Acquired Tastes XLIII:
Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 221
Rough Trade
Part 16 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.
Gutter Boy - TKO
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. Came up short twice this week.
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Abused at Attica
Author: Anonymous
Rough Trade
1986
RT-581
Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.
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Mean Marine
Author: Anonymous
Rough Trade
1986
RT-582
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Tough Chicken
Author: Anonymous
Rough Trade
1986
RT-583
Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.
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Black Stud’s Sex Toy
Author: Anonymous
Rough Trade
1986
RT-584
(Cover not found.)
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Leavenworth Leatherboy
Author: Anonymous
Rough Trade
1986
RT-585
(Cover not found.)
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Forced to Take It
Author: Anonymous
Rough Trade
1986
RT-586
Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.
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Biker's Boyslave
Author: Anonymous
Rough Trade
1986
RT-587
Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.
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Roped Chicken
Author: Anonymous
Rough Trade
1986
RT-588
Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.
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Gutter Boy
Author: Anonymous
Rough Trade
1986
RT-589
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Sea Meat
Author: Anonymous
Rough Trade
1986
RT-590
Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.
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Truckers Trick
Author: Anonymous
Rough Trade
1986
RT-591
Available as a downloadable PDF or ebook at Hommi Publishing.
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Chicken in Chains
Author: Anonymous
Rough Trade
1986
RT-592
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!
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