A complete, restored issue of Pulp Fiction from 1897 — 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 · 1897

Beadle's Half Dime Library Vol. XL, No. 1020

1897 · Free to read

Beadle's Half Dime Library Vol. XL, No. 1020 — page 2 of 16 — 2 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library Vol. XL, No. 1020 — page 3 of 16 — 3 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library Vol. XL, No. 1020 — page 4 of 16 — 4 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library Vol. XL, No. 1020 — page 5 of 16 — 5 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library Vol. XL, No. 1020 — page 6 of 16 — 6 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library Vol. XL, No. 1020 — page 7 of 16 — 7 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library Vol. XL, No. 1020 — page 8 of 16 — 8 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library Vol. XL, No. 1020 — page 9 of 16 — 9 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library Vol. XL, No. 1020 — page 10 of 16 — 10 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library Vol. XL, No. 1020 — page 11 of 16 — 11 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library Vol. XL, No. 1020 — page 12 of 16 — 12 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library Vol. XL, No. 1020 — page 13 of 16 — 13 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library Vol. XL, No. 1020 — page 14 of 16 — 14 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library Vol. XL, No. 1020 — page 15 of 16 — 15 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library Vol. XL, No. 1020 — page 16 of 16 — 16 / 16

About this issue

This issue of Beadle and Adams' dime novel series (No. 1020, February 1897) features "Barney Blake, the Boy Privateer; or, The Cruise of the Queer Fish" by Herrick Johnstone. The narrative, set in May 1813, follows Barney Blake, a unemployed sailor in Boston, as he joins the crew of the privateer brigantine Queer Fish, a six-gun vessel under the eccentric command of Captain Joker. The story introduces the diverse 125-man crew including boatswain Tony Trybrace, Norwegian sailor Old Nick, cook Snollygoster (described as a giant), and other colorful characters. Chapter II depicts the ship's departure from Boston harbor with comedic incidents including a stranded Polish peddler and encounters with British cruisers along the coast. The narrative blends maritime adventure with humor and portrays the privateer's mission to attack British merchant vessels during the War of 1812.

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