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Monday, February 23, 2026

Acquired Tastes XLIII: Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 221 - Rough Trade Part, 14 of 19

Acquired Tastes XLIII: 
Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 221
Rough Trade
Part 14 of 19

Today, we take another look at the Rough Trade imprint.

Brought to you by the good people at Star Distributors, LTD., the Rough Trade imprint published 224 titles, from 1974-1990. Star Distributors, LTD. operated out of a P.O. Box at the Canal Street Station in New York City.

The imprint's numbering system begins with RT-401, and continues thusly. The book number only appears on the spine of the book.

All the books feature the imprint's distinctive Rough Trade logo in the upper left of the book's cover.  The books cover design consists of an all-caps (typically) title in a banner of orange or baby blue near the top. A frame is created by two white stripes descending from the top banner to a thin banner (orange or baby blue) containing the word 'Illustrated' - for the books are, with drawings throughout. At the center of the cover there is an explicit illustration - some ink/pencil, some woodcut/etching - all by various popular gay artists of the time, including Craig Esposito, Adam, Michael, etc.

Did I mention that there are illustrations throughout each book? Well, yes, there are, by the same artist as the cover art. Something for every chapter - so a daunting task for the illustrator, for sure.

Oddly, the early books in the series do not have a publisher's page. Price point for the books began at 2.25 and increased (by various increments) to $3.95. Typically, you can buy these books today for between $25-45.

The back covers sometimes feature a synopsis of the book to entice readers or advertisement for one of Star Distributors' other imprints. Ads also appear at the front or back of the book - offering books, videos, and sex toys.

Here are the next dozen titles. Came up short three times this week. 

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Slave Farm
 Author: Anonymous 
Rough Trade
 1984 
RT-557

--- ---

 Stock Car Stud
 Author: Anonymous 
Rough Trade
 1984 
RT-558

--- ---

 Marine Master
 Author: Anonymous 
Rough Trade
 1984 
RT-559

Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.

--- ---

 Teen Bootlicker
 Author: Anonymous 
Rough Trade
 1984 
RT-560

--- ---

 Beach Brutes
 Author: Anonymous 
Rough Trade
 1985 
RT-561

(Cover not found.)

--- ---

 Leather Lunch
 Author: Anonymous 
Rough Trade
 1985 
RT-562

--- ---

 Hard Driver
 Author: Anonymous 
Rough Trade
 1985 
RT-563

Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.

--- ---

 Hogtied Chicken
 Author: Anonymous 
Rough Trade
 1985 
RT-564

Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.

--- ---

 Biker Rape Gang
 Author: Anonymous 
Rough Trade
 1985 
RT-565

Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.

--- ---

 Lockerroom Slave
 Author: Anonymous 
Rough Trade
 1985 
RT-566

--- ---



 Hot Hose Firehouse
 Author: Anonymous 
Rough Trade
 1985 
RT-567

(Cover not found.)

--- ---



 Steel Mill Stud
 Author: Anonymous 
Rough Trade
 1985 
RT-568

(Cover not found.)

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And that's all for now.

Next up: twelve more tantalizing titles from the Rough Trade imprint.

Until then...

Thanks for reading.

Hard Drivers - Ekstrak

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