Acquired Tastes XLIII: Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 112: HIS69, Part 41 of 44

Acquired Tastes XLIII

Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 112

HIS69, Part 41 of 44

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

Well, we are back to hunting and pecking. Only found nine out of twelve this week. Three more posts to go and we will be done with this imprint!

College Brothers 

Author: Derek Olsen

HIS69604

More college fun. I can't relate, but our dear friend whkattk over at Big Whack Attack has the 411.

Seems he was the dorm leader of my teen cream dreams, explaining to all his young charges that their boners were natural, as was jerking it and that no one had anything to be embarrassed about. See? That's what I needed back then. Someone to set me straight (so to speak.) Then I might have been less of a spazz and actually gone to classes.

Well, let's hope there are more like him in the world. As we all know, all young men can use a helping hand and a bit of guidance from time to time.

Along with some nice lube and a cannister of wet wipes!

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Freshman Counselor 

Author: Lee Ryder

HIS69605 

(Cover Not Found)

Another Lee Ryder original. Lee did have a bit of an education after high school - I believe he attended a tech school. He was a skilled florist (among other things,) and had his own shop. He even did the floral arrangements for the nighttime soap, Dynasty! Yes, his floral arrangements right next to Joan Collins' sequined behind! 

The more you know!

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 Easy Come 

Author: Roland Graeme

HIS69606

I do believe that every single imprint I've written about so far has a book with this same title. 

This illustration? Well, that dildo sure looks menacing, but what really has me concerned is... is that a video camera pointed toward the bed? I suppose it's possible. We are nearing the end of the imprint's life span and the last year they published anything was 1988. The model pictured looks like a KONICA KC-300, KC-300B from 1988. They took still photos every five seconds or so. They sold for $720 - a lot of money back then. 

What a fascinating little detail!

Available as an e-book or pdf download for $3.95 at Hommi Publishing.

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The Sugar Daddy 

Author: Hugh Johnson

HIS69607

Notice the tag at the bottom of the cover. Seems after a point, all these books were given some type of category. And, in fact, I have covers of several books published that don't adhere to the HIS69 numbering system, but look just like a HIS69 book with just such a category appearing at the bottom of the cover. I have chalked these up as one of the many great unsolved mysteries of this type of book publishing. 

I have never had a sugar daddy. I was offered such a position on a number of occasions, but it never appealed to me, no matter how deep those pockets appeared. The trade-off? Not worth it. That's why I could never be a trophy wife, either. The lazy person in me understands the appeal of not having a care in the world, but I have found, I do not function well without a care in the world. I like caring. And having things to do. It is simply in my nature. So? Good for those bitches. Nice work if you can get it... but, guess what? Some of us don't want it!

Available as an e-book or pdf download for $3.95 at Hommi Publishing.

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Sweaty Jocks 

Author: Ward Michaels

HIS69608

Yes. My kind of fun. Sigh.

Oh, those were the days my friend...

Cruising locker rooms and checking out my fellow gym goers. A bit creepy, perhaps, but I was always respectful and discreet. It's all in the body language and the eyes, so it's pretty easy to eliminate those that are not into it.

I was never aggressive about it. Some? Oh, my word. They would pounce. Or, worse, pursue. Not me. Not my style. I can take a hint, and do!

This is a great illustration. Blondie's a bit young for my taste, but coach? Well, I'd love to blow his whistle anytime!
 

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Campus Queen 

Author: Hugh Johnson

HIS69609

Check out the weird typeface of that title. They sure got cheap-looking with their use of fonts and letter sizes. Very odd.

Another college romp. Though, this is a bit of a new topic for the imprint. I don't believe we've had a queen grace a cover or even had this topic touched upon as part of the HIS69 catalog.

Back in the old days, cross-dressing and homosexuality were assumed to be exclusively related to one another. The gay lit of the day has shown that to be the case. However, times change... 

But apparently, some things don't. Clearly, this one is busy seducing the young dean of students. No doubt trying to get a grade changed or get into a class that already full. Will she be successful? Well... that would depend on what that young dean is pulling out of his drawer.  

Or should that be... his drawers? 

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Kip 

Author: Kurt McCord

HIS69610

This is an odd cover, for sure. 

I'm thinking our young couple is on holiday, or maybe only blondie is, and that other dude is his guide.

In any case, looks like they've stumbled upon a bit of ancient history - a ritualistic society. Are they being cursed or blessed?  Looks like every episode of Scooby Doo that I've ever seen.

This is An Awakening Book. So, could be a spiritual awakening... but more likely the kind of awakening that takes place in the front of a young man's jeans.

--- --- 

Cocksure Country Boy

Author: Paul J. Simon

HIS69611

(Cover Not Found)

I sure wish I would have found this one. I love me a country boy.

By the way... hop on over to eBay and search for 'vintage gay pulp fiction' and you will see that the market for these books is on fire! When I started buying books a year ago, I could pick up these books for $24-35 - which I thought a lot, at the time. Now? They are being sold outright for $149 a title, and those that are bid upon typically go for over $100 and sometimes as high as $209!

Greenleaf Classic titles? I used to get them for $50-$75 a title. Now? Sold outright for $249!

It's too rich for my little pocketbook. So, I have stopped bidding. There are only a few imprints I am interested in now, and if the price is too high? I may have to learn to live without.

--- ---

Adrian 

Author: A. N. LeChance

HIS69612

This one has a date stamped right on it - February 24, 1987. So, now we have a sense of where we are in history. The threat of censorship or the government charging the publisher or author with obscenity? A thing of the past. However, given the date... there's a new threat on the horizon - one that's been there since the dawn of the 1980's. 

AIDS. HIV. 

I wonder if these books practiced safe sex or preached it? Now, that would make an interesting college thesis: The Impact of The AIDS Crisis On Gay Pulp Fiction. Surely it's addressed. Near the end of the golden age of gay porn, even the gay porn film industry underwent changes - some of which were mandated and necessary in order to continue producing product. 

Hmm. Would make for an interesting read.

--- ---

Jack’s John Thomas 

Lee Ryder

HIS69613

(Cover Not Found)

Another from our dear Lee. He died of AIDS. Very sad. He was a very tender soul.

I'm not sure what the title refers to. Any clue? It's a euphuism I am unfamiliar with. If you know what it refers to, leave it in the comments section.

 

--- ---

Faculty Relations 

Author: Max Martin

HIS69614

Now, here's something I can relate to. That title? Sounds like the perfect drive-in summer movie!

And this illustration! Sigh. A gay man's wet dream. I don't know if I want to be the player or the coach in this scenario. Tell you what... let's trade costumes at halftime, so we can experience both halves of this equation! 

That's the real fun in role playing!

--- ---

The Gymnists

Author: Andrew Martin

HIS69615

Another Jock Book. 

Gymnasts (what is up with that spelling?) have the most amazing bodies. True marvels. Such discipline. Such dedication. Most of what they attempt terrifies me. I can't imagine being that confident or fearless. The few times I've catapulted my body through the air have all ended in physical destruction. 

Well, good for them. I am more than content to sit on the sidelines and cheer. And leer. Sigh.

Well, they say perfection is consuming. So, I wonder what it takes to consume a little perfection?

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And that's all for now.  Three more posts for this imprint. Will we find the covers? Tune in to find out!

Until next time...

Thanks for reading!

Sugar Daddy - Qveen Herby