William MacLeod Raine: Sons of the Saddle

Sons of the Saddle by William MacLeod Raine was published by Signet around 1980. This is a reprint about Gord Stone who was gunning for the cattle king who had framed him.

This is my favorite western cover by Allan Kass. The colors are simply gorgeous as we see the hero descending the mountain on his white horse. I like how Allan uses the whole cover as a frame for the cowboy with the distant mountains and the nearby creek. I just wish my copy was in better shape. Click to enlarge.

William MacLeod Raine: The Six-Gun Kid

William MacLeod Raine's The Six-Gun Kid was published by Signet around 1980. It's a reprint from 1952 about Randy Sloan whose feud with land hungry Anse Cottrell turned into all out vengeance.

Allan Kass shows our hero as determined as he stands on a cliff edge with his guns. Note his signature under the hero's foot. Though not as detailed as his regency covers, note the tree behind him and the greenery as well as the rock formations. Allan really enjoyed creating these covers of a land that he loved.

William MacLeod Raine: Powdersmoke Feud and Clattering Hoofs

Next up in our line of Allan Kass covers is a double story by William MacLeod Raine, a western author. Signet published this book in February 1980. Powdersmoke Feud is about a man on the run and Clattering Hoofs is about a man wrongly accused of murder.

Allan Kass illustrated both photos. He told me in a letter that he was surprised not to have more western covers since he lived in Montana! Powdersmoke Feud shows the hero alone against the elements. It's a calm, quiet cover while Clattering Hoofs shows a group of cowboys riding to possibly find our hero. We can almost see the horses moving and stirring up dust. Kass did a few westerns, so it's a treat to find them. If you know of others, please leave a comment.