Acquired Tastes XLIII: Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 94 - HIS69, Part 23 of 44

Acquired Tastes XLIII

Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 94

HIS69, Part 23 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.

This week? The first week I came up short; I only found covers for 11 out of 12 titles; so far, the only one that got away.

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Trucker's Trick

Author: P.H. Bennett

HIS6967

Great illustration, plenty of detail.

As pictured, this is how I imagine truckers finding themselves a little action. Those barstools at the counter of a diner or truck stop? No different than those found in a gay bar. It's a fun fantasy.

The reality?

People stick to themselves and eye one another with a degree of suspicion. And nobody looks as hunky as those pictured on the cover of this book. But then, that is the purpose of these books... to light the imagination of readers. That said, some fantasies exist as simply that. 

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First-Time Chicken

Author: Samuel West

HIS69268

(a reissue of HIS69175)

(cover not found)

This is the first cover I have not been able to find. I had a nice run; 267 titles and not a single miss. 

As it turns out, this particular number is a reissue of an earlier book (HIS69175.) The reissue would have kept the original art work, though they might have played with it a bit. 

As illustrations go, it's hard to argue with those denim cut-offs. Nothing says 'wanting some' like a a pair of those homemade shorts! The higher the cut, the hotter the action!

 

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Rough-Ridin' Studs

Author: Paul Gronowski

HIS69269

If you look closely, you'll see there is actually a cowboy hat included in this illustration, which is as it should be, given the title. I really think the illustrator could have done more to drive home the whole cowboy theme, but it's a great illustration anyway. 

Something tells me that this is not the older gentleman's first time 'round the rodeo. And I can't say for certain whether that younger man has any experience in the corral, but it appears he's about to get a taste of what it's like to ride a bucking bronco!

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Trapped Chicken

Author: Sebastian Lamb

HIS69270

The eek and ick factor are at play in this illustration. Obviously that older gentleman has his act down to fine science - otherwise it's difficult to explain how a young man would end up as pictured. Still, that youngster appears a bit surprised, as if waking up somewhere unexpectedly. Such themes reinforce the whole gay man as sexual predator trope embraced by religious zealots and the far right. Oh, I'm not saying they don't exist, but they are as frequent as, and no different than straight men who prey on young girls. 

Keep in mind, only 1 - 5% of the population are pedophiles and that rate is no different in the gay world than it is the straight world. The big difference? There are lot more straight people in the world than gay people. 

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Stud-Camp Tricks

Author: Clay Caldwell

HIS69271

Again, there appears to be the element of surprise at play here, and a bit of premeditation on the parts of both aggressors, but at least they are all in the same age bracket.

Power dynamics play a big role when it comes to sexual fantasies. Hence the popularity of the whole dom/sub titling in the ads one finds on sites and apps such as Grindr, Scruff, and A4A.

This is one book I would love to get my hands on. As I've mentioned previously, camping fantasies are right up my alley (so to speak.) 

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Backdoor Boy

Author: Samuel West

HIS6972

Ah, a back alley transaction. That rent boy has his goods well-displayed and his advertising campaign sharply-honed. I'm not buying, but Mr. Big looks to be about to propose a major merger. 

That's one of the great things about the internet; it took a portion of sex workers off the streets. They now operate in a much safer environment and are better able to vet their clients. Knowledge and control lead to safety.

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Locker Room Jocks

Author: Paul Gronowski

HIS69273

Played this scene out many a time - minus the hot cop. I tell you, there's no love like locker room love. A quick glance is all it takes. You'll know right away if you're both on the same page. It may be quick. It may be relatively silent. But, oh, it does get the job done.

Now, I don't recall ever seeing a cop in any of the locker rooms that I've frequented. The occasional gym employee on the outlook for any illicit behavior - but, unless caught in the actual act, one knows how to avoid their judgmental eyes.

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Shafting Schoolboys

Author: Allen H. Todd

HIS69274

What a strange term, 'shafting.' Of all the verbs to describe 'dick meets butthole,' shafting is not something that springs to mind... especially when we're talking about school boys. Coal miners? Sure. That would have been clever - Shafting Miners (it would even appeal to the 'chicken' crowd!)

Plenty 'o butt on display in this illustration. And they're all cute as the dickens. Oh... now that would've been a clever title... Dick-ins Schoolboys. Hmm... yet another idea for a saucy gay romp.

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Saddle Buddies

Author: Mark Henley

HIS69275

This illustration appears more Huck Finn than Riders Of The Purple Sage (another title ripe for a gay take-off.) In the lower right... is that a fishing pole? I can't make any sense of it. I see the horse waiting in the background while the riders take care of their hygienic (and other) needs, so while it does tell a story, I think the cover art is a bit off course.

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Tied Teen Slave

Author: Tom Hardy

HIS6976

My word, back in the mid-seventies, they sure liked to tie up the young ones. Well, at least this one isn't called 'chicken.' But this appears to be of the same ilk as the previously listed Trapped Chicken and Tied Chicken (HIS69159). Well, to each their own. Obviously, this genre is a case of giving the people what they want. 

 

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Biker In Bondage 

(Book I)

Author: Michael Scott

HIS69277

More bondage themed material! This one, right up Robert Mapplethorpe's alley (so to speak.) Ah, the pleasures of a well-placed boot. I once spent a couple of hours as a hot leather dom's slave 'boy' (I was a little long in the tooth, but when role playing, one works with what's available.) Lots of licking leather and very light on the sexual stuff. Oh, we both got our cookies, but that sort of thing tends to be more ritualistic than sexual. The dude was hot as hell and way out of my league, but, because he picked me, I more than happy to do whatever he wanted.

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Chicken Ring

Author: Scott McBride

HIS69278

Sigh. More chicken. We really don't use that term anymore, huh? 

Is that because so many of us are switching over to plant-based foods?

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And that's all for now.

Next week, another dozen titles.

Until then, thanks for reading!

Tied Up - Casey Veggies feat. DeJ Loaf