Bert Grimm (born Edward Cecil Reardon, February 8, 1900 – June 15, 1985) was an American tattoo artist dubbed the "grandfather of old school".
[6] At fifteen years old Bert left home and took up work with carnivals where he learned to tattoo,[4] including a season with Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West caravan.
[8] Here in the off-season he would work his trade on South State Street, while continuing to travel the carnival circuit in the summer months.
Later Grimm operated stores in Honolulu, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Seattle, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Portland, and China, however he is perhaps best known for his shop on The Pike at Long Beach, California where he hosted and mentored such artists as Owen Jensen, Bob Shaw, Lyle Tuttle, Don Nolan, Phil Sims and Dave Gibson.
[9][7][3] In 2003, Kari Barba purchased Grimm's shop at 22 Chestnut Place, now named Outer Limits Tattoo and Museum.