Hidden Legacy : The Life and Art of Alexander Colville Gordon

One of Britain’s most prolific—and until now, most overlooked—tattoo artists.

This new book, written by leading British tattoo historian Terry Manton, finally brings Alexander Colville Gordon out of the shadows and into his rightful place in tattoo history.

It follows his journey from the wide plains of Arizona to the streets of London, tracing a career that ran through the Edwardian era, the interwar years, and right up to the post‑war boom. Few tattooers lasted as long, worked as hard, or produced as much.

Alec’s surviving artwork—preserved by leading collectors and museums—is showcased here in print for the first time. His bold, distinctive designs became the foundation of British tattooing, used by early pioneers like Jessie Knight, Joe Hartley, Manley Rhodes and his brother Cecil.

Even after his death in 1950, his sheets were still being used, traded, and worked from—often by tattooers who had no idea who created them.

Alec Gordon’s legacy is his art. Thousands of designs that shaped the look of British tattooing for generations.
This 220 page book finally gives the man behind them the credit he so richly deserves.

Terry Manton presents over 70 pages of tattoo designs, canvas banners, previously unseen photos, research notes and for the very first time, tells the amazing tale of Alec's life story.