A complete, restored issue of Pulp Fiction from 1891 — all 16 pages of painted-cover fiction magazines that launched science fiction, horror, and hardboiled crime, free to page through at ComicBooks.com.

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A complete issue · 16 pages · 1891

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 750

1891 · Free to read

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 750 — page 2 of 16 — 2 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 750 — page 3 of 16 — 3 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 750 — page 4 of 16 — 4 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 750 — page 5 of 16 — 5 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 750 — page 6 of 16 — 6 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 750 — page 7 of 16 — 7 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 750 — page 8 of 16 — 8 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 750 — page 9 of 16 — 9 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 750 — page 10 of 16 — 10 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 750 — page 11 of 16 — 11 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 750 — page 12 of 16 — 12 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 750 — page 13 of 16 — 13 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 750 — page 14 of 16 — 14 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 750 — page 15 of 16 — 15 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 750 — page 16 of 16 — 16 / 16

About this issue

This issue features "Violet Vane, the Vanquished; or, The Life Struggle at Shanty City," a Western romance by William G. Patten. The narrative follows two eccentric old men—the ragged, sunflower-wearing vagabond Erasmus Wagg ("Ole Blossom") and Jeduthin Corker, a Maine Yankee with precise genealogical claims—who meet outside the White Eagle Hotel in the frontier town of Shanty City. Initially quarreling over a widow named Susie Swan, they reconcile upon discovering their mutual acquaintance with the legendary Violet Vane. When a rougher character, "Dagger Dan," mocks them, Old Blossom attempts retaliation but is forced to surrender. The arrival of a stagecoach brings Maggie Mayee, an Irish girl, whom Old Jed attempts to escort with awkward chivalry. Old Blossom, adopting an Irish accent and manner, successfully charms her away from the Yankee, demonstrating his cunning adaptability. The narrative blends frontier action with comedic character interplay.

Browse this issue page by page

Each page has its own page — the cartoon, who’s in it, and what the satire means.