Harry’s still got his tattoo magic at 80

2:00pm Thursday 23rd August 2012 in Local News By Emma Palmer

Still got the skill – 80-year-old tattoo artist Harry Potter says his hand is as steady as it was 30 years ago Still got the skill – 80-year-old tattoo artist Harry Potter says his hand is as steady as it was 30 years ago

HE may share the name of the boy wizard – but at 80 years of age, tattoo master Harry Potter relies on a needle rather than a wand to weave his magic. Harry started out “inking up” his pals in the Royal Navy more than 60 years ago, and could quite possibly be the oldest working tattoo artist in the county.

Harry, who set up shop in Market Road, Wickford in 1987, said: “I’ll be 81 soon, but my hand is still as steady as it was 30 years ago.

“I’ll keep going until I think I’m not good enough any more.

“I’ve seen it all over the years – people in tears, passing out with the pain. “The funniest one was a couple who came in and wanted each other’s names in a heart on their arms.

“The girl had hers done no problem, but when it came to the bloke – who was a big guy – he passed out cold on the floor.”

Harry’s love for tattooing started while working as a stoker on HMS Cleopatra.

His first body adornment was carried out in the early Fifties when a fellow seaman asked Harry to tattoo his girlfriend’s name, Esther, on his arm.

In those days, Harry had to use his own homemade tattoo equipment with little more than needles and whatever he could cobble together as ink.

After leaving the Navy, Harry went on to open his first tattoo parlour in Gravesend, Kent, before moving to Tilbury Docks and then later Wickford.

Harry, who was raised in Timberlog Lane, Vange, has tattooed thousands of people over the years, including himself and even a notorious murderer called Edwin Simms.

Simms went into Harry’s Gravesend shop in 1960, wanting an eagle inked onto his chest – a design which cost about £4 in those days.

Not long afterwards Simms, 28, gunned down and killed a courting couple in Gravesend and was jailed for 21 years.

Harry recalled: “He was a very quiet man – it just goes to show how impressions can be wrong.”

Although the industry sometimes gets painted with a negative brush, Harry has a gentlemanly streak when it comes to his designs and refuses to tattoo women under 20 with any designs on their arms.

He also won’t do what he calls “chavvy” designs and often refuses to ink hands and faces.

Harry credits a teacher with discovering his artistic talent. He recalled: “One day, I drew a funny cartoon of my teacher, Mr James, and he saw it. He called me up and opened the drawer where he kept his cane.

“I thought I was in for it, but instead he pulled out a wad of paper and pencils and told me, ‘go and do something with you art’.

“I hope I’ve done him proud.”

Comments (10)

3:40pm Thu 23 Aug 12

SpaffSpiff84 says...

This blokes a legend, that reminds me, i still have some skin coloured space on my arms left
This blokes a legend, that reminds me, i still have some skin coloured space on my arms left SpaffSpiff84

4:58am Fri 24 Aug 12

soul man says...

went to him in 1967, gravesend, it was a day out for me then at 16 too, he's the best, my lot cost in todays money, £4.75, this guys a master, glad to see he's still working, heard he'd retired
went to him in 1967, gravesend, it was a day out for me then at 16 too, he's the best, my lot cost in todays money, £4.75, this guys a master, glad to see he's still working, heard he'd retired soul man

5:04am Fri 24 Aug 12

soul man says...

if i remember, he has a tattoo with the name kate? am i wrong, not seen this guy in 45 yrs?
if i remember, he has a tattoo with the name kate? am i wrong, not seen this guy in 45 yrs? soul man

8:16am Fri 24 Aug 12

Brunning999 says...

How lovely, just like all the tattooed ladies in Southend which we can see for free.
Years ago they were in freak shows and people paid, still it will probably see the return of the freak shows when these lovely ladies reach 70 plus with 20 different husbands/partners names all withering with age.
How lovely, just like all the tattooed ladies in Southend which we can see for free. Years ago they were in freak shows and people paid, still it will probably see the return of the freak shows when these lovely ladies reach 70 plus with 20 different husbands/partners names all withering with age. Brunning999

9:20am Fri 24 Aug 12

muffindamule says...

Sounds like a real character. Looks like a seafaring man too. Popeye springs to mind (no offence intended !).
Sounds like a real character. Looks like a seafaring man too. Popeye springs to mind (no offence intended !). muffindamule

9:48am Fri 24 Aug 12

I-say-you-say says...

Brunning999 wrote:
How lovely, just like all the tattooed ladies in Southend which we can see for free. Years ago they were in freak shows and people paid, still it will probably see the return of the freak shows when these lovely ladies reach 70 plus with 20 different husbands/partners names all withering with age.
Apologies if I have misunderstood you - are you saying that women with tattoos will reach 70 covered in the numerous names of their partners etc?!

If I am correct in my interpretation - how very Draconian of you!

I may not be anywhere near 70 yet however of the 9 tattoos I currently have, I have my nan and grandad twice on me, my best friend who passed away, my mum, dad, brother and sister and my best friend - and yet no names!

So please feel free to join us in the 21st Century.
[quote][p][bold]Brunning999[/bold] wrote: How lovely, just like all the tattooed ladies in Southend which we can see for free. Years ago they were in freak shows and people paid, still it will probably see the return of the freak shows when these lovely ladies reach 70 plus with 20 different husbands/partners names all withering with age.[/p][/quote]Apologies if I have misunderstood you - are you saying that women with tattoos will reach 70 covered in the numerous names of their partners etc?! If I am correct in my interpretation - how very Draconian of you! I may not be anywhere near 70 yet however of the 9 tattoos I currently have, I have my nan and grandad twice on me, my best friend who passed away, my mum, dad, brother and sister and my best friend - and yet no names! So please feel free to join us in the 21st Century. I-say-you-say

12:18pm Fri 24 Aug 12

thesouthendone says...

