1939 Knopf hardcover – cover art by Hawkins

First Edition. Hawkins dustjacket art. Rare hard-boiled mystery by this author who died young in 1945.

first novel with private eye Cellini Smith

there had been seven Smith short stories published in Black Mask Magazine by the time of the author’s death.

cover art by Rafael DeSoto

Oil on canvas, 25 x 18 inches (63.5 x 45.7 cm)
Signed lower right

November 1942 issue

cover art by Rafael De Soto

~ Dale Clark, “Now I Slay Me – ”, 12th of 28 with house dick Mike O’Hanna story, at San Alpa Resort hotel, 14th of 32 stories in BM

~ Norbert Davis, “Beat Me Daddy”, 2nd of 3 with Hollywood piano man John Collins, 12th of 13 stories in BM

~ Alan Farley [pseudonym of Mrs. W. Lee Herrington], “How Big Is the Bucket?”, ‘her 1st pub. Story; see p. 8 for brief biographical note’, and 1st of 2 in BM

~ Robert Reeves, “A Taste for Murder”, 7th of 10 with PI Cellini Smith, 9th of 12 appearances in BM

~ Curt Siodmak, “Donovan’s Brain”, last of 3 parts, serialization of the novel published in 1943, only 3 appearances in BM by the author and director

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