Acquired Tastes XLIII
Gay Pulp Fiction
Part 182
Kozy Books
Kozy Books is an imprint which published paperbacks from 1957-1963. They had a few gay titles sprinkled among their 100 or so titles. Here's Wikipedia with more...
Founded by publisher John B. Musacchia and lawyer Irwin Stillman, they were initially based at 88, Franklin St, New York and later at 39, Orchard St, Manhasset, New York. Their tagline was 'Cozy Up With Kozy Books'. The books sold for 50 cents each.
In January of 196, Police seized 276,178 books from Kozy, representing 39 titles, as part of a number of warrants against distributors and wholesalers regarding obscenity accusations. Eight were presented to the jury to review. Kozy destroyed 70,000 of the books, and the rest were returned to the defendants."
The hetero-centric titles included the likes of: Campus Tramp, Kiss Or Kill, The Girl Who Invented Sex, Nymph In Need, The Trouble With Redheads, and Blondes Don't Give A Damn. Depending on their condition, these books typically sell for $4-35 and all feature wonderfully garish illustrations on their covers.
Below, you'll find their four gay titles; three for the guys and one for the ladies.And that's all I have on Kozy Books. If you have anything to add, please leave it in the comments section. Always grateful for new knowledge.
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Half World
Author: Joe D. Bowie
Kozy Books
K-167
1962
I found a copy at AbeBooks for 33.50 (free shipping)! There were three other copies for $50 /$70 / $75.
A purported to be a true autobiography, the author's name is supposedly the pseudonym of a well-known film and television actor.
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Bed And Board
Author: Jonathan Ward
Kozy Books
K-172
1962
Found two copies on AbeBooks: $125 /185.
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Male Bride
Author: Anonymous
Kozy Books
K-184
1963
Found a copy on AbeBooks for $53.
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Back Cover
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When Men
Author: Anonymous
Kozy Books
K-191
1963
Found a copy on AbeBooks for $55.50 (free shipping!).
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And that's all for now.
Until next time...
Thanks for reading!
Bed And Board - Barbara Mason
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3 comments:
"...a book of self-revelation..." sounds just like a few of the LGBTQ and BIPOC tomes being banned lately.
Diese Taschenbücher bieten einen ebenso unterhaltsamen wie schockierenden Blick auf das schwule Amerika von 1950 bis 1980.
Ein offenes Fenster zur amerikanischen schwulen Kultur und zum Leben jener Zeit. Hirschfeld und Kinsey wären stolz
(vvs)
These covers!
I love how they have that pulp aesthetic...
XOXO
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