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Mike 'John Michael' Wingate aka John 'Mike' Wingate aka Mike Wingate : 1970s - 1980s ORIGINAL ARCHIVE OF 3 MASSIVE FOLIOS FILLED WITH THE WRITINGS, DRAWINGS AND DETAILS OF THIS RENOWNED TATTOO ARTIST'S BATTLE AGAINST ADDICTION

Elephant Folio - over 15" - 23" tall. On offer are the sensational original art portfolios and manuscript journals of the renowned tattoo artist Mike 'John Michael' Wingate [who sometimes signed himself John 'Mike' Wingate]. Three large 11" x 14" folio sketchbooks containing 10 years of his writings and drawings from 1978 through 1988. The first book is 95% handwritten diary like entries; the second is almost 100% drawings and sketches and the third journal about half full and has art work, some other writings more of a personal self motivated business plan and strategy to produce income from commercial art. It appears from research and casual reading Mr. Wingate got his degree at Arizona State University graduating in 1978 during or soon after beginning these books. The massive narrative writing begins in 'Barbara's cabin' which we reckon is the Skagway Alaska part of Wingate's personal journey which continues densely over a hundred folio sized pages front and back. Wingate details his life and thoughts to the hour at times when his entries are made and he exhibits not a little what seems to be creativity from the bottle or some other substance. In fact substance use and abuse is a prime theme throughout it appears the books even with hints in his business plan that he needs to straighten up and fly right. In many ways this archive is representative of the post 1970s free love drug era coming to a close and the evolution to the more cynical Eighties. To Mr. Wingate's credit this giant effort of art and narrative stand as a unique relic which will bear much more scrutiny by historians and researchers in the future. The bindings have some issues but overall G+.. Manuscript. Book Condition: Very Good+

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