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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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Tag: h.j. ward

January 1942 issue ~ cover art by H.J. Ward

January 1942

cover art by H.J. Ward

better image than previously posted

[cover updated 4/29/26]

Posted on May 22, 2024April 29, 2026Categories crime fiction, Hardboiled, magazine, mystery, pulp, spicy, updated, weird fictionTags cleaver, h.j. ward, lew merrill, sacrifice, spicy mystery magazineLeave a comment on January 1942 issue ~ cover art by H.J. Ward

February 1942 issue ~ cover art by H.J. Ward

February 1942

cover art by H.J. Ward

artist’s “signature” is his initials carved into the bottom log

Posted on May 13, 2024April 24, 2024Categories action fiction, adventure, finest kind, Hardboiled, magazine, pulp, spicyTags bound, dagger, finest kind, h.j. ward, log cabin, luke terry, northwest, spicy-adventure storiesLeave a comment on February 1942 issue ~ cover art by H.J. Ward

June 1939 issue

June 1939

“This issue’s H. J. Ward cover is an altered version of his cover for the April 1938 issue.”

Posted on May 13, 2024April 26, 2026Categories action fiction, adventure, crime fiction, Hardboiled, magazine, mystery, pulp, spicy, western fictionTags h.j. ward, robert a. garron, sombrero, spicy-adventure storiesLeave a comment on June 1939 issue

October 1935 issue ~ cover art by H.J. Ward

October 1935

cover art by H.J. Ward

Posted on May 9, 2024April 24, 2024Categories Hardboiled, magazine, pulp, true crimeTags h.j. ward, motorcycle cop, prison life stories, william mahoneyLeave a comment on October 1935 issue ~ cover art by H.J. Ward

June 1937 issue ~ cover art by H.J. Ward

June 1937 – premiere issue

cover art by H.J. Ward

[images updated 5/3/25]

Posted on May 8, 2024May 3, 2025Categories crime fiction, finest kind, Hardboiled, magazine, mystery, pulp, spicy, updatedTags fiend, garter, h.j. ward, hatchet, hollywood fiction, private detective stories, robert leslie bellem, stockingsLeave a comment on June 1937 issue ~ cover art by H.J. Ward

November 1942 issue ~ cover art by H.J. Ward

Posted on May 6, 2024April 23, 2024Categories crime fiction, finest kind, Hardboiled, magazine, mystery, original art, pulp, spicyTags bound, dungeon, fiend, finest kind, h.j. ward, lew merrill, original art, pulp art, spicy mystery magazine, whipLeave a comment on November 1942 issue ~ cover art by H.J. Ward

January 1937 issue ~ cover art by H.J. Ward

January 1937

cover art by H.J. Ward

better image than previously posted

[cover updated 11/19/25]

Posted on May 6, 2024November 19, 2025Categories crime fiction, finest kind, Hardboiled, magazine, mystery, pulp, spicy, updatedTags dagger, finest kind, h.j. ward, justin case, showgirl, spicy detective stories, top hatLeave a comment on January 1937 issue ~ cover art by H.J. Ward

August 1940 issue ~ cover art by H.J. Ward

August 1940

cover art by H.J. Ward

better image than previously posted

Posted on May 6, 2024April 23, 2024Categories crime fiction, finest kind, Hardboiled, magazine, mystery, pulp, spicyTags finest kind, h.j. ward, jerome severs perry, lingerie, spicy detective magazine, stockings, whipLeave a comment on August 1940 issue ~ cover art by H.J. Ward

cover art by H.J. Ward

No Pockets in a Shroud, Private Detective Stories magazine cover, July 1938
Oil on canvas, 21 x 29-3/4 inches (53.3 x 75.6 cm)
Signed lower right

[cover updated 11/6/24]

Posted on May 6, 2024November 6, 2024Categories crime fiction, finest kind, Hardboiled, magazine, mystery, original art, pulp, updatedTags dressing table, fedora, garter, h.j. ward, oil on canvas, private detective stories, roger torrey, stockings, thugLeave a comment on cover art by H.J. Ward

November 1941 issue ~ cover art by H.J. Ward

November 1941

cover art by H.J. Ward

better image than previously posted

Posted on May 6, 2024April 23, 2024Categories crime fiction, finest kind, Hardboiled, magazine, mystery, pulp, spicyTags finest kind, h.j. ward, lingerie, robert leslie bellem, spicy detective magazine, stockingsLeave a comment on November 1941 issue ~ cover art by H.J. Ward

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