Lot 38

Photo Postcard of Tattoo Artist Bert Grimm, Percy Waters [RPPC - Tattoo] (Detroit, ca. 1925) 5 1/2 x 3 1/2 in. (14 x 8.9 cm.)

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Photo Postcard of Tattoo Artist Bert Grimm, Percy Waters [RPPC - Tattoo] (Detroit, ca. 1925) 5 1/2 x 3 1/2 in. (14 x 8.9 cm.)

Estimate: $200 - $400

Current Bid: $100

(1 Bid)

by Bray & Co. Auctions
July 26, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
33 Jewell Court
Portsmouth, NH, US 03801

Photo Postcard of Tattoo Artist Bert Grimm, Percy Waters [RPPC - Tattoo]
(Detroit, ca. 1925)
Real photo postcard showing the back of famed tattoo artist Bert Grimm (1900-1985), sold by tattoo artist and supplier Percy Waters, Detroit, Michigan, ca. 1925. Gelatin silver print on postcard stock. Stamped on verso: "Percy Waters / 330 E. 22nd St. / Anniston, Ala."

Few artists cast a longer shadow over American tattooing than Bert Grimm
(1900-1985), a larger-than-life character whose career spanned seven decades.
At fifteen, Grimm reportedly ran away with the circus before landing in Portland,
Oregon, where he hung around the shops of veteran tattooers Charlie Western and
"Sailor" Gus Franso. He soon set out on the road, tattooing in Chicago, Los Angeles,
and elsewhere. Working alongside many of the era's leading tattooers, he built a
reputation as one of the trade's most colorful and talented young artists.

In 1928, Grimm returned home to St. Louis and opened his famed studio at the corner
of Broadway and Market. There he tattooed thousands of sailors, servicemen,
laborers, and the occasional outlaw; in later years, he claimed the notorious Pretty
Boy Floyd among his clientele. Following World War II, Grimm relocated to The Pike
amusement district in Long Beach, California, where he established one of the most
celebrated tattoo shops in the United States, still in operation today. The shop
became a training ground for a new generation of tattooers, including Bob Shaw
and Lyle Tuttle. Renowned for his bold linework, vivid color, and iconic designs,
Grimm helped define the visual language of twentieth-century American tattooing.

  • Dimensions: 5 1/2 x 3 1/2 in. (14 x 8.9 cm.)
  • Condition: Edgewear, pinholes, and small tear near left elbow.

    Condition reports are provided as a courtesy and are intended to offer general guidance only. They are not comprehensive and should not be relied upon as a complete statement of condition. All items are sold as is, and the absence of a condition report does not indicate that an item is free of defects, wear, or restoration. Some condition issues may not be specifically noted and may be visible in the accompanying photographs, which form part of the overall description. Bidders are encouraged to examine items in person or to consult a knowledgeable representative prior to bidding. Please contact us with any questions or to request additional information or images, and refer to the Terms of Sale for full details.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000