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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.

cover art by Darcy (Ernest Chiriacka)

1959 Dell paperback original

better image than previously posted

Posted on September 18, 2024September 10, 2024Categories crime fiction, finest kind, Hardboiled, paperback, pulp, spicyTags dame, darcy, dell paperback, ernest chiriacka, femme fatale, peter duncanLeave a comment on cover art by Darcy (Ernest Chiriacka)

January 1966 issue

January 1966

Posted on September 18, 2024September 10, 2024Categories magazine, true crimeTags brothel, dame, pulp illustration, real detective magazineLeave a comment on January 1966 issue

September 1935 issue ~ cover art by George Gross

September 1935

cover art by George Gross

though no story refers to it, the figure at the left looks like Boris Karloff as Fu Manchu

Posted on September 17, 2024May 26, 2025Categories crime fiction, magazine, mystery, pulp, weird fictionTags boris karloff, dame, fu manchu, george gross, lebbeus mitchell, mystery novels magazine, racist imagery, smokingLeave a comment on September 1935 issue ~ cover art by George Gross

June 1954 issue

June 1954

better image than previously posted

Posted on September 17, 2024September 10, 2024Categories crime fiction, digest, Hardboiled, mystery, pulpTags bruno fischer, craig rice, david alexander, henry kane, john j. malone, manhunt detective story monthly, peter chambers, private eye, richard deming, shell scottLeave a comment on June 1954 issue

cover art by Paul Rader

Tempera on board, 12-7/8 x 6-7/8 inches (32.7 x 17.5 cm) (sight)
Not signed (signature whited out bottom left, visible on book’s cover)

Midwood paperback original, 1962

Posted on September 17, 2024September 10, 2024Categories Hardboiled, original art, paperback, pulp, spicyTags dame, femme fatale, midwood paperback, mike avallone, paul rader, tempera on boardLeave a comment on cover art by Paul Rader

May 1950 issue ~ cover art by Michael McCann

May 1950

cover art by Michael McCann

better image than previously posted

Posted on September 17, 2024September 10, 2024Categories Hardboiled, magazine, pulp, true crimeTags dame, detective world magazine, femme fatale, michael mccann, woman with a gunLeave a comment on May 1950 issue ~ cover art by Michael McCann

December 1944 issue

December 1944

Posted on September 17, 2024September 10, 2024Categories crime fiction, Hardboiled, magazine, men's magazineTags dame, pulp illustration, richard sale, sir magazineLeave a comment on December 1944 issue

August 1947 issue ~ cover art by Rafael DeSoto

August 1947

cover art by Rafael DeSoto

better image than previously posted

[cover updated, title page added 4/28/25]

Posted on September 17, 2024April 28, 2025Categories Hardboiled, magazine, mystery, original art, pulp, updatedTags detective tales magazine, handcuffs, henry norton, peter paige, rafael desoto, russell branch, talmage powell, william r. cox, woman with a gunLeave a comment on August 1947 issue ~ cover art by Rafael DeSoto

June 1936 issue ~ cover art by Harwood Forsgren

June 1936

cover art by Harwood Forsgren

Posted on September 17, 2024September 10, 2024Categories Hardboiled, magazine, pulp, true crimeTags harwood forsgren, inside detective magazine, woman with a gunLeave a comment on June 1936 issue ~ cover art by Harwood Forsgren

May 1938 issue ~ cover art by Delos Palmer

May 1938

cover art by Delos Palmer

better image than previously posted

[cover updated 11/19/25]

Posted on September 17, 2024November 19, 2025Categories crime fiction, Hardboiled, magazine, mystery, pulp, spicy, updatedTags delos palmer, rooftop, spicy detective magazine, wallace kaytonLeave a comment on May 1938 issue ~ cover art by Delos Palmer

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