Acquired Tastes XLIII Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 88 HIS69, Part 17 of 20

Acquired Tastes XLIII

Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 88

HIS69, Part 17 of 20 44!

And the countdown continues... three 27(!) more posts for this imprint.

Okay, so... apparently the part of my brain that does math (no, really - I aced even advanced finance classes, so I know it exists) was on vacation the day we started to explore this imprint. What is 281 plus 250? Because THAT's how many covers we have to find for this imprint. Now... I have a feeling that at some point we might be covering a lot of reissues, but that's the truth - 531 titles were published by this imprint. 

I don't know why, but for some reason, I thought - okay, we do 12 per post and have it done in 20 posts. And I don't know why it didn't occur to me sooner exactly how off course I'd gone.  

The HIS69 imprint was active from 1971 thru 1988, delivering an astounding 240 531 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.

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

Chicken Trick

Author: Dick Hunter

HIS69193

What's for dinner? Oh, no... not chicken, again!

Well, why mess with success? Clearly there's a market for questionable product. That said, neither of the dudes pictured appear to qualify as 'chicken.' They both look to be very much of age. 

--- ---

Big Stinger

Author: Michael Scott

HIS69194

Makes me think of Shirley MacLaine and the girls in Sweet Charity, belting out Hey, Big Spender.

Oh, in my time, I've been stung by more than a few big ones.

--- ---

California Creamin'

Author: David Langley

HIS69195

I know I always include a song at the bottom of these posts, one that reflects one of the titles shown, but this week! You really must, must, must take the time and view the video below. That anything of this nature ever appeared on national television makes me think that our television did not get all the channels. I was as flummoxed as I was in awe. 

Okay, I've oversold it. Just go watch it, already. 

--- ---

Divine Head

Author: Butch Temple

HIS69196

I wonder if anyone ever slipped Bette Midler a copy of this one backstage at the baths? 

Do you think she would have laughed? Or chucked it at the bearer's head?

--- ---

Suckin' Truckin' Studs

Author: Lonnie Colson

HIS69197

That is some major man meat on display there! Woof. I'd happily let him slap me around for twenty minutes. Great title, great illustration!

--- ---

College Jocks

Author: Michael Scott

HIS69198

I never had the opportunity to live in a dorm. I was always in an apartment or house. I can imagine what a hotbed of social awakening and sexual energy those places must be, like a powder keg waiting to blow. In one way, I'm grateful. I spared a lot of people and myself all the drama I would've brought to the building. But still, I imagine it would have been a great time stumbling upon, not just your own, but someone else's sexuality in such a setting. 

--- ---

Meat Man

Author: Ward Michaels

HIS69199

Wow, whatta sausage fest!

Love this illustration. "Hey, Mister Meat Man... I got a bone to pick with you!"

Something tells me he puts more than just his thumb on the scale... 

--- ---

Teachin' The Chicken

Author Marley Dennis

HIS69200

Another pair of denim cut-offs! Or at least that's what I imagine he's wearing. It's hard to tell, the jpeg is so blurry.

Aww, listen to me.

Wasting all that imagination on just his clothing!

--- ---

Full Throat

Author: Michael Scott

HIS69201

Is that a euphemism for giving it all the gusto you can muster?

Because I've got that. And plenty of room, too. They tell me I'm very accommodating.

Hey! The dude in the background? What's he staring at? A shadow peen?

Does that mean there will be six more months of  'Sausage Fest?'

--- ---

Hungup Hunk

Author; Ronald Penn

HIS69202

Does that man look shy to you?

Then what's his hang up? 

Oh. 

Now I get it.

I wonder how much his tailor has to adjust for that? This man definitely 'lays' to the right.

--- ---

Gusher Comin'

Author: Chad Stuart

HIS69203

A clever, theme-relevant double entendre! 

Well. Turns out I know my way around a derrick, too

Does that make me an oilman? 

(I do always have baby oil on hand.) (On hand, on chest, on abs, on...)

--- ---

Boarded and Bound

Author: Bob Hancock

HIS69204

These guys put the 'cruise' in cruise line!

Is this about butt pirates? 

In other words, a case when your kidnapper quickly becomes the on-board entertainment!

--- ---

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. (Now, watch the video!)

California Dreamin' - Raquel Welch

from the 1970 television special, Raquel

(Must see. Wait for it... you will not be disappointed!)