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Skin Game TATTOO—Albert Parry—Simon & Schuster ($3). Author Parry's racy study of tattooing is by no means first in the field for at the back of his book appears a 13-page bibliography including works in seven languages. It is, nevertheless, the first popular and authoritative work of its kind. Its chief fault, for which the author is not to blame, is that it neither illustrates nor specifically describes many an unpicturable, unprintable tattooing phenomenon. (Nearest approach: photograph of the top half of one Constantine. Albanian Greek, exhibited by P. T. Barnum in the 'jo's; his body was completely tattooed, with not a quarter-inch anywhere between designs.) In spite of censorship, however, Author Parry still manages to include some eye- taking pictures, much ear-filling information. The fad of tattooing was imported by seamen from the South Sea Islands to Europe and the U. S. in the early ig.th Century, says Parry. Wasting no breath over the psychological causes of its popularity. Author Parry calls it a form of sexual exhibitionism. With the invention of the electric tattoo needle, by the late 'go's the art was revolutionized, had a burst of renewed popularity. The electric needles "seldom draw blood, puncturing the skin no deeper than one thirty-second of an inch, or even one sixty-fourth. The sensation of the pricking is that of a slight burn or at most a mosquito bite." At present, Parry estimates, there are about 300 completely tattooed men & women in the U. S. trying to make a living by exhibiting themselves. In the 'So's and 'go's Manhattan society, copying European socialites, went through a tattooing fad. Parry lists among the eminent tattooed: the late Edward VII. George V, the late Duke of Clarence, the late Tsar Nicholas II, the late Queen Olga of Greece. One Manhattan collector still has a virtual monopoly of tattooed human skin; when he sees a first-rate piece of work he approaches the owner, signs an agreement for delivery after death. Finest tattooing, says Parry, is done by Japanese. Tattooing, if not too comprehensive, can be removed by chemicals or surgery, but not nearly so easily or safely, says Author Parry, as its practitioners pretend. Most exemplars stick to conventional designs and sentiments—mermaids, pierced hearts, naked dancers, skulls, snakes, etc.. etc. But one French criminal had tattooed on his neck: "Executioner, when cutting, follow the dotted line." Strangest exhibit: one Jack Redcloud having a picture of Christ with crown of thorns tattooed on his shaven pate.