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

Acquired Tastes XLIII:

Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 208

Spade Classics, Part 5 of 5

Today, we take a final look at Spade Classics.

This was 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.  

That changed with the thirteenth book in the series. Then, a new style, similar to the first, was introduced with a white banner which ran the width of the top of the book, containing the Spade Classics logo, name and price. The artwork, by the same artist, was now framed in a circular frame with the sides cut flat. The artwork also softened a bit, looking more like a pen and ink drawing or an engraving, rather than the rough linocut look used previously.

A third style is introduced with today's titles. It's very similar to the first, but now the logo on the left side has gone vertical. Also, a new script font takes the place of the previous bold block font for the book's title. In addition, the illustration appears softer, more like a pen and ink drawing rather than a linocut. 

This third style adorns only three titles, before the publishers revert to the first cover design, which they later introduce with a red background - adding a fourth cover design. This is the design they use for the rest of the imprint's lifespan.

All the authors are presumed to be writing under pseudonyms. 

These books tend to sell for between $25.00 to $55.00.

Today, I only found seven of fourteen covers. This is likely due to the probability that there were less of the last titles printed, as this represents the last publications for this imprint. 

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14-Year Old Stud

Author: James Martin

 Spade Classics 

1974 

SPADE-141

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 The Randy Reamer

 Author: Charles Channing 

Spade Classics

 1974 

SPADE-142 

According to Hommi Publishing's Big Ass List, this one is about an "actor who uses his body to get to the top".

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 The Virgin Cadet 

Author: San Falzar

 Spade Classics 

1974

 SPADE-143 

According to Hommi Publishing's Big Ass List, this one is about a "boy who finds sex at a military school".

Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.

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  First Time Is the Hardest

 Author: George Ferren 

Spade Classics

 1974 

SPADE-144

Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.

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 Military Dickin'

Author: Phillip Pines

 Spade Classics 

1974

 SPADE-145 

Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.

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  Page Boy Orgy

Author: Randy Williams

 Spade Classics 

1974

 SPADE-146 

--- ---

  Cocky Jock

 Author: Jack Evans 

Spade Classics

 1974 

SPADE-147

According to Hommi Publishing's Big Ass List, this one is about a "teenager working in a garage for the summer".

Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.

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 Cocksure Instructors

Author: Mike Wayne

 Spade Classics 

1974

 SPADE-148 

According to Hommi Publishing's Big Ass List, this one is about a "prep school teacher".

Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.

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  Blow Me Down

Author: Jean Jordan

 Spade Classics 

- no date -

 SPADE-151 

--- ---

  Primeval Sex Cult

Author: Robert Strong

 Spade Classics 

- no date -

 SPADE-152 

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  Holiday for Sex

Author: Majorie Dan

 Spade Classics 

- no date -

 SPADE-153

--- ---

  In Search of Love

Author: Alan Atkins

 Spade Classics

- no date -

 SPADE-154 

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And that concludes our look at Spade Classics.

Next week: another vintage gay pulp fiction imprint.

Until then...

Thanks for reading!

First Time - Lifehouse