There has been some research conducted into the readership of the pulps, notably Erin A. Smith’s Hard-Boiled: Working-Class Readers and Pulp Magazines. In that spirit, with tongue firmly in cheek, I offer you this composite portrait of the readership of Dime Detective, based on the ads I saw in the magazine during my review of three issues from the 1930s, 40s and 50s.
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| A composite image of the audience of Dime Detective, constructed solely from the ads within |
No wonder the pulps died out, if their readers were such basket cases. I for one was surprised they managed to survive so long and hope the current readership is of better stock ?
Another reason that hurt circulations were the readers that were exasperated arguing with newsdealers because they tried to buy DIME DETECTIVE with a dime but the cover cost was 15 or 25 cents.
That prostate problem could be cured by a device that was advertised in various pulps, the Recto Rotor. The ad said it was six inches long and would "reach your vital spot to such good purpose."
No wonder the pulps didn't survive, the readers couldn't have 🙂