Real Photo Postcards (RPPC) of Ed Baker Tattooed by Bert Grimm
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
ca. 1920
This set consists of two real photo postcards (RPPC) produced circa 1920, capturing front and back views of Ed Baker, a sideshow performer whose extensive tattoos were executed by the prominent tattoo artist Bert Grimm around 1919.
The photographs, likely taken in Detroit or Chicago, document the intricate traditional tattoo motifs characteristic of the era, including nautical themes, eagles, and patriotic imagery. Each postcard measures 5 1/2 by 3 1/2 inches (14 by 8.9 cm). These examples utilize standard AZO four-triangle postcard paper stock, a common backing for amateur and commercial photography of the period. One of the cards features the inscription "Ed.
Baker" along the lower edge, identifying the subject. As photographic ephemera, these cards serve as a visual record of historical tattooing practices and sideshow culture in early 20th-century America, showcasing the craftsmanship of Grimm, who was a pivotal figure in the development of American professional tattooing.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Format
- Real photo postcard (RPPC)
- Backing
- AZO four-triangle
- Dimensions
- 5 1/2 x 3 1/2 in. (14 x 8.9 cm.)
Technical characteristics
- Subject
- Ed Baker
- Tattoo artist
- Bert Grimm
Design
- Motifs
- front and back views showing extensive tattoo work
- Inscription
- Ed. Baker
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
- Maker named in listing
- Bert Grimm
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.