A Bold Move in a Changing City
In 1961, New York City banned tattoos, making it illegal to ink anyone. But one artist, Thom deVita, wasn’t deterred. The very day the law went into effect, he quietly opened his tattoo shop in Alphabet City, then one of the city’s roughest neighborhoods. His rebellious spirit would challenge the system for years.
A Quiet Revolution
DeVita limited himself to just five clients per day, working late into the night when most of the city slept. He carefully navigated the law’s restrictions, making sure to avoid public attention. It wasn’t until 1997—36 years later—that the city finally lifted the ban, marking the end of a long underground chapter in tattoo history.
In 1961, New York City made it illegal to give someone a tattoo, but Thom deVita refused to follow the new law. The very next day, he opened his tattoo shop in Alphabet City, continuing his work and quietly challenging the city's crackdown on tattooing.🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/OKZcJTWlvk
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) March 27, 2025