Norman 'Sailor Jerry' Collins Timeline
1911 - 1973
1911
Born January 14th in Reno, Nevada
1925
Travels across America hopping freight trains & hand poking tattoos on fellow travellers
1927
Meets Tatts Thomas who teaches him to use the tattoo machine
1928
Enlists in the US Navy & travels to China & Japan starting a lifelong appreciation of their art
1930s
After a stint in the Navy, moves to Hawaii & starts working as a tattoo artist
1942
Sets up his own tattoo parlor in notorious Hotel St. district of Honolulu
1965
A true renaissance man, he starts a radio show & captains a schooner giving tours of the islands
1973
Suffers heart attack & passes away, leaving his shop & art to protégés Ed Hardy & Mike Malone-if it doesn't end up in their hands, he leaves instructions to burn everything
