Acquired Tastes XLIII: Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 70 Manhard Books, Part 5 of 6

Acquired Tastes XLIII:

Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 70

Manhard Books, Part 5 of 6

Today we'll be taking yet another 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 as Trojan Books and Gay Way Books; the Zorro Distribution Company, also operating out of San Diego.

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'd 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. Sadly, there are also a number of covers I have been unable to locate - and this week, that seems abundantly clear.

Here are another dozen (or so) titles, for which I could only find nine covers:

 

Hot and Hard

Author: Sam Savoy

MH461

I am very disappointed I have not determined who the cover art for this imprint should be credited to, although I also believe that there are at least two, if not three, hands at play, here. The style and content are all from the same school, but there are telling differences. Take the above cover, for example: it's rather simple, lacking shading and depth. I would also say that the musculature is a bit 'off' (those pecs on the dude lying down?) It could all be the same artist at different states in the game. i.e. rushed, lazy, persnickety. But my bet would be at least two different artists' work are on display.

 

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Hard On His Tail

Author: Philip Pines

MH462

Look at all the detail and shading and depth created for this one.  It tells a bit of a story. And the hand seems much more assured, the style much more developed. 

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Boy Meat

Author: Samuel West

MH463

Some of these titles... right? They sure don't beat around the bushes. Unless, of course it's a book about cruising outdoors, then... 

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(Cover Not Found)

Lifeguard For Lunch 

Author: George Wilson 

MH464

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Policeman's Balls

Author: Steve Lynn

MH565

Hot cops are plentiful in gay porn and I have actually met a few in real life - sometimes under less than ideal conditions. This appears to be a fun one. And I adore the detail added of the graffiti above the urinals. I wish more places allowed that. Of course, now, everything gets 'tagged' over, so rather a wasted effort. Still... 

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Chicken Lickin' Good

Author: Thomas Roberts

MH466

I wonder if The Colonel approved this appropriation? I must say, I've never cared for the term 'chicken.' That kind of power dynamic always makes me uncomfortable, as it seems to indicate boys, rather than men. And if there's one thing that get's my eyes rolling, its that whole 'gay men are pedophiles' song and dance. Some are, but the percentage is no different than that of men who are straight and men who are straight far outnumber us, so... razzleberry. 

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Bottom's Up

Author: Grant Fowler

MH467

Is that a riding crop? Reminds me of Madonna, when she went in for all that imagery. Thing is, I rather liked 'Dita' when she first appeared, but by the time she was riding her dancers 'round the stage like thoroughbreds, I felt she'd outstayed her welcome. Personally? I would never allow myself to be struck with something. Not my idea of fun, at all.

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(Cover Not Found)

The Boys In The Barn 

Author: Jay Michael 

MH468

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Hard-On The Saddle

Author: Lon Gifford

MH469

Hmmm. Hard-on. Much different than 'hard on.' I do enjoy clever language. Entendre! Even the crude stuff. It's fun and culturally relevant. 

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(Cover Not Found)

Bun Banger 

Author: Toni King 

MH470

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Sucker For Seafood

Author: Art Richter

MH471

I laugh whenever I hear sailors being referred to as 'seafood.' I never got to experience 'fleet week,' though I believe I have one reader who has... I'd love to hear those stories. I can't imagine cruising in such an obvious way and it being well-received. But how fun. I was watching an old musical with Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly and one other as sailors, enjoying 'fleet week.' Of course, they were chasing skirt, but there was a tangible air of homo erotica about the whole film. I'm surprised some enterprising Off-Broadway producer hasn't adapted the whole thing as a gay romp! (Putting it on my 'to do' list.)

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(Cover Not Found)

Butt Boy!

Author: Damon Martin 

MH472

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(Cover Not Found)

Pickin' The Chicken 

Author: James Duncan 

MH473

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(Cover Not Found)

Rim Shot 

Author: Thumper Johnson 

MH474

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Cocksure Coach

Author: Philip Pines

MH475

I really did my best to track down these covers, but I have limited means (and time.) Next week? There will be even more missing covers. It amazes me because I think of the internet as home to everything ever created. So I leave with this one... sigh. Love that look on his face. "Put me in, Coach!"

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And that's it for this week. Next week, we'll complete our look at Manhard books, which will include a change up in the imprint's cover design.

Until then...

Thanks for reading!

I'm A Sucker For Your Love 

Teena Marie and Rick James