Introducing our Team – Aaron Rimmer
In the next of our team blogs, we’d love to introduce Collectables Specialist, Aaron Rimmer. Aaron joined us in 2024, bringing a wealth of experience working with and valuing vintage objects. He oversees monthly Collectables auctions featuring pop culture collectables, vintage toys & games, coins, comic books, sporting & movie memorabilia, vinyl records and more.
From Science to Auction House Specialist
If you ever came across an Australian reality TV show called ‘Meet the Hockers’, Aaron Rimmer may look familiar. Sporting a beanie in the promotional image for the 2017 program, he was part of the team at Australia’s oldest & largest pawnbroker – which featured in the series. It was a far cry from his original career trajectory.
“I was studying biology and environmental science when I started working as a pawn broker to get through uni,” says Aaron. “I ended up loving working with vintage and second hand goods. I was in charge of video games, and then I became the Weekend Manager.”
Aaron also trained in the jewellery department, where he developed a sound knowledge of metals, styles and valuations. He saw an ad for a Jewellery Specialist role at Theodore Bruce and applied.
“When Casi (Prischl, Head of Auctions) looked at my resume, she actually thought I’d be best suited to the Collectables department, and she was looking for a specialist at the time. While I didn’t end up working with jewellery, that training in metals has been invaluable when assessing coin collections” he adds.
A World of Collectables
The Theodore Bruce Collectables Department spans a broad range of antique and vintage objects – from coins to comics, cameras and musical instruments, movie and sporting memorabilia, retro gaming, vinyl records, as well as antique and unique objects. It ensures every auction is different.
“You never know what’s going to come in and that keeps it interesting,” says Aaron. “I have a lot of fun researching objects, figuring out where something comes from, if and how it works, and what it’s worth. We get some great items like the Edison Gem Phonograph we had recently. I think more than any other department, we have a broad stroke, and that’s very cool. It keeps me on my toes.”
Pictured: A Working Edison Gem Phonograph Model B with Case, Horn & a Large Collection of Wax Cylinders
Collecting Comics… and Community Fundraising
Aaron, like much of the Theodore Bruce team, has a vast knowledge of vintage objects, and a love of collecting. “I probably got the collecting bug from my granddad. He collected anything and everything, even bottle tops.”
Aaron’s own collection has a pop culture bent. “I collect comic books first and foremost, and I have since I was 7 or 8 years old. I used to go to the Randwick Ritz cinema for Tuesday movies and there was a second hand bookstore next door which had a great comic book section.”
“The first I ever bought was X-Factor, with the debut appearance of Apocalypse. It’s probably worth a bit of money now but I’m holding onto it. I’ve got the complete X-Factor, Daredevil and Swamp Thing series. I guess I have about 800 comics all up, which I keep in folders.”
While acquiring a complete set is often a collector’s goal, the drive to collect can be diverse. “For me, it’s the art and the writing in a comic book,” adds Aaron.
Aaron also has a huge video game collection, and has organised and taken part in a variety of community events. “I used to be part of a group called Sydney Gaymers. We would organise board game events or drag shows to raise money for kids but after COVID it all moved online. I was also part of a showcase of video game developers at the Australian Museum, and I organised the first ever video game sponsored Mardi Gras parade float in 2019.”
Pictured: A selection from Aaron’s comic book collection
A World of Pop Culture Collectables
Working in an auction house makes it easy to keep an eye out for interesting finds. Aaron’s buys include ’80s records from Kate Bush and Oingo Boingo, Allen Moore Miracleman books, and Pokemon toys for friends with children.
There was one item he does regret not bidding on. “Katarzyna Humlet is a Polish artist (and film director, producer and screenwriter) who won an award for cartography. She did a fantastic hand-drawn map of Middle Earth that went to auction last year that I would have loved.”
“The great thing about buying at auction is that you can find some fantastic and rare items, and you can get some great deals, especially if no-one else is looking at it. Watching the bidding around some items is interesting, and I can still be surprised at the price something might go for when it has a few people keen on it. I think the history around a lot of these objects – animation cels for instance, or rare antiques – is a definite drawcard.”
Theodore Bruce Auctioneers offers regular auctions in Collectables, including movie, music and pop culture collectables.
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