Vintage Pulp

May 20 2021

RIGHT JABS

A shot in the arm may finally set us free.

We got our vaccinations today, and in commemoration we have a collection of paperback covers featuring syringes. These should be considered a supplement to the larger collection of needles we put together in 2013. The process of vaccination was surprisingly efficient. The health pros were going thorough people at a rate of about one per minute. There’s been no controversy here. No talk about refusing. Vaccinations are considered the right and sensible thing to do. We’ve had some shots before in our lives and mostly didn’t feel them. This one felt exactly someone stabbing you in the arm with a long, sharp object.

During the last year-plus about ten friends got sick and recovered, and a couple of friends died, one in Guatemala and one in the U.S. But we can’t complain about how the period has gone for us. We have plenty of space, an ocean view, mellow girlfriends, and we work online. Having all of that makes us reflect upon how difficult it’s been for so many others. Early last year we threw a birthday party for PSGP. That party turned out to be the last get together between our social group, the last hurrah. Well, when it seems safe we’re having a first hurrah. And we’ll toast to our lost friends. Let’s hope all these vaccinations work. More needles below.

R.L. Goldman, Nelson Algren, Roland Vane, Andrew Shaw, Gil Lawrence, Albert L. Quandt, Leonard Gribble, Sloane Britain, Sloane Britton, Gérard Moreau, Reginald Heade, Leslie Huxon, cover art, cover collection, literature

Vintage Pulp

May 8 2016

RED SHUNA DIARIES

Ever get the feeling you've met someone before?

Shuna and the Lost Tribe and Shuna White Queen of the Jungle were written by British author John King, aka Ernest L. McKeag, and reached bookstores via Harborough Publishing in 1951. Shuna is exactly what she seems to be—the archetypal Western literary fantasy of a naturalistic and uncorrupted white woman maintaining semi-sexual thralldom over black hordes who look on with wonder but never, ever get to touch. She’s also a virtual copy, right down to the form-fitting leopardskin tunic, of the character Sheena, who appeared in the 1930s, and was part of a wave of lost world literature, comics, and movies that came after the runaway success of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ 1912 novel Tarzan of the Apes. We’re a little surprised King was able to basically steal Sheena’s name. He seems to have gotten away with it, though—we found no mention in the historical record of legal trouble. Maybe it’s like the whole Britney Spears vs. Britney Rears thing. The name is close, but juuust different enough to avoid a lawsuit. Anyway, the cover art is really the thing to focus on here. We love these. They’re two of the most striking efforts we’ve seen from the incomparable Reginald Heade, and a reminder we need to feature him more.

Britain, Harborough Publishing, Shuna and the Lost Tribe, Shuna White Queen of the Jungle, Sheena Queen of the Jungle, Tarzan of the Apes, John King, Ernest L. McKeag, Reginald Heade, Edgar Rice Burroughs, cover art, literature

Vintage Pulp

July 27 2015

GIVING HEADE

You should have seen it. It was unbelievable. From base to tip it was like this. I swear.

Originally published in 1952, this paperback edition of Hank Janson’s Conflict came from British publisher Alexander Moring in 1957. The art is uncredited and unsigned, but it’s undoubtedly Reginald Heade, who stopped putting a name to his work after seven of Janson’s books brought about an obscenity trial and guilty verdicts. Though Janson’s writing was racy, we doubt that this cover is supposed to convey what we imply. But you have to admit—it’s a really curious pose from the female figure. See a bit more Heade here.

Britain, Alexander Moring, Hank Janson, Stephen Daniel Frances, Reginald Heade, cover art, literature

Vintage Pulp

December 27 2012

HEADE CASE

Three Heades are better than one.

The pantheon of pulp illustrators is populous, which means it takes time to get to all of them. Today, we finally get around to celebrating yet another artistic genius, with three great pieces from British painter Reginald Heade. He did his work in the 1940s and 1950s, and his sculpturally coiffed, long-legged dames, often garbed in draped dresses, make his style instantly recognizable. You can see quite a few more Heade pieces at the website goodgirlart.com.

Britain, Reginald Heade, Spike Morelli, Roland Vane, Paul Reville, cover art, literature

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HISTORY REWIND

The headlines that mattered yesteryear.

October 12

1978—Sid Vicious Arrested for Murder

Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious is arrested on suspicion of murder after the body of his girlfriend Nancy Spungen is found in their room at New York City’s Chelsea Hotel. Vicious and Spungen had a famously stormy relationship, but Vicious proclaims he is innocent. He is released on bail and dies of a heroin overdose before a trial takes place.

October 12

1979—Adams Publishes First Hitchhiker's Book

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, the first of five books in a series, is published by Douglas Adams. The novels follow on the heels of the tremendously successful British television series of the same name.

October 11

1976—China Coup Thwarted

The new head of the Chinese Communist Party, Hua Goufeng, snuffs out a coup led by Chairman Mao’s widow Jiang Qing and three other party members. They become known as the Gang of Four, and are tried, found guilty of treason, and receive death sentences that are later commuted to lengthy prison terms.

October 11

1987—Loch Ness Expedition Ends

A sonar exploration of Scotland’s Loch Ness, called Operation Deepscan, ends after a week without finding evidence that the legendary Loch Ness Monster exists. While the flotilla of boats had picked up three sonar contacts indicating something large in the waters, these are considered to be detections of salmon schools or possibly seals.

October 10

1971—London Bridge Goes Up

After being sold, dismantled and moved to the United States, London Bridge reopens in the resort town of Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

October 10

1975—Burton and Taylor Marry Again

British actor Richard Burton and American screen star Elizabeth Taylor secretly remarry sixteen months after their divorce, then jet away to a second honeymoon in Chobe Game Park in Botswana.

October 9

1967—Che Executed in Bolivia

A day after being captured, Marxist revolutionary Ernesto “Che” Guevara is executed in Bolivia. In an attempt to make it appear as though he had been killed resisting Bolivian troops, the executioner shoots Guevara with a machine gun, wounding him nine times in the legs, arm, shoulder, throat, and chest.