The House of Horror

The artist's signature lower right — The artist’s signature lower right

An early published and signed oil on canvas by John A. Coughlin for an as of yet unidentified Street & Smith pulp title. The hand of the pulp super-villain “The Spider” is seen menacing a formally attired crowd in a surreal, chaotic action packed moment. A rare surviving original cover painting from The Golden Age of Illustration and a recent Pennsylvania estate find. Verso is titled “You Can’t Win” with a partial Street & Smith publishing label as seen. This appeared as the cover of the November 12, 1918 issue of Detective Story Magazine. Relined and restretched and ready to frame and enjoy.

Verso view with Steet and Smith Publishers label and title "You can't WIn" — Verso view with Steet and Smith Publishers label and title “You can’t WIn”

Above: Verso detail of hand written title notation

	Artist:	John Coughlin
	Date:	1918
	Medium:	Oil on Canvas
	Dimensions:	Sight Size 22" x 22 1/2"
	Condition:	Excellent
	Original Use:	Cover for November 12, 1918 Detective Story Magazine

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