Acquired Tastes XLIII: Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 221 - Rough Trade, Part 1 of 19

Acquired Tastes XLIII: 

Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 221

Rough Trade

Part 1 of 19

Today, we take a first 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 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.

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 first dozen titles. I lucked out and found something for all twelve.

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Miami Hustler

 Author: George Ferren 

Rough Trade

 1974 

RT-401

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Leather Boys

 Author: Jack Evans 

Rough Trade

 1974

 RT-402

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Cock Cult

 Author: John Platt 

Rough Trade

 1974 

RT-403

According to Hommi Publishing's Big Ass List, this one is "set in Libya".

Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.

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Brother Humper

 Author: Robert Nitzer 

Rough Trade

 1974 

RT-404

Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.

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 Trucker's Boy

Author: Jack Evans 

Rough Trade

 1974 

RT-405

Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.

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Sucking Seamen

 Author: Boyd Rogers 

Rough Trade 

1974 

RT-406

According to Hommi Publishing's Big Ass List, this one is the story of when "Eric joins his brother on a treasure­ hunting ship in the Caribbean".

Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.

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Young Billy

 Author: James Marcus 

Rough Trade

 1974 

RT-407

Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.

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Butt Reamers

 Author: Paul Stevenson 

Rough Trade

 1974 

RT-408

Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.

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Jimmy’s First Time

 Rough Trade 

Author: Jack Minor 

1974 

RT-409

Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.

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Slave Boy

Rough Trade 

Author: Floyd Lawrence

 1974 

RT-410

Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.

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 Biker's Boy

 Author: Jack Evans 

Rough Trade

 1974 

RT-411

Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.

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Roughneck Rimmer

 Author: Chuck Brett 

Rough Trade

 1974 

RT-412

Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.

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And that's all for now.

Next up: a dozen more tantalizing titles from the Rough Trade Imprint.

Until then...

Thanks for reading.

First Time - Teeks