Robert E. Howard’s writings
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Exact textual statePrimary Text

Winner Take All

Part of Sucker!

StatePrimary text
Textual identity is not textual authority. “Catalogue primary/default” selects the default catalogue representation; it does not mean that this wording is automatically Howard’s most authoritative text.

Catalogue facts

Published dateJuly 1930

Introduction

Winner Take All is an action-packed tale of adventure, deception, and the quest for quick wealth that features Steve Costigan and his sidekick, Bill O’Brien. In Singapore, after being swindled out of their money, they encounter Joan Wells, a woman in distress, whom they rescue from an attacker. Grateful, Joan introduces them to a supposed investment opportunity involving the Korean Copper Company, promising immense returns. Eager for wealth, Steve decides to participate in a brutal fight to raise the necessary funds.

The story was accepted around April 1930 by Fight Stories and published in volume 3 number 2, July 1930. Featuring Steve Costigan. Howard got $80 for the story. The story was again published in Fight Stories volume 6 number 2 Winter 1939-1940 under the name Mark Adam.

Through Winner Take All, Robert E. Howard delivers a vivid story of high hopes and harsh realities, driven by the allure of easy money and the bitter taste of deception.

Summary spoilers

After winning the brutal match and acquiring $36.50, Steve and Bill rush to invest in the Korean Copper Company, as advised by Joan. However, following a dangerous encounter with thugs and navigating the treacherous streets of Singapore, they finally hand their hard-earned money to Joan, who disappears into the night and returns with an envelope supposedly containing their shares. In the end, they discover it's all been a scam, and the document inside the envelope mocks their gullibility, leaving them with nothing but a costly lesson on trust and greed.

Characters in this exact text

Bill O’BrienBill O’Brien — rangy Irish Sea Girl sailor and Steve Costigan’s close friend/secondOn Pagefirst: Fists of Iron Round Two UE p. 101Heinie SteinmanHeinie Steinman — fight-arena owner/promoter/refereeOn Pagefirst: Fists of Iron Round Two UE p. 104Jerry RourkeJerry Rourke — owner/bartender of the American Bar who keeps Mike temporarilyMentionedfirst: Fists of Iron Round Two UE p. 101Joan WellsJoan Wells — American dancer/con artist who dupes Steve and BillOn Pagefirst: Fists of Iron Round Two UE p. 102MikeMike — Steve Costigan’s white bulldog and constant animal companionMentionedfirst: Fists of Iron Round Two UE p. 101Panther CortezPanther Cortez — dangerous Water Snake boxerOn Pagefirst: Fists of Iron Round Two UE p. 106Sea GirlSea Girl — merchant ship associated with Sailor Steve CostiganMentionedfirst: Fists of Iron Round Two UE p. 107Steve CostiganSteve Costigan — sailor-boxer brought in to face Snake Wamberson in The Trail of the SnakeOn Pagefirst: Fists of Iron Round Two UE p. 102To YingTo Ying — No Sen Tong figure whom Joan claims is pursuing herMentionedfirst: Fists of Iron Round Two UE p. 103Water SnakeWater Snake — British vessel with a shady reputation; later name form appears as Water-snakeMentionedfirst: Fists of Iron Round Two UE p. 107

Textual witnesses & editorial mediation

These records describe how this textual state is known or represented. A witness may be authorial, editorially mediated, restored, transcribed or otherwise derived without becoming a new Howard-authored textual state.

Fists of Iron Round Two - Ultimate EditionRestored reading editionAuthority basis: Restoration toward authorial text · Treatment: Restored toward authorial wording

https://reh.world/publications/?reh_publication=1443