Letters and Quotes

Any of Jerry's friends could tell you that he was a prolific letter writer. Collins used the old pen and paper to stay in touch with people far and wide, and to share techniques and designs with fellow tattoo artists.

Sailor Jerry Quotes:  

"I haven't done my best yet…only my best so far."
Sept. 15, 1969

"I don't have a single design that can't be improved on; every so often I get the urge to "renew" to keep ahead of the tattoo masters!"
Nov. 20, 1970

"Bold simplicity is the keynote to good design."
Nov. 20, 1970

"I'm not a bit conceited, though I have every right to be!"
May 24, 1971

"You must understand the feeling of originating as opposed to imitating."
June 8, 1971

"There are millions of skins, but only one Hori Smoku so screw 'em."
June 28, 1971

"If a design is good enough, it will find its own buyer. We don't have to sell it."
June 28, 1971

"Sometimes I wonder how I ever got mixed up in all this in the first place."
June 22, 1972

"I'm always willing to listen to somebody else's ideas…because we can always learn more."
Aug. 12, 1971

"People are only supposed to believe the legends not understand them."
Aug. 18, 1971

"I am my own worst competitor and also my own most severe critic and it's a hell of a spot to be in!"
Aug. 24, 1971

"In this business, the minute you get to thinking you're top dog, you quit trying and are on the way out fast."
May 24, 1971

"I was the first one to start using purple, white, yellow and blue-now they are all trying to do it. Color is here to stay. Good color that is!"
Feb. 18, 1971

"I have been studying Japanese comic books-some of these guys can really portray motion and action. I think we can learn a lot from them."
July 20, 1971

"If you like my style of work, fine, come to me, but if you want to make me over into your kind of stylist, forget it!"
July 12, 1972