Acquired Tastes XLIII: Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 208 - Spade Classics, Part 1 of 5

Acquired Tastes XLIII: 

Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 208

Spade Classics

Part 1 of 5

Today, we take a first look at Spade Classics.

Yet another imprint brought to you by the good people at Star Distributors, LTD., the Spade Classics imprint lasted a three years, from 1972-1974, publishing 52 titles in all. Star Distributors, LTD. operated out of a P.O. Box at the Canal Street Station in New York City and are responsible for numerous, short-lived vintage gay pulp imprints. As with most such publishers, information is in short supply.

The books covers went through four distinct styles changes. Initially, they featured a solid black background with the title in a unique bold white font, below which you'd find a black and white erotic drawing done in a linocut style. Their unique logo, a black card spade set in a white Mars/male symbol with the name of the imprint could be found in the upper left corner of the cover, the price - in the upper right, and the author's name below the linocut style drawing. Below, you'll also find a couple of examples of what the books' back covers looked like. 

Next week, we'll take a look at the second book cover style, a slight variation on the first. 

All the authors are presumed to be writing under pseudonyms. 

Here are the first ten Spade Classic titles. I was able to locate eight of ten covers.

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The Gang Rape 

Author: Will Cassidy

 Spade Classics 

1972

 SPADE-101 

According to Hommi Publishing's Big Ass List, the "title page lists the author as Chuck Loyd".

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Ten Inch Lover

 Author:  Jack Lyons 

Spade Classics

 1972 

SPADE-102

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The Master Cowboy

 Author: Shad Taylor 

Spade Classics

 1972 

SPADE-103

Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.

Back Cover

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Locker Room Buddies

 Author: Chuck Loyd 

Spade Classics

 1972 

SPADE-104 

According to Hommi Publishing's Big Ass List, the "title page gives the author as Will Cassidy".

Title Page

Publisher's Page

Back Cover

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Boy Whore

 Author: Tod Willard 

Spade Classics

 1972 

SPADE-105

  According to Hommi Publishing's Big Ass List, the author is listed as 'Tod' on the title page but "on the cover as 'Ted'".

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Hardon Beach

 Author: Mark Roman 

Spade Classics

 1972 

SPADE-106

Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.

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Asshole Buddies

 Author: Shad Ryan 

Spade Classics

 1972 

SPADE-107

Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.

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Stud Farm

 Author: Ken March 

Spade Classics

 1972 

SPADE-108

Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.

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Men Into Boys

 Author: Jeremy Foxe 

Spade Classics

 1973 

SPADE-109

(Cover Not Found)

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Meat Rack Studs

 Author: Bradford Lance 

Spade Classics

 1973 

SPADE-110

(Cover Not Found)

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And that's all for now.

Next week: another ten tantalizing Spade Classics titles.

Until then...

Thanks for reading!

Boy Whore - The Bones