Acquired Tastes XLIII: Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 77 - HIS69, Part 6 of 20

Acquired Tastes XLIII

Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 77

HIS69, Part 6 of 20

The HIS69 imprint remained active from 1971 thru 1988, delivering an astounding 240 titles. Surrey House, Inc. / Surree Ltd, Inc. of San Diego and Santee, California are responsible for this imprint which was distributed by the same company as Trojan Books, Manhard Books, Gay Books and Gay Way Books; the Zorro Distribution Company, also operating out of San Diego.

It should be noted that many of these titles, with original artwork included, were simultaneously republished under the Gay Books imprint and then, later, minus the artwork, were also republished under the ManPower imprint.

The artwork for the HIS69 books would go through only two minor shifts with all the covers featuring ink drawings by various uncredited illustrators - artwork quite similar to what we saw with the Manhard imprint.

We've got 14 more weeks to go!

Here are the next twelve titles. This week, I was able to track down all twelve!

--- ---

Ride A Long Horn

Author: Abel Cruze

HIS6961

Love the illustration. Nice pouches on that pair. I think we can all agree that there is a bit of a disconnect between the illustrations and the book they are meant to represent. I mean, wouldn't you expect to see a cowboy or two on the cover of this one? Not sure what the marketing team at Surree Ltd. was thinking...

--- ---

A Nice Dick

Author: Rich Cummings

HIS6962

I like all the depth on this illustration... also, nice to see some adults, for a change. Twinks do nothing for me... and actually, muscle men don't do much, but at least these are of age. As far as the title goes? I think this is yet another example of Rich Cummings phoning one in.

--- ---

Up Your Alley

Author: Harry Frank

HIS6963

Is that like a well-placed boot? Interesting. Another rather generic double entendre serving for a title, but I have always appreciated this one. Speaking of alleys... that is still on my sexual bucket list. I want to meet someone at a gay bar on a hot summer evening and go all alley cat behind the building. At this point? It's a long shot... but if it comes along? Oh, yeah... I am gonna take it (in more ways than one.)

--- ---

Mancorps

Author: William Astor Bater

HIS6964

Ah, public service. I have done my share... and reenlisted over and over again, even after telling myself to knock it off. This summer, at the prairie, I said 'no' more than I ever have in my life, but even so, I still did my share of public service. Well, one needs something to fill up the hours! Birds and trees can only occupy one's thoughts for so long.

Love the pseudonym. But what is with that center dude's pecs? They look like implants. 

--- ---

Ballbuster

Author: Damon Martin

HIS6965

Nice illustration with a luscious looking package! Not sure about the headband, though. Nor do I endorse this particular activity. Those that are into it? More power to you. My boys are too fragile to withstand that kind of assault. Lick? Yes. Punch? No!

--- ---

Butting In

Author: Benjamin David

HIS6967

A pair of truly beautiful buttocks. The influence of Tom of Finland remains great in terms of these illustrations. Which is rather amazing, considering that gym culture then (early to mid-seventies) was nothing like it is today. But then, the idealization of the male form seems to have always been quite the marketing ploy when it comes to gay men.

--- ---

Trickin' & Truckin'

Author Ed Garvin

HIS6966

Back Cover

He thought he had it beat... and that was such a waste. Besides, it kept coming up again and throbbing at him. He just had to pick up one more hitchhiker to take care of it, going down... on the road... from truck stop to roadside tea room... and the whole joint-gobbling highway greased up with used KY and slowly drying man-love cream.

That book blurb is good for a giggle. The description of the highway? Priceless. 

Now, this is not the HIS69 version of the book, but the Gay Books reprint. Yet, that is the original artwork for this title. And, yes, it seems to be another obvious disconnect. I would have expected truck drivers, maybe a truck stop? What would a football and a trophy have to do with any of this?

--- ---

Meat My Buddy

Author: Curt MacLean

HIS6968

Isn't wrestling fun, in both reality and fantasy? I have met a few men into it, and held my own, because my older brother was a wrestler who went to State several times. He was also very abusive, so he ended up teaching me a thing or two which came in handy later in life. At the time, I hated it, but... funny how things change.

--- ---

Astrogay

Author: Clu Lee Lennuck

HIS6969

This is a milestone for the imprint: #69! So, they seem to be celebrating by indulging in a change of form. Astrology was all the rage throughout the seventies and it was everywhere - the drugstore, your local Pamida, the local library - candles, greeting cards, figurines, books, clothing, curtains! Granted, gay astrology probably offered up something not found elsewhere - gay-specific advice for the lovelorn. Along with advice such as, "Don't visit your favorite gloryhole on this day, or the gift you will receive will require penicillin and a bondsman."  

--- ---

Hot Buns

Author: Peter Pepper

HIS6970

Yes, Spanking! One way guaranteed to heat up even the coldest of buns and raise my inner temp, as well. I like it in theory more than actuality. In theory? They take it and it's a lot of effort that pays big dividends. The reality? A twink who whines and asks you to ease up all the time. I know you have to find a balance and it has to be fun for everyone... I just don't like all the interruption and constant feedback. 

No worries. It looks like the goober on the receiving end of things on this cover is good to go.

--- ---

Sweet Meat

Author: Sam Malloy

HIS6971

Sweet is not something I would want my 'meat' to be. I have had the displeasure of encountering such said 'meat.' Not my thing at all, but to each their own. Fresh funk? Yes. Odorous miasma? Pass.

As for this illustration? What is going on? Is this a sleepover activity of some kind? A party game? Well, come to think of it, I am all for a little game of 'pin the tail,' blindfold and all!

--- ---

Door-To-Door Chicken

Author: Jeff Murphy

HIS6972

Does KFC really offer such a service? On a surf board, no less? How do they prevent the chicken from getting wet? 

And the big question...

Would you eat 'wet' chicken?

--- ---

And that's all for today. I hope you don't mind me prattling on as you enjoy these illustrations. Gay history, you know! Yes, this is educational!

Next week, another dozen HIS69 titles.

Until then...

Thanks for reading.

Right Up Your Alley - Masok