Acquired Tastes XLIII:
Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 221
Rough Trade
Part 7 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.
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 short just once. However, quality control issues continue; with an erroneous author name. Also note: those personal ads have gone away.
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Dick Duty
Author: Jon Faber
Rough Trade
1979
RT-473
(Cover not found.)
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Trucker's Load
Author: Jess Heller
Rough Trade
1979
RT-474
Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.
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Leatherman
Author: Mannie Hall
Rough Trade
1979
RT-475
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Hard, Hot and Hung
Author: Tony Toller
Rough Trade
1979
RT-476
Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.
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Hard-hat Apprentice
Author: Steve Ettiene
Rough Trade
1979
RT-477
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Trucker Fucker
Author: Ron Mullen
Rough Trade
1979
RT-478
Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.
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Rough Rider
Author: Marty Naar
Rough Trade
1979
RT-479
Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.
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Navy Dick
Author: Mannie Marr
Rough Trade
1979
RT-480
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The Whipping Boy
Author: Ronn Mullen
Rough Trade
1979
RT-481
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Punched-Out Dude
Author: Mannie Hall
Rough Trade
1979
RT-482
Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.
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The Cock Fighters
Author: Butch Dude Turner
Rough Trade
1979
RT-483
Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.
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Prison Punk
Author: Anthony Charles
Rough Trade
1979
RT-484
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.
Rough Trade - Adam Lambert
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