SKU: 65163196784

Maud Stevens Wagner : The Mona Lisa of American Tattoo

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Maud Stevens Wagner : The Mona Lisa of American TattooThe true story of Maud Wagnercontortionist, aerial artist, carnival performer and barker, wife, and motherwho defied Victorian era conventions to blaze her own trail. Maud Stevens Wagner, the "Mona Lisa of American tattoo," was an ardent individualist who left home at a young age to pursue a career of her own making. An acrobat, she exuded an athletic strength as an aerial artist and contortionist. In the early 20th century, she was a thoroughly

The true story of Maud Wagner—contortionist, aerial artist, carnival performer and barker, wife, and mother—who defied Victorian-era conventions to blaze her own trail.

Maud Stevens Wagner, the "Mona Lisa of American tattoo," was an ardent individualist who left home at a young age to pursue a career of her own making. An acrobat, she exuded an athletic strength as an aerial artist and contortionist. In the early 20th century, she was a thoroughly modern woman who asserted her independence and her own identity.

Together with her husband, Gus (known as the “most artistically marked-up man in America"), Maud balanced parenting and work, traveling around the country as the Wagner’s Traveling Museum, exhibiting themselves and making tattoos in circus and carnival sideshows, dime museums, and pop-up shops. At the height of their careers, Maud and Gus established the Wagner Amusement Company and expanded their work to become promoters of street fairs, carnivals, and expositions.  

This book is the second of three in the series Last of the Hand Tattoo Artists, detailing the lives of Gus Wagner, Maud Wagner, and their daughter, Lotteva. Author Alan Govenar brings you Maud’s story with 

• an oral history from Maud’s daughter Lotteva Wagner Davis;
• archival photos of Maud, Gus, and Maud's tattoos;
• clippings and photographs from Gus Wagner’s scrapbooks;
• the Wagners' tattoo flash from Gus Wagner's notebooks; and
• newspaper articles and obituaries detailing Maud’s life.

As the author eloquently puts it, “In one sense, Gus and Maud challenged all expectations, but in another, they embodied and celebrated the can-do spirit intrinsic to American life.”

Size: 11.0in x 8.5in  |  Pages: 128  |  120+ color and black-and-white photographs

Binding: Hardback
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SKU: 65163196784

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Whiting, US
★★★★★ 4
Quality shoe but with a slight squeak.
Size: 10 Wide, Color: Burgundy Polished Full Grain
Nice shoes with the classic Penny Loafer design. Fit was better than another brand I tried. Only reason not 5 starts is disappointment due to a slight squeak at times when walking.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2025
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Steven D
San Leandro, US
★★★★★ 5
Exact item ordered, quick delivery
Size: 9.5, Color: Black Polished Full Grain
I ordered these black Cole Haan penny loafers for casual wear with jeans, khakies, and even business casual with slacks and a jacket. They've always worked perfectly for these uses. The Cole Haan version is the most versatile and still meets my sophisticated look criteria. I wear a 9 1/2 M with almost all other shoes. I have found Cole Haan to run slightly wider and slightly shorter. This fit will work with thin and no socks and a little loose in width. . I'd likely order a 10 N next time. I tend to forget this but it runs consistent with me for Cole Haan. 5 stars for the shoe and service. My bad on the slightly off fit.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2025
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Hugh62
Whiting, US
★★★★★ 1
Poor quality control - maybe outlet store leftovers
Size: 11.5, Color: Burgundy Polished Full Grain
The two shoes were not the same size. They were both labeled 11 1/2 but one shoe was larger than the other and the fit was poor. I returned the first pair and ordered a replacement. This time the shoes were close to the same size but too loose and the left one has sewing issues. I've bought Johnston & Murphy for years because of the quality. These were to replace an existing pair of burgundy penny loafers that have finally worn out (even after several heal/sole replacements). That is the expected quality. I suspect Nashville Shoe Warehouse may be handling shoes that didn't measure up for the quality; more like an outlet mall than getting the J&M quality I've come to expect. Update: went to Johnston & Murphy site to buy "direct" from the manufacturer. There were several recent reviews where the shoes were long and didn't fit properly. Genesco - please step up the manufacture / crafting of these classic shoes to the level of quality they used to have.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2025
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Fabric Crazy
New York, US
★★★★★ 5
Really nice shoes
Size: 9, Color: Black Polished Full Grain
My husband enjoys wearing these shoes. Very classy looking. They fit well. They arrived quickly. He liked them so much he ordered another pair in a different color which have worked out just as well.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2026
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tjw
Lake Worth, US
★★★★★ 3
Way too narrow
Size: 9.5 Wide, Color: Burgundy Polished Full Grain
I ordered a wide in this shoe, but it was still way too narrow. I had to return them. Otherwise, it looked like a nice quality shoe.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2026

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