week!
Peep these mountains.
Thanks for looking!
‼️ big.john.tattoo

Hi Friends!Just an update for this week.April will be out of town so customer service will be limited.Doors will be lock...
04/07/2026

Hi Friends!
Just an update for this week.
April will be out of town so customer service will be limited.
Doors will be locked and will be by appointment only.
If you have questions about scheduling please don't hesitate to send us a message or email at [email protected]. We will return messages as we can. John is now scheduling into May and we can take your deposits via Venmo.
Thanks for being patient with us this week! We appreciate all of you!

Address

720 Commercial Street
Emporia, KS
66801

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 7pm
Wednesday 10am - 7pm
Thursday 10am - 7pm
Friday 10am - 7pm
Saturday 10am - 7pm

Telephone

+16203433835

Website

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