I first read about Danzig Baldajev in a Swiss magazine.
For many years, Baldajev was in charge of a Russian
Prison Camp in Siberia. During this period, he develop-
ed an interest in the iconography and the meanings of
the inmates' tattoos, drawing great copies of the mot-
ifs into countless sketchbooks, and taking many phot-
ographs.

This book is a serious affair, not recommended to tho-
se with a weak heart. Parts of it: simply some of the
most evil tattoo imagery I have ever seen - ranging
from the Devil to Hitler to Stalin to cut off breasts.

Mainly high-quality drawings, a few photographs too.
An important ethnographic record all the way.

Apparently, Baldajev has a huge private collection -
rotting away in Russia. Around 1999, there was talk
of a series of books based on his sketches and pics
coming out . So far, only this one has seen the light
of day. For November 2003, an English version/vari-
ation is planned: "Russian Criminal Tattoo Encyclop-
edia".

There is also an Hungarian publication based on Bal-
dajev's and Vasiljev's (see "Zone") works; but extre-
mely difficult to find.

I usually have this Russian original in stock; price is
85 US Dollars plus shipping. Interested? Contact me
here.