Category Archives: Art

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

Posted on by Dazzling Erin

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)

Posted on by Dazzling Erin

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)

Posted on by Dazzling Erin

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)

Posted on by Dazzling Erin

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.

Artwork of the Day: The Country School — A Teacher’s Delight (by Bill Edwards)

Posted on by Dazzling Erin

by Bill Edwards

As you can guess from the fashion choices made by the teacher and the student on the cover of this book, The Country School was first published in 1970.  According to no less an authority than the Library of Congress Copyright Office, Sharon Gordon was a pseudonym.

The cover at was by Bill Edwards, a former Hollywood actor and model who found a second career as a cover artist and a third career as a licensed SCUBA instructor.  Teachers seducing their students was apparently a popular subject for pulp novels, especially the novels of the 60s and 70s.  Though the cover blurb suggests that the teacher is the one initiating the seduction, she’s seated in the cover while the student towers over her, which creates a skewed power dynamic.  Though his face is turned at an angle, what we can see actually makes the student look older than the teacher.  Maybe he’s had to repeat a grade or two.

Artwork of the Day: Up To Her Neck (Artist Unknown)

Posted on by Dazzling Erin

Artist Unknown

This book was first published in 1955.

The artist is unknown.  I wish I could tell you who did this cover because it’s one of my favorites.  From the blowing wind to the man in the creek who appears to be saying, “I got undressed, how about you?,” this is a very evocative cover that is open to so many different interpretations.  Did Shirley and the man go to the creek together or did Shirley follow the man and then wait for him to see her?  Or did the man spot Shirley at the creek and then swim over to her?  Is the man smiling because he’s just seen Shirley or is he smiling because the water is refreshing?  Is Shirley intrigued by the man or is she just playing coy?  This is a cover the invites you to open the book and find out for yourself.

Artwork of the Day: Too Much Woman (Artist Unknown)

Posted on by Dazzling Erin

Artist Unknown

The book was first published in 1961.  The cover artist is unknown and I couldn’t find any information on Elliott Gilbert either.

Joan Manready’s name appears to be appropriate as she’s ready for any man.  I guess the title means that she had too much passion for just one man, like her husband, to satisfy.  Her husband is cold, which means that Joan has to seduce (or, as the cover puts it, conquer) the pool boy.  Not surprisingly, the pool boy is not putting up much resistance.  Speaking for myself, I like the broad shoulders and the abs but the unibrow is a definite turn off.