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About DonHerron.com
In 1977 Don Herron began leading The Dashiell Hammett Tour, now the longest-running literary tour in the nation. On this site you’ll find information on current walks — dates, where to meet, arranging tours by appointment — plus a hard-boiled blog with news, reviews of books and film, and a dash of noir.
The latest and greatest edition to self-guide you up and down the mean streets.
Willeford: The Book
Includes the first “Mr. Hunt” story, “Knives in the Dark.”
Monthly Archives: June 2019
Rediscovered: Chester Gould, Signatory
For Autograph Hound Super-Sunday, how about a piece that makes even Brian Leno take notice? And he’s virtually buried in John Hancocks! Brian reports, “Chester Gould would not be considered a rare autograph, but his signature is one that cries out … Continue reading
Sinister Cinema: Prove It
Last Autograph Hound Saturday Brian Leno trotted out his copy of the 1948 Arkham House volume Roads, signed twice by author Seabury Quinn and twice by artist Virgil Finlay — from the Jack Palance estate sale. I bet some people are … Continue reading
Posted in Film, Lit
Tagged Autographs, Brian Leno, Jack Palance, Roads, Seabury Quinn, Virgil Finlay
Sinister Cinema: And Why Not Liam Neeson as Marlowe?
Brian Wallace sends me links to stuff all the time. He’s like my man-on-the-internet-street or an all-knowing stool pigeon or something, tracking down every hardboiled mention or rumor of a hardboiled mention. A reboot or new version of ace P.I. … Continue reading
Rediscovered: A Chat with the Sundial Book Club
Michael Chong hasn’t sent any cool online tidbits about Charles Willeford in awhile, so maybe one was due. A little interview with Betsy Willeford — https://www.wlrn.org/post/mystery-writer-and-teacher-loved-freaking-out-his-students — posted June 20, occasioned by the Sundial Book Club selecting Miami Blues as … Continue reading
Frisco Beat: In the Alley
Jeez. Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in. . . . In three days I’ve got the talk or panel with Signman: John Law in Oakland, a couple of hours, and done. I figured after … Continue reading
Posted in Frisco, SFSC
Tagged Chuck Prophet, Jack Kerouac alley, John Law, Kevin Hunsanger, San Francisco Cultural History Museum
Rediscovered: Quinn (Not the Eskimo)
Yeah, I know what some of you must be thinking: What kind of lame Autograph Hound Super-Sunday is this, anyway, that doesn’t even lay down a single John Hancock? So, to deliver the goods, how about the inscription Seabury Quinn scratched … Continue reading
Posted in Lit
Tagged Arkham House, Autographs, Brian Leno, Clark Ashton Smith, E. Hoffmann Price, J. Dan Price, Phantom Fighter, Seabury Quinn
Rediscovered: Beat to Crap by Jack Palance
On Autograph Hound Saturday we showed you the signatures. How about on Autograph Hound Super-Sunday we show you the book they came in? To nab those autos you need this copy of the book. Leno mentioned the battered condition of … Continue reading
Posted in Film, Lit, Willeford
Tagged Arkham House, Autographs, Book Collecting, Jack Palance, Knopf yellowback Machens, Roads, Seabury Quinn
Rediscovered: Finlay on the Flap
And what, you may ask, happened to the second Virgil Finlay autograph Brian Leno claimed came with his copy of Roads once owned by Jack Palance? That signature — as above — was done on the bottom of the inside … Continue reading
Rediscovered: Seabury Quinn, Virgil Finlay and Jack Palance, Oh My!
Autograph Hound Saturday again, time for that old Autograph Hound Dog Brian Leno to pull something out of his collection and amuse the audience with a John Hancock or two. Today he’s selected to trot out a 1948 Arkham House release, and says, “I … Continue reading
Posted in Film, Lit
Tagged Arkham House, Autographs, Book Collecting, Brian Leno, Jack Palance, Seabury Quinn, Virgil Finlay
