#nugget library

[yesterdaysprint]

Nugget Library, March 12, 1891

[obsidian-sphere]

Nugget Library # 49 1921

Define “amazing” Nugget library.

[niudl-blog]

Tom Edison Jr's Electric Sea Spider, or, The Wizard of the Submarine World | Nickels and Dimes | Northern Illinois University Digital Library

Although there were any number of precursors, like Ellis’s book, the Tom Edison, Jr. novels by Philip Reade are often considered to be the first proper Edisonades. Tom builds a number of miraculous steam-powered weapons and vehicles, which allow him to bring “civilization” (i.e. American culture) to the uncivilized parts of the world. While a fascinating part of the history of science fiction and American culture, readers are warned that these stories are jingoistic and racist. This particular novel, for example, features one of the earliest examples of the Yellow Peril stereotype in fiction, embodied in the Asian villain Kiang Hao.

Posted by Matthew Short, Metadata Librarian  

[chronivore]

[steammanofthewest]

Hooded gang dime novel, The Nugget Library No. 88, April 9, 1891, “Diamond Dick's Dummy; or, The Yellers of Yuba" by W.B. Lawson (house name). Image from Library of Congress microfilm. Reprinted in Diamond Dick Library No. 5 (1899) and Diamond Dick Jr. No. 155 (1899).

The Steam Man of the West

[steammanofthewest]

Sea monster dime novel, The Nugget Library No. 13, November 21, 1889, "The Search for Captain Kidd" by Colonel Juan Lewis (John Woodruff Lewis). From Library of Congress microfilm.

The Steam Man of the West

[wctruitt]

“Diamond Dick” 

The Hardest Man that Ever Lived

Mr. Dick was legendary for probing deep into the unknown recesses of the American frontier in search of climactic excitement and adventure. He could snatch more bucktoothed beavers out of them creeks than any loudmouthed rug-snapper of his era.  

DD was also renowned for his proclivity for pounding back a few stiffies at the local saloon and then headin’ out to rough up a few suspects.  There was one bald, chubby, sawed-off little one-eyed bandit in particular that got the brunt of Dick’s frustration and got a firm walloping frequently; especially when Mr. Dick had just come in from a long stint out on the trail.  

One thing was for sure…when Dick went off you surely did not want to be in his line of fire for he was sure to give you a hefty discharge from his trusty side iron, ol’ “Gravy Slinger”.