07/02/2025
Bray & Co. is thrilled to unveil this remarkable piece of Kansas history and folk art, drawn from the collection of Kelly & Rhett Johnson. This fierce and fabulous painted shark —rendered on a hefty slab of wood — comes from the hand of Gus Wagner (1872–1941), the legendary tattooer, traveling showman, and folk artist. It’s part of a larger group of Wagner’s works featured in our July 13th auction, each brimming with personality, grit, and charm. Wagner himself documented this very piece in his scrapbook, now preserved at , where it’s pictured leaning against his Dodge sedan. Craving more eye candy and backstory? Don’t miss the print catalog for this sale. It’s a collectible artifact in its own right!
