Acquired Tastes XLIII
Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 47
101 Enterprises, Part 3 of 4
Information regarding some publishers of classic gay pulp fiction is hard to come by. Given the censorship laws at the time and the subject material, many such publishers knew better than to leave much of a paper trail. 101 Enterprises is one such publisher.
Here's the little that is known about them:
101 Enterprises operated out of New York from 1967-69. During that time they published 48 books and I managed to find covers for all of them.
These books were not bound; they did not have a spine. Rather, they had a graphic wrap (a cover) and were held together with centered staples.
The artwork varied greatly, and included crude drawings, and 'borrowed' images and illustrations.
All the authors, with a few exceptions (Carl Corley), wrote under pseudonyms in order to avoid prosecution. Many of the pseudonyms were one-offs and untraceable.
At a later date, we'll be taking a look at the first chapter of one the titles published by this imprint. I've also read one book published by 101 Enterprises, and I'll be writing a review on that book for a future post.
The Sergeant
Author: George Davies
101-25
These look like a a couple of sea dogs to me. And something tells me those undies aren't military issue. Cute fellas. And they appear to be of age... which has been something of a rarity for this imprint.
Regarding that pseudonym: "George Llewelyn Davies (July 20, 1893- March 15, 1915) was the eldest son of Arthur and Sylvia Llewelyn Davies. Along with his four younger brothers, George was the inspiration for playwright J. M. Barrie's characters of Peter Pan and the Lost Boys. The character of Mr. George Darling was named after him. He was killed in action in the First World War and was a first cousin of the English writer Daphne du Maurier."
I love me some clever assumption.
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Trick Of The Trade
Author: Carl Corley
101-26
Beginning in the 1950s, he drew physique art for male beefcake magazines and for sale as posters. In the 60's and 70's, he managed to publish 22 books, most for PEC imprint, all featuring his own dazzling artwork.
In addition to gay pulp, he dabbled in the non-erotic world of Louisiana history and books with religious themes. I would go into more detail, but have decided he is worthy of his own post... so look for that in the near future.
Back Cover:
In addition to gay pulp, he dabbled in the non-erotic world of Louisiana history and books with religious themes. I would go into more detail, but have decided he is worthy of his own post... so look for that in the near future.
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Summer Of Studs
Author: Allan James
101-27
Hard to believe this cover made it through quality control. Ha! Like 101 Enterprises had such a thing.
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Geisha Boys
Author: Arnold Dixon
101-28
Aww. That's a cute illustration. If this were a children's book. What it has to do with the title? I have no clue. Something tells me the editors didn't either.
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The Young & The Bad
Author: Arnold Dixon
101-29
The boys were young and ambitious, the men were influential and had money. Some were good and some were bad. A behind the scenes picture of Broadway and the boys who would do anything to get to the top.
"It all began when Ned set his eyes on some of young Boyd's 'boy friends' and wanted them. He told Boyd that he would deliver or get himself out on the street. To make it worse he told Boyd that his show business career would be finished until the kid would 'procure' some likely looking young stuff for him. That was how it began... going down... down... down...
Boyd is forced to hustle to support his young lover, Randy. But Boyd found out soon that his lover, Randy, 'is taking the needle.' Randy is hooked and needs money for one fix after another. Now, Boyd has to sell himself to anyone, in show business and out, to pay for Randy's habit in a bizarre situation.
Backstage and private parties. You are taken into dressing rooms, basements, attics, those 'out of the way' rooming houses and the plush private parties. You will see a secret side to show business that is always whispered about. A bold and penetrating novel by someone who was with the 'in' set and tells all."
Sounds like Valley of the Trolls! We'll be taking a closer look at this title in a few week weeks. So much fun!
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Coming Out
Author: Bob Frazier
101-30
Cue Miss Ross! I dare say, these boys are risque', given the day! To be that wrist-bendy on the back of a motor bike! And look at blondie all naked in a field. Splendor in the grass? Splendor in his ass!
P.S. Note the price increase! One has to pay for quality, don't you know.
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Virtiltiy Valley
Author: Bob Frazier
101-31
'Virtility'. Virility + Fertility = 'Virtility'? So... we talking butt babies here? Or maybe it's a reference to farmers plowing fields? Well, I see something we'd all like to harvest. That is one cute curly-headed ab machine strutting his stuff, wearing nothing but a cloth pouch. Sigh. I have always had a thing for the curly blond type... William Katt springs to mind. He makes other things 'spring', as well.
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Ballet Boys
Author: Carl Coolen
101-32
Carl Coolen, agent provocateur. Taking on the world of ballet. But something tells me this is no Turning Point. The artwork? Those banana hammocks look like they were drawn on. And the whole pose? That's not ballet...
That's Bondage 101.
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Joy Stick
Author: Milton C. Longe, Jr.
101-33
Imagine coining the phrase long before Ralph H. Bear had even an inkling of the concept for the Magnavox Odyssey! Of course, this is no video game. Although, given the cover, it's hard to tell what this one is about. The creep factor looms rather large, what with those spooky eyed twins lounging idly while one of the 'plays the flute' (that's code, you know!)
Shades of Thomas Tyrone's The Other?
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Cream Of The Crop
Author: Milton C. Longe, Jr.
101-34
Again. The artwork. Let's take the photo of two twinks and superimpose the drawing of a giant boy head on top. Was this... innovative? It looks like a bad Sci-Fi B-movie from the 1950's. Though, I do like the color scheme.
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Hard To Handle
Author: Milton C. Longe, Jr.
101-35
This is a Tom of Finland illustration. Well, if you're going to rip something off... make it something of quality. I love a good cruising scene. But these days? No babe in the woods, I... more like the troll under the bridge. Hey. Everybody gotta get some, am I right?
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Forbidden Fruit
Author: Floyd Carter
101-36
I actually like this cover. Although I suspect they've drawn the jock onto the dude on the right. I would love to see the original. A couple of curiosities embedded. Is that a crucifix around the blonde's neck? Or? And is that a cat 'o nine tails in the hand of the boy on the right? Lots of interesting tension in that drawing. I wonder if the writing within lives up to it?
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Well, that's all for now. We have one more post of 12 covers for this particular imprint. Then, a first chapter from one of the books, followed by a review by yours truly of another title from this imprint. And then a special profile on Carl Corley, which I will use as a springboard into our next imprint: the impressive catalogue of PEC's French Line.
Yes, the world of classic gay pulp fiction! The gift that keeps giving.
Leave your thoughts in the comments section.
Thanks for reading.
Joystick - The Dazz Band
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3 comments:
Whoa.
Some of the covers did circle that age of consent limit very closely. I did notice the raise in price. You mentioned they were very expensive for the times and I agree!
And it seems some of these authors did have some pedigree, no?
XOXO
so nice covers
You are correct: That's no ballet pose! Sheesh.... No effort put into that cover at all. And, do they have sergeants in the Navy??? Though I seem to prefer the covers with photos over the sketches. Kisses!
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