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This is a great exposition of the illustrators who (at least then) toiled in anonimity, creating this wonderfully evocative art. As a straight male and a pulp/paperback enthusiast, I approached this book curiously, wondering if I was really its "intended audience." I didn't know whether the book had some hidden agenda. After a look, I see that it's a real gem and no political manifesto. The art reproductions are excellent, with interesting text. I recommend.
I wish there was more commentary to go along with the covers. They loved it. I got this for a friend of mine who likes old pulp covers. Maybe even a little excerpt from a few of the book to see what they were like. I checked it out and liked it too. The covers are great. Other than that shortcoming I loved the covers. So did my friend.
The book is basically a collection of full color reproductions of the cover art of lesbian-themed books.Pictured is the art from books with titles like "Women's Barracks," "Women in Prison," "Reform School Girls," "Warped Women," and "By Love Depraved." There is a gallery of art from Bannon's historically significant books, as well as a gallery of covers from different editions of "The Well of Loneliness" (the mother of all lesbian novels). I was really intrigued by "Strange Sisters: The Art of Lesbian Pulp Fiction 1949-1969," by Jaye Zimet. The book also features a foreword by writer Ann Bannon. The cover art is often titillating, often outrageous; there are occasional hints of violence and some really poignant images. A fascinating historical collection of images of lesbianism in popular culture.
Aside from the cover art is the copy from the covers. The 50s and 60s strapped women into undergear that created cleavage only since surpassed by Xena. Phrases like "The Savage Novel of a Lesbian on the Loose" and "Blunt revelations of what happens when deviate women seek advancement in the business world" and "His new girl-wife was a vibrant, virgin beauty.and a sensual, shrewd, licentious lesbian."Then there's the pure trash. This collection features covers from lesbian pulp fiction of that era and the cleavage is eye-popping. It's delightful to thumb through, a real blast from the past to read. titles like "Satan was a lesbian" and "Man Hater" with covers so campy they made me laugh. All in all, this a really fun book and quite a conversation piece.
This is an excellent reference book for collectors of lesbiana, general paperback collectors, and book dealers. Practically every lesbian pb printed in the 50s and 60s is shown. The only problem: if you are a collector you may die of envy, since the author owns all the titles.
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