 |
| (Click to enlarge and read the fine print) |
I think only the most diehard fan knows that Hammett was once an operative with the Pinkerton Detective Agency. Sam Spade was also billed a "shyster detective" and a "Don Juan", apparently traits that Knopf thought would sell the book. I won't comment further on the last portion of Spade's description.
It's hard to find a realistic dick for $2.50 these days.
ReplyDeleteHA! I knew someone would come up with a clever retort.
DeleteJohn: Why hold back? What is your opinion of unpredictable realistic "Dicks"?
ReplyDeleteI was hinting at the vulgar connotation. You really don't want to read the joke I came up with, Bill. Kelly's is good enough for me and a lot more tame.
DeleteFascinating, John. Thanks for sharing this. I often read advertisements about early fiction in vintage magazines.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this, John. I was first aware of Hammett working for Pinkerton when I watched the movie Hammett. I still haven't read the book it was based on. I loved the description "racy mystery author."
ReplyDeleteWell there are plenty of dicks in mystery fiction so I suppose one would want to trumpet an unpredictable addition to the fold (or whatever the collective noun for dicks turns ot to be) - thanks for that John!
ReplyDeleteLove how low-keyed it is. ALmost like an invitation to an event rather than an ad.
ReplyDelete