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SMB Noir

For the Fans of Hardboiled, Pulp & Gumshoe Art

Back in 2013, our tumblr site was started and ran until 2018, when they decided it was too "adult" - too lurid, supposedly. We followed the exodus to newtumbl and four years of dedication vanished in June of 2023. That work was not only new posts but upgrades of hundreds of old tumblr posts as well. So far, there has been no way to rescue those posts, so this will be the third version of this project. And, I'll warn you in advance, I may slip in covers that are not crime or mystery but just because I like the artwork. Enjoy!

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Category: finest kind

February 1942 issue ~ cover art by H.J. Ward

February 1942

cover art by H.J. Ward

artist’s “signature” is his initials carved into the bottom log

Posted on May 13, 2024April 24, 2024Categories action fiction, adventure, finest kind, Hardboiled, magazine, pulp, spicyTags bound, dagger, finest kind, h.j. ward, log cabin, luke terry, northwest, spicy-adventure storiesLeave a comment on February 1942 issue ~ cover art by H.J. Ward

July 28, 1934 issue ~ cover art by Modest Stein

July 28, 1934

cover art by Modest Stein

Posted on May 13, 2024April 24, 2024Categories action fiction, adventure, crime fiction, finest kind, magazine, pulp, western fictionTags finest kind, kenneth perkins, modest stein, six gun, western story magazineLeave a comment on July 28, 1934 issue ~ cover art by Modest Stein

April 1914 issue ~ cover art by N.C. Wyeth

April 1914

cover art by N. C. Wyeth

Posted on May 13, 2024May 12, 2024Categories action fiction, adventure, finest kind, magazine, pulp, western fictionTags cowboy, n.c. wyeth, new story magazine, preston ward, vaccaroLeave a comment on April 1914 issue ~ cover art by N.C. Wyeth

September 15, 1934 issue ~ cover art by John Howitt

September 15, 1934

cover art by John Howitt

better image than previously posted

Posted on May 12, 2024June 21, 2025Categories crime fiction, finest kind, Hardboiled, magazine, mystery, pulpTags dime detective magazine, frederick nebel, john howitt, sickle, t.t. flynnLeave a comment on September 15, 1934 issue ~ cover art by John Howitt

July 1946 issue ~ cover art by Rudolph Belarski

July 1946

cover art by Rudolph Belarski

better image than previously posted

[updated 5/5/25]

Posted on May 11, 2024May 5, 2025Categories crime fiction, finest kind, Hardboiled, magazine, mystery, pulp, updatedTags finest kind, john l. benton, nurse, rudolph belarski, talmage powell, thrilling detective magazine, william chamberlainLeave a comment on July 1946 issue ~ cover art by Rudolph Belarski

June 1937 issue ~ cover art by H.J. Ward

June 1937 – premiere issue

cover art by H.J. Ward

[images updated 5/3/25]

Posted on May 8, 2024May 3, 2025Categories crime fiction, finest kind, Hardboiled, magazine, mystery, pulp, spicy, updatedTags fiend, garter, h.j. ward, hatchet, hollywood fiction, private detective stories, robert leslie bellem, stockingsLeave a comment on June 1937 issue ~ cover art by H.J. Ward

August 1961 issue ~ cover art by Dick Shelton

August 1961

cover art by Dick Shelton

better image than previously posted

Posted on May 6, 2024April 23, 2024Categories crime fiction, digest, finest kind, mystery, pulpTags bruno fischer, dame, dick shelton, femme fatale, finest kind, manhunt detective story monthly, robert page jones, smoking, woman with a gunLeave a comment on August 1961 issue ~ cover art by Dick Shelton

Fall 1950 issue ~ cover art by Rudolph Belarski

Fall 1950

cover art by Rudolph Belarski

better image than previously posted

Posted on May 6, 2024April 23, 2024Categories crime fiction, finest kind, Hardboiled, magazine, mystery, pulpTags black book detective, carroll john daly, dame, femme fatale, g. wayman jones, nels leroy jorgensen, rudolph belarski, woman with a gunLeave a comment on Fall 1950 issue ~ cover art by Rudolph Belarski

November 1953 issue

cover artist unknown

November 1953

better image than previously posted

[updated with original cover art 8/8/25]

Posted on May 6, 2024August 8, 2025Categories crime fiction, digest, finest kind, Hardboiled, mystery, original art, pulp, updatedTags bruno fischer, craig rice, dressing table, ed mcbain, evan hunter, finest kind, fletcher flora, henry kane, john j. malone, manhunt detective story monthly, mirror, peter chambers, private eyeLeave a comment on November 1953 issue

January 1937 issue ~ cover art by H.J. Ward

January 1937

cover art by H.J. Ward

better image than previously posted

[cover updated 11/19/25]

Posted on May 6, 2024November 19, 2025Categories crime fiction, finest kind, Hardboiled, magazine, mystery, pulp, spicy, updatedTags dagger, finest kind, h.j. ward, justin case, showgirl, spicy detective stories, top hatLeave a comment on January 1937 issue ~ cover art by H.J. Ward

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