Real photo postcard of “Stella,” with in-image text “Tattooed by ‘DEAFY’” and the name “Stella” at the lower edge. Stella (aka Edith Grassman) was the wife of famous tattoo artist Deafy (aka Samuel Grassman) who operated at 19 Bowery in New York City. Stella was a well known tattooed lady and performed with Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey circus ca 1930. The reverse carries a printed advertisement for “DEAFY & STELLA TATTOOING ARTISTS” with a Philadelphia address, plus dated handwriting.



The subject is shown full-length from behind in a staged pose, arms raised, emphasizing tattoo coverage across the back, shoulders, arms, and legs. She wears a short light-colored skirt trimmed with a fluffy border and high-heeled shoes, creating strong contrast with the dark studio background. Dense tattoo imagery fills the skin, with large figurative panels on the upper back and continuous patterns down both legs. A small signature mark appears near the lower left of the photograph area. The pose is theatrical and balanced, with the elbows bent and hands lifted as if mid-performance. On the reverse, the printed advertisement reads “DEAFY & STELLA TATTOOING ARTISTS” and old address “836 RACE STREET PHILADELPHIA, PA.,” is crossd out with and the handwritten notes including the 19 Bowery New York City address, and a precise date and a reference to “Ringling Bro & Barnum & Bailey,” as well as “19 Bowery New York City.”



The front bears the printed text: Tattooed by; “DEAFY”; Stella. The reverse reads: DEAFY & STELLA; TATTOOING ARTISTS; 836 RACE STREET; PHILADELPHIA, PA.; [printed line] COLBXZ 1/15/06 V2. Adv.. Handwritten inscriptions read: May 20, 1930.; With Ringling Bro & Barnum & Bailey; 19 Bowery; New York City.