Artist: Glen Orbik (American, 1963–2015)
Title: Fifty to One
Medium: Limited Edition Paper Print
Edition: Limited Edition of 150 — No. 22/150
Image Size: Approx. 58cm x 86cm (23" x 34")
Frame Size: Approx. 94cm x 124cm (37" x 49")
Framed: Yes — presented in a contemporary frame with mount, ready to hang.
Condition: Image: Very good, no visible marks or fading. Frame: Good, light signs of handling only.
Provenance: DeMontfort Fine Art — accompanied by original Certificate of Authenticity.
Gallery Price: £995
Curated Treasures Price: £445
About the Artwork
Fifty to One is a classic Glen Orbik noir scene, created for the Hard Case Crime universe. A trench‑coated, fedora‑tipped figure sits at a desk piled high with pulp paperbacks, while a red‑haired femme fatale leans in from the shadows. Venetian blinds, painted signage and the glow of interior light all combine to evoke the golden age of hard‑boiled detective fiction.
Orbik’s command of light and shadow gives the piece a cinematic quality — you can almost hear the city outside and the rustle of pages on the desk. The composition is rich with period detail, from the typography on the book covers to the cut of the clothing, making this a standout example of his work for crime and pulp publishers.
As a limited edition paper print, numbered 22/150 and signed by the artist, this piece offers collectors a highly desirable slice of contemporary pulp illustration, backed by strong provenance through DeMontfort Fine Art.
About the Artist
Glen Orbik was an American illustrator renowned for his pulp‑inspired covers for publishers such as Hard Case Crime and DC Comics. His work channels the visual language of mid‑20th‑century paperback art — bold lighting, dramatic poses and tightly constructed narratives within a single frame. Orbik’s paintings are prized for their craftsmanship and their affectionate, knowing homage to classic noir and crime illustration.
Since his passing in 2015, interest in his work has only grown, with collectors seeking out both original paintings and well‑documented limited editions such as Fifty to One.
