Acquired Tastes XLIII:
Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 221
Rough Trade
Part 11 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. This week, I came up short twice.
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Chain Gang Chicken
Author: Anonymous
Rough Trade
1982
RT-521
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Boot Camp Recruit
Author: Anonymous
Rough Trade
1982
RT-522
Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.
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Street Corner Meat
Author: Anonymous
Rough Trade
1982
RT-523
Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.
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Brute Woodsman
Author: Anonymous
Rough Trade
1982
RT-524
(Cover not found.)
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Hard Hat’s Little Helper
Author: Anonymous
Rough Trade
1983
RT-525
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Rodeo Stud
Author: Anonymous
Rough Trade
1983
RT-526
(Cover not found.)
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Biker Blitz
Author: Anonymous
Rough Trade
1983
RT-527
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Top Kick
Author: Anonymous
Rough Trade
1983
RT-528
Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.
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Biker Stud
Author: Anonymous
Rough Trade
1983
RT-529
Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.
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Sailor Meat
Author: Anonymous
Rough Trade
1983
RT-530
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Hard Time Men
Author: Anonymous
Rough Trade
1983
RT-531
Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.
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Raunchy Ranch Hands
Author: Anonymous
Rough Trade
1983
RT-532
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!
The Ballroom Blitz - Sweet
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