This appears to have been the final issue of SIX-GUN WESTERN MAGAZINE, but it's notable for a couple of other reasons. The cover is by Robert Maguire, who's probably better known for his paperback covers, and it's a late variation on the cowboy/girl/geezer trio that shows up so often on Western pulp covers. The other reason someone might be interested in this issue is that it contains one of Elmer Kelton's early stories, "Bullets From the Past". I haven't read this story and don't know anything about it. I wish somebody would do a complete collection of Kelton's pulp stories, though. I'm sure there are plenty of good yarns of his that have never been reprinted.
Otherwise, this issue appears to have been fairly undistinguished. The most recognizable of the other authors is Lloyd Eric Reeve, who published quite a few stories in a variety of Western pulps from the late Twenties to the early Fifties. There's also a story by Frank E. Smith, who was really Jonathan Craig, best known for his hardboiled crime and police procedural novels published by Gold Medal and others in the Fifties and Sixties. The other authors are either house-names or guys you've never heard of. I do kind of like that cover, though.
2 comments:
Agree that it would be nice to read some early Kelton shorts. I have enjoyed everything I have read by him, most all of his novels.
I love Maguire's paperback covers, many of which feature magnificent noir dames exuding allure and menace in equal measures.
I don't think I've seen any of his pulp work before and this is a fine cover. Makes me curious what other examples of his work might be lurking out there unseen.
Enjoyed the post about Railroad Stories. Have always been curious about some of the less celebrated pulp genres. Years ago I met a fellow who was into the sports pulps and claimed there was quite a lot of good stuff in them, notably the stories about sports other than the expected baseball, football and such. Being young and callous I made some crack about Thrilling Curling Stories, but now I wonder what odd gems might be buried in the crumbling pages of those neglected sports pulps.
John Hocking
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