Acquired Tastes XLIII:
Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 221
Rough Trade
Part 4 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.
One of my favorite pseudonyms ever: Manuel Colon.
According to Hommi Publishing's Big Ass List, this one is about "S&M with a bike gang".
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.
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. I lucked out and found something for all twelve this week. And please note, as advertised on the cover, the series addition of personal ads with pictures, starting with RT-441.
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Leather Bound & Beaten
Author: John Davies
Rough Trade
1976
RT-437
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Hot White Suckers
Author: Charles Speare
Rough Trade
1976
RT-438
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Trucking Sucker
Author: Jason Darren
Rough Trade
1976
RT-439
Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.
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Sex Slave Boys
Author: William Cooper
Rough Trade
1976
RT-440
Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.
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Boot Licker
Author: Bill Cooper
Rough Trade
1976
RT-441
Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.
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Sucked-in Sailor
Author: George Wilson
Rough Trade
1975
RT-442
Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.
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Hot Hard Comers
Author: Charles Speare
Rough Trade
1976
RT-443
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Hard Truckin’ Sucker
Author: Milt Baron
Rough Trade
1976
RT-444
Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.
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Roped and Broken Cowboy
Author: Manuel Colon
Rough Trade
1976
RT-445
Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.
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Backdoor Slave
Author: L. K. Bart
Rough Trade
1976
RT-446
Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.
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Hard Horny Cowpokes
Author: Kevin Courage
Rough Trade
1976
RT-447
Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.
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Man-Handled Man
Author: Kevin Courage
Rough Trade
1976
RT-448
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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.
Man Handled - Brandi Harvey
