The world's most spectacular tattoos revealed - PHOTO

But not every etching is a disaster and some really can be classed as art - in every sense of the word.Now photographs of some of the best, past and present, have been collected in a new book, 1000 Tattoos, and the results are impressive.Among the modern inkings included are depictions of full English breakfasts, gallery-worthy portraits of young children and an incredibly detailed version of Leonardo's Last Supper, albeit with monsters in place of the disciples.Vintage examples include the delicate butterflies and insects decorating the skin of Edith Burchett, the wife of George 'The King of Tattoos' Burchett - a Victorian ink specialist who counted George V among his clients.Cindy Ray, real name Bev Robinson, an Australian pin-up girl turned painted lady, also appears as does Ron Ackers, a tattooist born in Portsmouth in 1932 who went on to become one of the greatest skin artists of the age.Others focus cultural tattoos such as those sported by New Zealand's Maoris and by sumo wrestlers, who wear them to advertise their toughness.The book, which was put together by art historian Burkhard Riemschneider and leading tattooist, Henk Schiffmacher, also includes some of the best examples of biker designs, many of which are still popular today. Whether or not you're a fan of biker tattoos, the book proves that not every inking is created equal and that some are definitely closer to art than tramp stamp.(dailymail.co.uk)ANN.Az