Acquired Tastes XLIII Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 89 HIS69, Part 18 of 44

Acquired Tastes XLIII

Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 89

HIS69, Part 18 of 44

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

Hardhat Fever

Author: Murray Montague

HIS69205

Huh. Working on this jobsite could certainly get me all hot and bothered. Check out that jock on the dude manning the jackhammer. Something tells me he and that machine have a lot in common. Great illustration. Get a sample of the text, below.

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First Down

Author: Tom Hardy

HIS69206

Ah, a race to 'the bottom?' A case of first one face down, wins? This illustration looks to have more to do with wrestling than football. Still, I'm sure both studs are bound to score!

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Fiery Fists

Author: Dustin Rose

HIS69207

Dustin Rose is also responsible for a book called Fist Of Fire. That said... neither one sounds very pleasant. Cue up Johnny Cash and have the Preparation H close at hand... because something tells me the next step is a 'ring' of fire.

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Western Mouthful

Author: Buck Sage

HIS69208

This illustration is quite a departure from this imprint's usual fare, with that large central figure surrounded by posed smaller ones. The title strikes me as odd, as well, though the pseudonym pairing makes for a perfect compliment. 

And who doesn't cherish the thought of a mouth full of cowboy?

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Young And Horny

Author: Lyle Jennings

HIS69209

We've seen this pairing (the illustration) before. I think of them as Starsky and Hutch, although this illustration is a dead ringer for a NOVA film short called  A Perfect Fit with Greg Dale and Daryl Paige. But I think the book (1977) predates the film (1982), but it's hard to say because the film may have actually been created as early as 1976, when NOVA was founded. The 1982 date has to do with the year it came out on VHS as part of the anthology, His Little Brother.

I'm not sure what it says about me that I know this stuff.

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English Leather

Author: Michael Scott

HIS69210

Ah, the smell of English Leather. English Leather was a popular, heavily-marketed mens cologne in the mid-to late seventies, a competitor for the Old Spice crowd. It was packaged in a rectangular glass bottle with a distinct, oversized wooden bottle cap. It's still available today at fine stores like Walmart, manufactured by a completely different company than the original. In the seventies? It's television commercials were as inescapable as it's smell. 

This book would have nothing to do with the cologne (which is said to be reminiscent of the smell of Russian saddle leather.) And that's a definite hog between the denim-clad thighs of the hunk pictured. Cue up Born To Be Wild by Steppenwolf.

Yes, I would happily take a wild ride with that one!

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Blue-Blood Stud

Author: John Dick

HIS69211

Blue bloods (hyphenated in the title of this book for some reason) signify those of noble birth. No doubt this book is a royal treat. That said, I have no idea what the blond pictured is actually wearing. It looks like an apron that got turned around. To each their own. One thing's for certain... something big is cooking between these two!

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Wild Bar

Author: Dick Stroth

HIS69212

It's been ages since I have stepped foot in a gay bar. Do I miss it? I think so. I realize that they are there for the young to hook-up, but, on this side of things, I am thinking I might find quite a bit of entertainment sitting on a barstool all evening; not only watching the younger crowd cruise, but also for the simple enjoyment of the kind of comradery association creates. Brothers in arms, as it were: community.

Note: A copy of Wild Bar was up for sale on eBay recently. List price: $44.99. Sample a bit of its text, below.

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Skin-Flick Studs

Author: Michael Studs

HIS69213

"Get the camera's rollin'. Get the action going!" Cue up Andrea True Connection's classic, More, More, More. I guess we can see how these studs 'like it.' Although, from the looks of it, given the spread of the brunette's thighs, blondie there is a bit off target.

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Hang'em Low

Author: Scott McBride

HIS69214

My word, that dark-haired stud sure is packin'. And the power dynamic here is apparent, as well. I love it when roles are clearly defined. I remember times when I was much to shy to say what I wanted and the whole evening ended with a great deal of frustration generated and energy expended. 

Now? With internet hook-ups and Grindr? All that stuff is on the table before you've sent the first 'hello.' Technology: it's a good thing.

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Black Room Terror

Author: Chad Stuart

HIS69215

Note the inclusion of a banner of above the title: "Hard Trade Special." I assume these are books aimed at the sort of cliental who traffic in rough trade and dark room, anonymous scenes.

I have stepped foot into a dark room, or backroom, I guess they are called. I couldn't see a thing, so I stepped right out. I suppose, today, I might be a bit braver, but I get tested for STDs frequently enough as it is (every three months, or more, if someone reports an 'issue.') Given that, I can't imagine what my insurance company would make of it if such testing became an 'every Wednesday' sort of thing.

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Hard Daddy

Author: Jay Cunningham

HIS69216

Another 'Hard Trade Special.' I guess incest falls into that category. Or, at least, I assume that is what this one is about.

Today? The term 'daddy' is assigned sometimes due to the relative age of a person, or due to a role they wish to play. And 'dad bods' are a highly sought after commodity. I'm not sure if that was true back in the day. 

So, I am going with a literal interpretation until someone tells me differently.  

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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.

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Put 'Em High - StoneBridge feat. Therese