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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

1957 Dell paperback original ~ cover art by Daniel Schwartz

1957 Dell paperback original

cover art by Daniel Schwartz

Posted on October 28, 2024October 19, 2024Categories crime fiction, Hardboiled, paperback, pulpTags david schwartz, dell paperback, jack finney, prison escape, san quentinLeave a comment on 1957 Dell paperback original ~ cover art by Daniel Schwartz

1958 Corgi reissue

1958 Corgi reissue

Lucille Fletcher and Allan Ullman, first published in 1951

cover art by Oliver Brabbins

better image than previously posted

Posted on October 28, 2024October 19, 2024Categories british pulp, Hardboiled, paperback, pulpTags allan ullman, corgi paperback, lucille fletcher, oliver brabbins, prisonLeave a comment on 1958 Corgi reissue

cover art by Howell Dodd

Gouache on board, 13.25 x 13.5 in. (sight)
Not signed

paperback cover of Free and Easy by Luther Gordon, Ecstasy, 1951.

Posted on October 27, 2024October 19, 2024Categories original art, paperback, pulp, spicyTags dame, ecstasy novel magazine, howell dodd, lurid, luther gordon, sleazy, smokingLeave a comment on cover art by Howell Dodd

September 1953 Signet paperback

1952 Crown hardcover

September 1953 Signet paperback, 1st print

cover art by James Meese?

2nd with Kansas City private eye Johnny April

Posted on October 27, 2024October 19, 2024Categories crime fiction, Hardboiled, paperback, pulpTags johnny april, kansas city, mike roscoe, private eye, signet paperbackLeave a comment on September 1953 Signet paperback

1951 Popular Library reissue

published in 1948 by Macmillan, this a later 1951 Popular Library reissue

Posted on October 26, 2024October 19, 2024Categories crime fiction, Hardboiled, paperback, pulpTags cigarette girl, dame, femme fatale, octavus roy cohen, popular library, veilLeave a comment on 1951 Popular Library reissue

1957 Hillman reissue ~ cover art by Robert Maguire

1957 Hillman reissue

cover art by Robert Maguire

better image than previously posted

Posted on October 26, 2024October 19, 2024Categories crime fiction, mystery, original art, paperback, pulpTags french fiction, georges simenon, hillman paperback, robert maguireLeave a comment on 1957 Hillman reissue ~ cover art by Robert Maguire

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)

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