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Tuesday, September 27, 2011
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5 comments:
Betty Broadbent.
Several years ago Mary Jane and I were in Louisville and we discovered the tattoo museum there.
A number of Betty Broadbent photos were on display and when I said, "I knew her" I became the center of attention. I was really talking to Mary Jane but being old and "deef" my voice does carry.
Apparently Betty is a real icon with today's women who are tattooed but I did NOT know the answers to all the questions I got. I met her when she worked for Bill English in about 1960, possibly her last sideshow job. Does anyone know for sure?
Notice that when wearing pants and a long sleeve blouse she could go out in public without showing a single tattoo. A real lady.
Mark Horton
Amelia Osterud, author of the recent book "The Tattooed Lady," largely based on the materials in Baraboo, says that Betty last appeared with Hall and Christ in 1967. Her last circus engagement isn't specified, but King Bros. is mentioned without a date.
C. W. "Chuck" Eldridge has the Tattoo Archive in the Carolinas, a website, and also issues a newsletter, for those wanting to expand their interest in body ink. www.tattooarchive.com will get you connected.
I personally like the line used by a tattooed Australian lady, Cindy Ray: "The classy lassie with the tattooed chassis."
Actually, I saw Betty on Ward Hall's Side Show touring with the Toby Tyler Circus in Saline, Michigan in about 1976. That well may be the last circus that she appeared with.
Neil Cockerline
Minneapolis
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