Acquired Tastes XLIII: Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 167 - Grand Prix Classics

Acquired Tastes XLIII

Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 167

Grand Prix Classics

Today, we take a look at yet another vintage gay pulp fiction imprint.

Very little information is available (as per usual) about Grand Prix Classics - and, of course, given the era during which they were published, they wanted it that way.

I actually own one of these... the first one pictured, Seafood For Joe. There is no publication page, so no information about the publisher. The author's name doesn't even appear on the cover - though it is on what passes for the title page. Plus, there's no numbering system, so hard to tell what order the books were printed in.

These aren't your typical vintage gay pulp fiction books; they're more akin to pamphlets. Measuring 7" by 4.5", they lack a spine. Instead, they are stapled in the center and folded - like a pamphlet or those small cookbooks they used to giveaway in the 1950's and 60's.

Also note, these are not exactly War And Peace. And by that, I mean they are more like novelettes than novels. There are no page numbers, the type is double-spaced, and the one I have, Seafood For Joe, clocks out after 68 pages. 

At the back of the book, there are an additional two pages of advertising. The first advertises four illustrated adult stories: Ram, I A Homo, Able Bodied and Whopper. No authors mentioned.

"The best illustrated story book combinations available. Each book is a big 124 of fun filled pictures and stories." You can purchase them via mail order by clipping out and filling in the little coupon on at the bottom of the advertisement. They sell for $3 each or you can have all four for $10. "Add 25 cents postage and handling charge for each book." The address to send your order to is listed as:

N.A.A.

Box 380

Canal Street Station

New York, N.Y. 10013

At the bottom it says "I Certify BY MY SIGNATURE THAT I"M OVER 21." Though there is no place indicated to actually sign one's name.

The second page of advertisements is for two magazines offered by the same company/address. For $5 each, you can own a copy of Pucker or Gander.

From what I can gather, there were only a dozen books published by this imprint. And the cover style varies greatly - given the time (all published in 1969), they are very colorful and artistically adventurous. There are four distinct cover styles, all done by the same illustrator - with three titles each.

Based on what I've found, I think this imprint may be related to Lavender Publications and Monkey Publications - we'll take a look at both in the coming weeks. My hunch is based on a similarity in the book cover art, a shared author, and the pamphlet design style.

As always, if you happen to know anything about any of these imprints, please leave the info in the comments section. I'd love to learn more.

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 Seafood For Joe

Author: Dave Allen 

Grand Prix Classics 

Dave Allen wrote four books for this imprint.

There's a copy of this one up for sale on eBay for $189. I certainly did not pay that for my copy, but good to know. I think I purchased mine before the vintage gay pulp fiction market went price crazy.

The back of this book, complete with blurb and the distinctive Grand Prix Classics logo.

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Hot Tip

Author: Dave Allen 

Grand Prix Classics 

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 Schoolboys In Love

Author: Dave Allen 

Grand Prix Classics 

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Whipping Man

Author: Dan Breaker

Grand Prix Classics 

Dan Breaker wrote seven books for this imprint.

 

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 Virgin Boy

Author: Dan Breaker

Grand Prix Classics 

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Male Whore

Author: Dan Breaker

Grand Prix Classics 

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Sadist Overseer

Author: Dan Breaker

Grand Prix Classics 

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Whip

Author: Jim Curry

 Grand Prix Classics 

Jim Curry wrote one book for this imprint. He's also written titles for Midwood, and Lavender Publications.

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 Hollywood Homo

Author: Dave Allen 

Grand Prix Classics 

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Hot & Loose

Author: Dan Breaker

Grand Prix Classics

There's a copy for sale of this one for $49.99 at Kayo Books in San Francisco.

"Pete and Sidney are the sexiest All-American queens going and get this... they're twins!"

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 Midnight Marine

Author: Dan Breaker

Grand Prix Classics 

A copy of this one on eBay for $189.00.

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Sadist Fury

Author: Dan Breaker

Grand Prix Classics 

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And that's all for now.

Next week, we'll take a look at Monkey Publications and Lavender Publications.

Until then...

Thanks for reading!

Worship The Whip - Be Your Own Pet