Author Archives: Dazzling Erin

Artwork of the Day: The Six-Weekers (by Ernest “Darcy” Chiriacka)

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by Ernest “Darcy” Chiriacka

This book was first published in 1962.  Judging from the blurb, the main message seems to be that women should stay out of Las Vegas.  Not only will it cause them to get a quickie divorce but the atmosphere was created to “stimulate their passions and play upon their need for men!”  Divorce was still considered to be scandalous in 1962 so it should came as no surprise that it was the topic of several pulp novels during the era.  Las Vegas, with its quickie weddings and quickie divorces, was the city of sin.  I’m just wondering how they managed to find a beach in Nevada.

This cover was done by Ernest “Darcy” Chiriacka, much of whose work has been shared on this site in the past..

Artwork of the Day: Nice Fillies Finish Last (by Robert McGinnis)

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by Robert McGinnis

I’ve always loved horses.  When I was growing up, no matter where we were living, I always searched for the nearest horse farm.  Horses are wonderful creatures and I’ve always enjoyed riding them but I don’t think I would ever recommend trying to ride a horse while wearing a bikini and smoking a cigarette.  Regardless of how nice the filly is, it’s a bad idea.

This book was originally published in 1966 and it was one of the many, many books to deal with the adventures private investigator Mike Shayne.  Though the book is credited to Shayne’s creator, Brett Halliday, Halliday actually retired from writing in 1958.  All subsequent Shayne books, including this one, were authored by a ghost writer.

Like many of the Shayne books, the cover was done by the legendary Robert McGinnis.  We’ve featured many McGinnis covers in the past and we’ll feature many more in the future.

Artwork of the Day: Startling Detective Adventures (by F.R. Glass)

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by F. R. Glass

No one can deny that he certainly looks startled!

This cover was for the March 1930 issue of Startling Detective Adventures and I think it might be one of my favorite things ever.  Apparently, this issue featured Detective John P. Hoy explaining how he soled the Kent Murder Mystery.  Hopefully, that’s not Detective Hoy falling through the trapdoor.

Artwork of the Day: The Insiders (by Verne Tossey)

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by Verne Tossey

This novel about Washington insiders and corruption was first published in 1958.  Washington corruption has obviously been a popular topic for a very long time.  It was written by Booth Money, which I’m assuming was a pseudonym.  Whether it’s real or not, it’s a great name for a writer.

The cover art is by Verne Tossey, who I profiled back in 2017.  It features a stereotypical corrupt pol (they’re always overweight and bald) and a woman who I assume is meant to be his mistress.  While talking on the phone, she’s holding a newspaper that features headline about the Senate investigating a lobbyist.  Influence is definitely about to be peddled in the shadow of the Capitol Dome!

 

Artwork of the Day: Swamp Nymph (Artist Unknown)

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Artist Unknown

This book was originally published in 1962.  John B. Thomas was a Louisiana native and World War II veteran who wrote at least 75 books over the course of his literary career.  Though most of his books were ignored during his lifetime, they’ve subsequently been rediscovered by collectors and he’s developed a cult reputation.  Swamp Nymph was recently reissued, with a far less effective cover.

I don’t know why certain men were apparently so obsessed with hooking up in the swamp but apparently it was a popular topic during the pulp era.  Between the mosquitos, the leeches, the crocodiles, and the malaria, it probably wasn’t worth it.  The cover artist’s identity is unknown but this cover undoubtedly sold a lot of books.  I’m just impressed that someone can keep their makeup and their hair so perfect while living in a swamp.

Artwork of the Day: I Fear You Not! (by Raymond Johnson)

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by Raymond Johnson

This book was first published in 1956.  According to Amazon, it’s a “racy, realistic look at gangsters who terrorized the entire town.”  Did they terrorize why them while on the phone in the tub?  I guess if he could “buy cops the way he bought women,” he might as well.

This cover was done by Raymond Johnson, whose work has been featured many times on this site.  Obviously, the thing that catches your attention about this cover is the way the giant exclamation mark is also used to give the reader a peek inside the story.  No one in either the period or the mark above appear to be feeling any fear.

Artwork of the Day: Glamour Photography (by Rafael De Soto)

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by Rafael De Soto

This was the cover of the Summer 1957 edition of Glamour Photography. I tried to find more information about the magazine but my Google search took me to some pretty weird places so I guess this cover (and the “glamour studio on wheels” blurb) will just have to speak for itself.

This cover was done by Rafael De Soto.  I’ve shared a lot of De Soto’s work on this site.  Apparently, in the 50s, farm girls would get all dressed up and sit at the side of the road while photographers cruised up and Route 66, searching for legs to photograph.  This cover is both innocent and tawdry.  I hope no one got in the car.