Acquired Tastes XLIII: Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 67 - Manhard Books, Part 2 of 6

Acquired Tastes XLIII: 

Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 67

Manhard Books, Part 2 of 6

Today, we'll continue our look at the Manhard imprint from Surrey House, Inc. / Surree Ltd, Inc. of San Diego and Santee, California. These books were distributed by the same company Trojan Books and Gay Way Books used; the Zorro Distribution Company, also operating out of San Diego. And, at this point, I am not sure that all these imprints aren't related. I say this because I recently purchased a Gay Way book and when I looked in the back of the book, where they offer other titles to purchase, they had listed titles from all the various imprints Zorro Distribution Company dealt with, including the HIS series, which we have yet to take a look at, but are tied to Surrey House, Inc.

The Manhard imprint published just under 100 titles from 1973-1979.

The style of the cover art would only change once near the end of the imprint's life. All the black ink line drawings appear to have been done by a single artist, or a pair of artists with similar styles, whose name(s) remain(s) unknown. There are also a number of covers I have been unable to locate.

Here are the second dozen titles:

Cockwork Orange

Author: Richard Mark

MH413

Clever appropriation, eh? I must say, I find the artwork as captivating as Tom of Finland, although imbued with a less menacing air and a bit more humor. Idealized body types? Of course. It's porn!

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Long Hard Wynters

Author: Bob Wynters

MH14

This is the first of three in a series... or there are two sequels, at any rate. This is also the first time this particular artwork appears on a cover. You'll see what I mean, later in this post. 

I wonder why the author's last name and the family name in the title are the same? A memoir, perhaps? At any rate, something tells me that incest is likely among its themes. 

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Growing Up Hard

Author: Wim Becker

MH415

Yet another truly great cover. If anyone happens to know the artist's name, please leave it in the comments section, for I have yet to stumble upon it. I love those shorts and the position assumed. I'd say it looks like me on a good day at the prairie, but given that musculature and the subject's youth? Hardly the case. Sigh.

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By The Balls

Author: Dick Glanz

MH416

Favorite pseudonym, ever! That said... doesn't that illustration look familiar? A bit of a curiosity for the imprint, as I believe this to be the only cover art to be used twice. And sequentially so close to the original. That may be indicative of exactly how little the cover art has to do with a given novel's content. 

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Mr. Suck

Author: Art Smith

MH417

That's is what they used to call me at the prairie. Love the cut of his... well, everything! He looks like G.I. Joe's boyfriend, no?

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Hot Load Trucker

Author: Jed Coxe

MH418

I almost didn't find this one. Had given up and happened over to Etsy, where I found a copy on sale for $40. No, I did not buy it. But it serves to show that these things are not cheap. I mean, they are, but they're not. Some of the titles we've looked at in the past are on sale at that site for between $125-$275. I am hoping interest continues to grow, making these books even more valuable over time. Funny how that which was once considered inessential and disposable sometimes becomes that which is highly sought after and valued. 

Take a look at the pages of text provided for a clue as to the quality of the writing. 

Back Cover:

"As a grunt he learned how to drive the big trucks... and ho to drive the big pinks down willing throats. He drifted right into the hot-load business... where he could find enough willing  suckers to try to keep it drained dry."

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Snow Job

Author: Bob Cochran

MH419

A very cute cover. My freshman year in college was nothing like this! Sigh. 

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Wynter's Tail

Author: Bob Wynters

MH420

Second in the series. Clever title. Wynter must be the name of the protagonist of the series. I'm glad we moved on to this imprint. The artwork is really... inspiring! Granted, the guys are all of a certain type and a bit 'gay generic,' but the quality remains quite high. I can't imagine  drawing so many, so quickly, but then drawing is a skill I never had the patience or discipline to acquire.

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Jock Stud 

Author: Glen Davis 

MH421

Found this one at the last minute, and glad I did. I sure miss group showers. 

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(Cover Not Found)

Buddy's Butt 

Author: Rich Cummings

MH422

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All Day Sucker

Author: Art Smith

MH423

It amazes me that these were ever sold for a dollar, considering how much they go for these days. I remember seeing them at the dirty bookstore. I would walk by them, but not consider buying them. Photos offered immediate gratification. Also, I have a deep respect for books. Unlike the glossy photo magazines, I could never bring myself to throw out a book. 

I can't believe all the classic porn I put in the garbage. Had I kept it, given, again, how collectible it's all become, I could finance a trip to Europe. Granted, some of the pages might have been stuck together, but, well... there's no explanation for that, now is there? It probably would have effected it's resale value, although, in some circles, it might have actually improved its value. 

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Beachballer

Author: Eric Todd

MH424

"An entire novel that takes place in one single day."

There are two sequels to this title. Two! Though, based on the word salad served up on the back cover, I can't imagine why.

Back Cover:

"His was up all the time, and shoved all the way inside any opening in sight. There were the specials, of course, like two of them, side by side, hunching into the same hot, tight canal... filling it up hard and coming again." 

I don't understand the "Price: Danish Kr. 19." That would seem to indicate that they were exporting these books? Really? 

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Cockfighters

Author: Rich Cummings

MH25

I'm always up for a little 'sword play!' And look at that ass. Nicely drawn. This cover seems a bit more fleshed out that the others; more depth and shading. 

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Bunghole Buddies

Author: O.J. Fletcher

MH26

Another great pseudonym. I suspect that masseur is doing this pro bono... because those two certainly don't seem the type who have to pay for it. 

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The Cop On 69th Street

Author: Rick Phillips

MH427

Oh, dear... I don't like where this one is going. While I have no issues with insertive porn, I always get a bit squeamish when things like baseball bats and police batons are used. Although, based on the grin on the face of the dude about to be on the receiving end, something tells me he doesn't feel the same way.  

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And that's all for this week. 

Next week, another dozen Manhard covers to feast your eyes on.

Until then... thanks for reading!

All Day Sucker - Stevie Wonder & The Roots