Pulp -- Brave and Bold -- August 4, 2024

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Before the pulps, there were the dime novels, which sometimes cost a nickel. This issue of Brave and Bold, from 06-January-1906, shows That Boy Checkers, who brought a knife to a tiger fight. That Boy Checkers, or Chased Half Way Around the World was written by Lawrence White, Jr. 

Pulp -- Wide Awake Library -- May 7, 2025

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Before the pulps, there were the dime novels, which sometimes cost a nickel. This issue of the Wide Awake Library featured the first full account of the life of bandit William Bonney, who was called Billy the Kid. The Kid died, shot by Sheriff Pat Garrett, on 14-July-1881. The True Life of Billy the Kid, written by John Woodruff Lewis, was published six weeks later.

Boston Post, 19-July-1881

Frank Merriwell's Athletic Team -- June 5, 2023

Before the pulps, there were the dime novels. The 14-July-1900 issue of Tip Top Weekly featured Frank Merriwell. Merriwell was an upright young man, a talented sportsman who neither smoked nor drank. I think he is the catcher in this baseball scene. Be sure to click on the image to see a larger version.

The image is from a wonderful but defunct Stanford University site, "Dime Novels and Penny Dreadfuls":
http://library.stanford.edu/depts/dp/pennies/home.html

Meanwhile the Giants have passed .500. 

Pulp -- The Electric Horse -- September 6, 2022

library.stanford.edu/depts/dp/pennies/home.html

Before the pulps, there were the dime novels. The 23-April-1887 issue of The Boys of New York/A Paper for Young Americans featured precocious inventor Frank Reade, Jr and his marvelous Electric Horse. Frank, his crew and the horse were on their way to Peru search for lost Mayan treasure. 

Opening Day -- April 8, 2022

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At last, it is opening day for the Giants. The lockout hurt. 

The Giants beat the Marlins 6-5 in ten innings. Joey Bart hit his first Major League home run. 

Brave & Bold was a dime novel published by Street and Smith. 

Pulp -- Nick Carter Library -- November 17, 2015

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Nick Carter was a detective who appeared in dime novels, pulp magazines, radio shows, movies and a television pilot. I remember seeing a Czech movie called Dinner for Adele at the Clay, which had Nick Carter in Prague. I wanted to make a Super-8 Nick Carter movie but could never get it organized.

Here is an example of a dime novel from the Nick Carter Library. 

Jack Wright and His Prairie Engine -- September 21, 2014

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The October, 1902 issue of the dime novel Pluck and Luck reprinted the 1892 story "Jack Wright and His Prairie Engine; or, Among the Bushmen of Australia" by NONAME.  Luis Senarens wrote a series of science fiction stories about the brilliant inventor.

Stories about brilliant boy inventors like Jack Wright and Frank Reade, Jr are called Edisonades by modern critics. 

Jack Wright and His Electric Stage; or, Leagued Against the James Boys:
http://cablecarguy.blogspot.com/2013/07/pulp-45-july-19-2013.html

Be sure to click on the image to see a larger version.  

Pulp #45 -- July 19, 2013

Issue 344 of the dime novel Boys' Star Library featured the story "Jack Wright and His Electric Stage; or, Leagued Against the James Boys" by NONAME.  Luis Senarens wrote a series of science fiction stories about the brilliant inventor.  The electric stage is aptly named "Terror."  Be sure to click on the image to see a larger version.  

The image is from a wonderful Stanford University site, "Dime Novels and Penny Dreadfuls":
http://library.stanford.edu/depts/dp/pennies/home.html

Pulp #39 -- January 17, 2013

 

The Steam Man of the Plains returns, this time in the company of Frank Reade, Sr.  This novel was an imitation of his previous appearance in this blog: 

http://cablecarguy.blogspot.com/2010/08/pulp-15-august-19-2010.html 

Pulp #28 -- September 23, 2011

Before the pulps, there were the dime novels. The 30-July-1898 issue of Tip Top Weekly featured Frank Merriwell. Merriwell was an upright young man, a talented sportsman who neither smoked nor drank. This is the best cover illustration I have seen from the series. Be sure to click on the image to see a larger version.

The image is from a wonderful Stanford University site, "Dime Novels and Penny Dreadfuls":
http://library.stanford.edu/depts/dp/pennies/home.html

Pulp #20 -- January 18, 2011

Before the pulps, there were the dime novels. Pluck and Luck made the second printing of Alert J Booth's early science fiction novel Two Boys' Trip to an Unknown Planet in 1901. It was originally published in The Boys of New York in 1889. Two boys run away from school, volunteer to participate in a balloon ascension, and wind up on the planet Margino.

Pulp #15 -- August 19, 2010

Before the pulps, there were the dime novels. Beadle's Half Dime Library made the second printing of Edward Ellis' early science fiction novel The Huge Hunter; or, The Steam Man of the Prairies in 1882. Steam punk is off and running.