I-say-you-say wrote:
Brunning999 wrote:
How lovely, just like all the tattooed ladies in Southend which we can see for free. Years ago they were in freak shows and people paid, still it will probably see the return of the freak shows when these lovely ladies reach 70 plus with 20 different husbands/partners names all withering with age.
Apologies if I have misunderstood you - are you saying that women with tattoos will reach 70 covered in the numerous names of their partners etc?!

If I am correct in my interpretation - how very Draconian of you!

I may not be anywhere near 70 yet however of the 9 tattoos I currently have, I have my nan and grandad twice on me, my best friend who passed away, my mum, dad, brother and sister and my best friend - and yet no names!

So please feel free to join us in the 21st Century.
And your a woman??? U must look a right state!
[quote][p][bold]I-say-you-say[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Brunning999[/bold] wrote: How lovely, just like all the tattooed ladies in Southend which we can see for free. Years ago they were in freak shows and people paid, still it will probably see the return of the freak shows when these lovely ladies reach 70 plus with 20 different husbands/partners names all withering with age.[/p][/quote]Apologies if I have misunderstood you - are you saying that women with tattoos will reach 70 covered in the numerous names of their partners etc?! If I am correct in my interpretation - how very Draconian of you! I may not be anywhere near 70 yet however of the 9 tattoos I currently have, I have my nan and grandad twice on me, my best friend who passed away, my mum, dad, brother and sister and my best friend - and yet no names! So please feel free to join us in the 21st Century.[/p][/quote]And your a woman??? U must look a right state! thesouthendone

5:16pm Fri 24 Aug 12

Brunning999 says...

I-say-you-say wrote:
Brunning999 wrote:
How lovely, just like all the tattooed ladies in Southend which we can see for free. Years ago they were in freak shows and people paid, still it will probably see the return of the freak shows when these lovely ladies reach 70 plus with 20 different husbands/partners names all withering with age.
Apologies if I have misunderstood you - are you saying that women with tattoos will reach 70 covered in the numerous names of their partners etc?!

If I am correct in my interpretation - how very Draconian of you!

I may not be anywhere near 70 yet however of the 9 tattoos I currently have, I have my nan and grandad twice on me, my best friend who passed away, my mum, dad, brother and sister and my best friend - and yet no names!

So please feel free to join us in the 21st Century.
You sure are a bit of class.

I bet you smoke Golden Virginia also?
[quote][p][bold]I-say-you-say[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Brunning999[/bold] wrote: How lovely, just like all the tattooed ladies in Southend which we can see for free. Years ago they were in freak shows and people paid, still it will probably see the return of the freak shows when these lovely ladies reach 70 plus with 20 different husbands/partners names all withering with age.[/p][/quote]Apologies if I have misunderstood you - are you saying that women with tattoos will reach 70 covered in the numerous names of their partners etc?! If I am correct in my interpretation - how very Draconian of you! I may not be anywhere near 70 yet however of the 9 tattoos I currently have, I have my nan and grandad twice on me, my best friend who passed away, my mum, dad, brother and sister and my best friend - and yet no names! So please feel free to join us in the 21st Century.[/p][/quote]You sure are a bit of class. I bet you smoke Golden Virginia also? Brunning999

6:12pm Fri 24 Aug 12

thesouthendone says...

Brunning999 wrote:
I-say-you-say wrote:
Brunning999 wrote:
How lovely, just like all the tattooed ladies in Southend which we can see for free. Years ago they were in freak shows and people paid, still it will probably see the return of the freak shows when these lovely ladies reach 70 plus with 20 different husbands/partners names all withering with age.
Apologies if I have misunderstood you - are you saying that women with tattoos will reach 70 covered in the numerous names of their partners etc?!

If I am correct in my interpretation - how very Draconian of you!

I may not be anywhere near 70 yet however of the 9 tattoos I currently have, I have my nan and grandad twice on me, my best friend who passed away, my mum, dad, brother and sister and my best friend - and yet no names!

So please feel free to join us in the 21st Century.
You sure are a bit of class.

I bet you smoke Golden Virginia also?
or crack.
[quote][p][bold]Brunning999[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]I-say-you-say[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Brunning999[/bold] wrote: How lovely, just like all the tattooed ladies in Southend which we can see for free. Years ago they were in freak shows and people paid, still it will probably see the return of the freak shows when these lovely ladies reach 70 plus with 20 different husbands/partners names all withering with age.[/p][/quote]Apologies if I have misunderstood you - are you saying that women with tattoos will reach 70 covered in the numerous names of their partners etc?! If I am correct in my interpretation - how very Draconian of you! I may not be anywhere near 70 yet however of the 9 tattoos I currently have, I have my nan and grandad twice on me, my best friend who passed away, my mum, dad, brother and sister and my best friend - and yet no names! So please feel free to join us in the 21st Century.[/p][/quote]You sure are a bit of class. I bet you smoke Golden Virginia also?[/p][/quote]or crack. thesouthendone

2:00am Sat 25 Aug 12

321361 says...

Good on you Harry! I proudly wear some of Harry's work from about 10 years ago and know others who have older work. The honest face of tattooing!
Good on you Harry! I proudly wear some of Harry's work from about 10 years ago and know others who have older work. The honest face of tattooing! 321361

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