Acquired Tastes XLIII: Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 221 - Rough Trade, Part 6 of 19

Acquired Tastes XLIII: 

Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 221

Rough Trade

Part 6 of 19

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

(A special long overdue thanks to texbearjoe, Hommi Publishing and Butch Stephens for the many covers they've come up with.)

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.

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. This week, I came up with something for all twelve. However, quality control issues continue; with duplicated numbers (RT-459 and RT-460 were each assigned twice).

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Breaking-in to Leather

 Author: Michael Jones 

Rough Trade

 1977 

RT-459

This number was duplicated.

Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.

--- ---

Brownout Bait

 Author: Mannie Hall 

Rough Trade

 1977 

RT-459

--- ---

Motorcycle Cops

 Author: Eric Harden 

Rough Trade

 1977 

RT-460

This number was duplicated.

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Task Master

 Author: D. A. M. Leonard 

Rough Trade

 1977 

RT-460

--- ---

Nazi Bikers

 Author: Judd Hall 

Rough Trade

 1978 

RT-465

--- ---

Berlin Bullies

 Author: Kurt Luger 

Rough Trade

 1978 

RT-466

Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.

--- ---

His Superior Officer

 Author: Spike Cummings 

Rough Trade

 1978 

RT-467

--- --

 Hot Cock Cowboy

 Author: Mannie Hall 

Rough Trade

 1977 

RT-468

At the time of this writing, there was a copy of this one for sale at Oxxbridge Galleries for $103.02!

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Midnight Plowboy

 Author: D. C. Greene 

Rough Trade

  1978 

RT-469

Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.

--- ---

Road Boys

 Author: Everett Avery 

Rough Trade

 1978 

RT-470

Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.

--- ---

Leather Brutes

  Author: L. K. Bart 

Rough Trade

 1978 

RT-471

Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.

--- ---

King of the Docks

 Author: Manny Moro 

Rough Trade

 1979 

RT-472

Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.

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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!

Midnight Cowboy - John Barry