Sunday, December 27, 2015

Paperback 918: Call for the Saint / Leslie Charteris (Avon 526)

Paperback 918: Avon 526 (1st ptg, 1953)

Title: Call for the Saint
Author: Leslie Charteris
Cover artist: Uncredited

Estimated value: $10-15

Avon526
Best things about this cover:
  • Tied-up lady's expression: "So, uh, are we gonna do this or aren't we? .... guys?"
  • This looks more like ballet than a legit needle take-away. What is that showoff one-handed bullshit? With that dramatic right hand? WTF, Saint?
  • Would-be assailant is both racially and genderly ambiguous. I'm going with Philippine woman, but that's a (needle) stab in the dark.
  • This cover has needle *and* bondage, so it's priceless, no matter what the market dictates.

Avon526bc
Best things about this back cover:
  • She's got quadrilateral eyes!
  • Needle me once, needle me twice!
  • No shapely rags for you, missy!
  • "Almost screamed"? Not sure if her voice didn't quite there, or if she thought better of it, and went for demure statement instead.

Page 123~

"Killed? De Champ? Why, he'll moider de bum!"

Had to read this a few times to get it. I figured De Champ was a French dude.

~RP

[Follow Rex Parker on Twitter and Tumblr]

2 comments:

Pete said...

I'm thinking Fedora Guy's pelvic thrust may be having something to do with the looks of wonderment/lust/pain on the part his partner and the onlooker.

Greg M. said...

The story takes place in Rome, so the woman The Saint has grabbed from behind is presumably Italian.