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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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All rights to this ongoing project are reserved by the owner.

Category: paperback

1956 Lion reissue

pseudonym of Herman Hoffman Birney

two books with amateur archeologist Jason Burr

1947 Random House hardcover

cover art by Mort Kunstler

Posted on December 10, 2023December 8, 2023Categories crime fiction, mystery, paperback, pulpTags amateur sleuth, david kent, lion paperback, mort kunstlerLeave a comment on 1956 Lion reissue

1967 Leisure paperback original

cover art uncredited by woman is modeled on Robert McGinnis’ work

Posted on December 10, 2023December 8, 2023Categories crime fiction, Hardboiled, paperback, pulpTags jay flynn, leisure paperbackLeave a comment on 1967 Leisure paperback original

1957 Signet paperback original

pseudonym of Lee Borden

1957 Signet paperback original

cover art uncredited but looks like James Meese?

Posted on December 9, 2023December 8, 2023Categories crime fiction, Hardboiled, paperback, pulpTags borden deal, handcuffs, signet paperbackLeave a comment on 1957 Signet paperback original

cover art by James Meese

oil on masonite panel, 23.25×33″

1958 Gold Medal paperback original

better image than previously posted

Posted on December 9, 2023December 31, 2023Categories crime fiction, Hardboiled, original art, paperback, pulpTags girl gang, gold medal paperback, james meese, juvenile delinquent, original art, wenzell brownLeave a comment on cover art by James Meese

1962 Horwitz edition

1962 [2nd-edition]

Posted on December 3, 2023April 19, 2026Categories crime fiction, finest kind, Hardboiled, mystery, paperback, pulp, spicyTags al wheeler, australian pulp, carter brown, dame, femme fatale, finest kind, horwitz paperbackLeave a comment on 1962 Horwitz edition

cover art by Harold W. McCauley

Lawrence Block writing as Andrew Shaw

1961 Nightstand paperback original

Posted on November 24, 2023November 22, 2023Categories paperbackTags andrew shaw, dame, femme fatale, harold w. mccauley, lawrence block, lurid, nightstand books, pulp art, sleazeLeave a comment on cover art by Harold W. McCauley

cover art by Claudia Caranfa

February 2024 reissue

Posted on November 24, 2023July 23, 2024Categories Hardboiled, paperback, pulpTags chicago fiction, claudia caranfa, dame, finest kind, hard case crime, jack clark, taxiLeave a comment on cover art by Claudia Caranfa

cover art by Robert Stanley

1949 Dodd Mead hardcover

1951 Dell reissue

cover art by Robert Stanley

Posted on November 24, 2023November 22, 2023Categories crime fiction, Hardboiled, mystery, paperback, pulpTags brett halliday, dell paperback, florida fiction, mike shayne, private eye, pulp art, robert stanleyLeave a comment on cover art by Robert Stanley

cover art by Darcy (Ernest Chiriacka)


Gouache on board
21 x 14 inches (53.3 x 35.6 cm) (image)
Initialed lower right

1958 Harper hardcover

1960 Pyramid reissue with new title

Posted on November 24, 2023November 22, 2023Categories crime fiction, Hardboiled, paperback, pulpTags cash, dame, darcy, ed lacy, ernest chiriacka, femme fatale, gouache, negligee, pulp art, pyramid paperbackLeave a comment on cover art by Darcy (Ernest Chiriacka)

cover art by James Avati

James Avati (American, 1912-2005)

Oil on board
13 x 18 inches (33.0 x 45.7 cm)
Signed lower left



This illustration was published as the paperback cover of A Murder in Paradise by Richard Gehman (Avon, 1956).

Posted on November 22, 2023June 21, 2025Categories crime fiction, Hardboiled, original art, paperbackTags james avati, oil on board, richard gehman, signet paperbackLeave a comment on cover art by James Avati

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