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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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For altered posts, choose the category "Updated"

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

Category: paperback

cover painting by James Meese

September 1956 Permabook 1st printing

cover painting by James Meese

better image than previously posted

Posted on October 16, 2024October 3, 2024Categories crime fiction, finest kind, Hardboiled, paperback, pulpTags dagger, henry kuttner, james meese, perma paperbackLeave a comment on cover painting by James Meese

cover art by Rudy Nappi

Man-Killer by Talmage Powell, Ace Double, 1960
Watercolor and gouache on board
14.875 x 12.375 in. (sight)
Signed lower right

better image than previously posted

Posted on October 15, 2024October 3, 2024Categories crime fiction, finest kind, Hardboiled, paperback, pulpTags ace paperback, dame, femme fatale, rudy nappi, talmage powell, woman with a gunLeave a comment on cover art by Rudy Nappi

August 1955 Signet paperback

August 1955 Signet paperback original, first printing

cover art by Robert Maguire

better image than previously posted

[cover updated 4/3/26]

Posted on October 14, 2024April 3, 2026Categories crime fiction, finest kind, Hardboiled, paperback, pulp, updatedTags charlie wells, dame, femme fatale, robert maguire, signet paperback, woman with a gunLeave a comment on August 1955 Signet paperback

Parole Breakers #2 (Avon, 1952)

Parole Breakers #2 (Avon, 1952)

cover art repurposed from Avon Books 114, 1947

cover art by William Stanke

used a third time for 1955 Avon paperback original but modified to replace gun with paper

Posted on October 14, 2024October 3, 2024Categories crime comic, Hardboiled, mystery, paperback, pulpTags avon paperback, dame, femme fatale, john baxter, parole breakers, william stanke, woman with a gunLeave a comment on Parole Breakers #2 (Avon, 1952)

cover art by Reginald Heade

1953 Harborough

cover art repurposed for – –

1952 Leisure Library

Posted on October 14, 2024October 3, 2024Categories british pulp, Hardboiled, mystery, paperback, pulpTags dame, graveyard, reginald heade, reginald storme, spike morell, woman with a gunLeave a comment on cover art by Reginald Heade

September 1957 Signet reissue

1942 Knopf hardcover

September 1957 Signet reissue, first printing

better image than previously posted

Posted on October 14, 2024October 3, 2024Categories crime fiction, Hardboiled, paperback, pulpTags james m. cain, municipal corruption, signet paperback, woman with a gunLeave a comment on September 1957 Signet reissue

cover art by James Meese

1952 Popular Library

better image than previously posted

Posted on October 14, 2024October 3, 2024Categories crime fiction, Hardboiled, mystery, paperback, pulpTags james meese, octavus roy cohen, popular libraryLeave a comment on cover art by James Meese

cover art by Rudolph Belarski

pseudonym of Cleve F. Adams

1943 Dutton hardcover, this the later, 1949, Popular Library softcover

cover art by Rudolph Belarski

better image than previously posted

Posted on October 13, 2024May 11, 2026Categories crime fiction, Hardboiled, paperback, pulpTags cleve f. adams, john spain, popular library, rudolph belarskiLeave a comment on cover art by Rudolph Belarski

1958 Gold Medal paperback original

1958 Gold Medal paperback original

cover art by Darcy, aka Ernest Chiriacka

better image than previously posted

Posted on October 13, 2024October 3, 2024Categories crime fiction, Hardboiled, paperback, pulpTags darcy, ernest chiriacka, gold medal paperback, hoods, lionel whiteLeave a comment on 1958 Gold Medal paperback original

1957 Avon reissue ~ cover art by Art Sussman

1957 Avon reissue

cover art by Art Sussman

first published as Sinister Errand, Collins UK hardcover, 1945

Posted on October 10, 2024October 3, 2024Categories crime fiction, Hardboiled, mystery, paperback, pulpTags art sussman, avon paperback, peter cheyneyLeave a comment on 1957 Avon reissue ~ cover art by Art Sussman

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