So screams the seller line on 'The Leather Girls', blazoned in bold print next to an image of a buxon blonde, her golden locks artfully concealing her bare breasts while she looks in tantalised terror to the figure that looms before her. A brunette, with her back to the hapless - or hopeful - browser. In scant, form-fitting panties she domineers over the blonde, her hands firmly on her hips, a whip brandished threateningly. They were printed rampantly in the era of 1940 - 1970. Paperbacks, 'penny dreadfuls', sordid, tantalising, sleazy and compelling. Lesbian pulp fiction in a time where oral sex was still outlawed in many places. It was a flourishing genre, resulting in several thousand titles - many of which were reprinted - and are the chosen passion of many collector's today. Including myself! Many collectors of this genre are older - often lesbians or gay men - who read these books as young adults when they first hit the stands. They used these books as a means of connecting to what they knew there were, but couldn't understand, in a time where they would've been shunned by society for their orientation. Years onwards they collect them for their nostalgic values, their classic cover-art, their campy tales of forbidden desires. As a 21 year old lesbian in a world where homosxuality, if not entirely destigmatised is at least more viable as a lifestyle, iIt is only the last two that really apply for me - but there's something more...... CONTRADICTION: At the same time these novels were readily available for 95c a pop, television couples shared separate beds, fellatio and sodomy were illegal and the standard euphemism for pregnant was "expecting". Sex, much less lesbians, didn't exist in civilised society. Yet these pulp paperbacks told tales of sordid sins and wicked lusts, their cover girls bosoms straining quite impossibly against tight sweaters. Their perfectly coiffed, perfectly blonde all-American heads turning in wistful longing to ogle a mysterious brunette who eyed them with brazen lust. A telling tale of a society that refused to admit there were skeletons rattling around in their coordinated bedroom sets. CAMP: I ask you, who can resist seller lines like: "I am a Woman...... in love with a woman. MUST society reject me?" Rolled eyes and pouts were the standard fare of cover art, narrative like: "She recognised her danger...she was on the brink of total perversion!" the standard content. It was wonderful, in all its B-grade, melodramatic glory. Of course, not all stories were poorly written, but they all featured intense and sometimes improbable stories, and outrgaeous (sometimes outlandish) cover art and titles to ensure they would sell. COVER ART: There's some truly gorgeous stuff out there. 'Leather Girls', 'I Prefer Girls', 'Pajama Party', 'Perfume and Pain' - classic pulp covers. Beautifully illustrated and coloured, representing a vivid array of sterotypes, they have a charm contemporary pop culture lacks. HISTORICAL RELEVANCE: When
I read Gay & Lesbian non-fiction, it's mostly historical studies
that capture my attention. I love to read homosexuality in history, and
how it fit into different societies and cultures - how it was viewed, treated,
how it existed and flourished. From Ancient Greece to Renaissance England,
reading about the Isle of Lesbos and Romantic Friendships helps me connect
to a history I am a part of. It provides indisputable evidence homosexuality
has always been a part of our nature. And, through its accounts of the
differing treatment of homosexuals throughout time, it gives me some sense
of where we're going.
SOCIAL ATTITUDES: You could divide the authors of these novels very roughly into two generalisations: Lesbians, who sought to tell some truth in their writings and provide something to fill a void in other lesbian lives (eg: romance to relate to); and men who sought to titillate their audience through an account of two ladies (or more) getting it on. But there were few tales with happy endings. Lesbians who embraced their inherent nature often met with a tragic finish - death, or rejection by their beloved. Or, and definitley worse, the 'lesbian' would realise her affections for women had simply been childish whims, and sally off into the sunset with her 'rescuer' - a man. The nature of these endings serve to show us that lesbianism, though acknowledged in society, was something to be ashamed of, something that was considered perverse, immature or sinful. Titles like "The Twilight Lust", "Women in the Shadows" and "Women Without Men" were the sure sign of a lesbian tale and acted as an indicator to hopeful young women. Whether staring broodily beyond our line of vision, or gazing soulfully at each other, cover art of one woman alone, or two women side by side was also almost definetly the binder to a story of dark love. For young women to purchase these books was both a humiliating and frightening step. To be accused of lesbianism was to be rejected often by family and friends. In a world of rampant homophobia, purchasing lesbian pulps provided both a glimmer of hope that they were not alone and was a dangerous action which could potentially lead to their 'unmasking'. It is that culture of the lesbian pulps that appeal to me. That these books hold, not only an infuriatingly humorous record of the attitudes toward lesbianism in the mid-twentieth century, but that they also hold a history of refuge for confused or repressed or determined lesbians - who helped pave the way for the improved acceptance homosexuals have today. Lesbian Pulps have a great significance in our history - they're glorious examples of pop culture camp, and provide excellent insight into sociological attitudes. They're a valuable resource, AND they provide hours of fun! It's all good! Here's a little gallery of some of my favourite pulp covers. I scanned them, but I do not own the copyright on them, so use them if you wish although it would be appreciated if you provide a link back to this page.
Are you a collector who wants to sell? Contact me, cos I want to buy! Sorry, no trading, only purchasing. I prefer to collect as many titles as I can afford in one go, so definetely contact me if you're prepared to negotiate bulk prices. What I like:
What I don't like:
Links Many of these links have more links to other online resources. Lesbian Pulp Fiction - The article that first introduced me to the genre, discovered at log.khunt.net. Strange Sisters - The Art of Lesbian Pulp Fiction 1949 - 1969 - Not only is this a fabulous gallery of the best cover art in lesbian pulp, it serves as a valuable resource for new collectors - by providing you with the names of over 200 titles to look for! As well as that it has a list of book sellers and web pages you can buy from. Pulp Cards - A company that specialises in creating postcards and other merchandise bearing cover art of old pulps. Features a selection of lesbian pulps and traders and sellers you can buy from. The San Francisco Public Library - has a collection of lesbian pulps. Damnit, if I'd known that when I was in SF, I would've stayed longer! Passion and Penance: The Lesbian in Pulp Fiction - A fairly self explanatory title and apparently a good tracing of how lesbian fiction evolved. It's out of print and I'd like a copy - so if you have one to sell, please e-mail me! Odd Girls and Twilight Lovers: A History of Lesbian Life in Twentieth-Century America - Lillian Faderman is a Goddess. Her works on homosexuality throughout history are just my mug of chai. I've not read this book (and as above, I'd be interested in buying a copy) but it does cover lesbian pulp amongst its many other resources. eBay.com - The place I usually go to buy. The Lore of the Paperback Lesbian - An enjoyable article. Tawdry Town - Coverage of lesbian pulps as well as many others. BookDyke - Lesbian Pulp Fiction - Another good article. Online Stores |
