Finding aid to underground erotic graphics and literature collection
Coll2012.180
Finding aid prepared by Erick Hawkins
Processing this collection has been funded by a generous grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
909 West Adams Boulevard
Los Angeles, California, 90007
(213) 741-0094
askone@ONEarchives.org
© 2012
Title: Underground Erotic Graphics and Literature collection
Identifier/Call Number: Coll2012.180
Contributing Institution:
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
2.9 linear feet.
2 archival boxes + 1 archival carton
Date (inclusive): 1940-1980
Abstract: An artificial collection of unauthored erotic literature and art (graphics) believed to have been created between 1940 and
1980. The theme of these works is almost exclusively homosexual, although there are some rare instances of bisexual and heterosexual
encounters with gay overtones. The bulk of this collection consists of photocopied materials, however there some original
typesets and original copies of literature and graphics.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged in the following series:
Series 1. Private Collections
Series 2. Individual Graphics and Literature
Historical Note
In its current form, gay male erotica is believed to have started about the time of World War II. Thought to be instigated
by the homoerotic subtext of groups of young men serving together in uniform, the slight liberalization of sodomy laws, the
rise of gay publications, the Kinsey report, and the emergence of gay political groups such as the Mattachine Society, gay
erotica began to weave its way into the national culture. Already available from foreign sources, social conservatism in the
United States forced authors into the underground. As a result, many erotic short stories and graphics are untraceable back
to their original authors.
In the 1950s, Supreme Court rulings on censorship and the opening up of first amendment rights created a significant shift
in authorship and publication of gay erotica from Europe to the United States. More pulp periodicals were being produced and
a resultant increase in published erotica was observed. Authors such as Eldon Barnard, Phil Andros, Dirk Vandon, and Richard
Amory wrote prolifically and their material could be found in magazines and books available at newsstands. The social stigma
associated with this subject matter loosened more in the post-Stonewall era and a litany of authors took advantage of this
new found freedom to increase the pornographic content of their material.
Although the storylines of erotica in this era are extremely diverse, most stories fall into a specific genre. The protagonist
is usually young and inexperienced and finds himself subject to the sexual whims of an authoritative male figure such as a
policeman, military member, cowboy, or older family member. The young man is unsure of his budding homosexuality and feels
assured by the senior figure that their activities are a normal, if not a secretive, part of life.
Sources
Miller, Edmond. (1995).
Erotica and Pornography. Essay retrieved from the GLBTQ encyclopedia available online.
Sheppard, Simon. (2007).
Homosex: Sixty Years of Gay Erotica. Carroll and Graf, publishers. New York.
Access
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.
Related Archival Material
Walker Erotica Collection, 2002-01, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society, San Francisco, California.
Conditions Governing Use
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian.
Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended
to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Acquisition Information
Date and method of acquisition unknown.
Preferred Citation
Box #, folder #, Explicit Underground Graphics and Literature, Coll2012.180, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries,
University of Southern California
Processing Information
This collection was created from various subject files and minor accessions housed at ONE. Collection processed by Erick Hawkins,
November 2012.
Scope and Contents
The majority of the works consist of text-only erotic short stories believed to be authored between 1940 and 1980. These stories
were either grouped with private collections or were singularly maintained. Duplication among private collections or between
private collections and individually listed graphics and stories should be expected. Most of the literature and graphics are
photocopied from original sources, however some original prints and rewrites are noted where found. Also in this collection
are short graphic stories, hand-drawn illustrations, and erotic comics and poems.
Separated Materials
Apricot, poetry by Scott Giantvalley. Edition 32/500 of Sean Series III,
JO, artwork by Sean.
Edition 12/500 Sean Series IV,
Sean's Gladiators, artwork by Sean.
Title Clarification
Stories without titles are listed by the first line of the story and are indicated by quotation marks. Untitled graphics are
listed by subject matter.
Private Collections Series 1.
undated
Scope and Contents
This series comprises erotic stories and images from various private collections. Each private collection consists of various
material collocated together in a binder or groups of similar binders by unknown collectors. The bulk of the material consists
of short stories with some hand-drawn graphics. Also included are limericks, erotic publications, and authors' personal notes.
Arrangement
This series is arranged alphabetically by collection. Typical collections have been listed first, followed by private collections
without a noticeable theme.
Box 1, Folder 2
Author's notes, Johnny Frazier
undated
Box 1, Folder 3
Mike Whalen's Leather Game Book No 1
undated
Box 1, Folder 4-5
Private Collection 1
undated
Scope and Contents
Consists of photocopies of 27 text-only short stories.
Box 1, Folder 6-7
Private Collection 2
undated
Scope and Contents
Consists of photocopies of 24 text only short stories. Four additional stories,
Invitation to the Ranch,
Happyland, "Since Don was only my half-brother. . . ," and portions of
Some Came Rimming are original typescript.
Box 1, Folder 8-9
Private Collection 3
undated
Scope and Contents
Consists of photocopies of 6 text only short stories. Eleven additional stories,
My New Model,
Bound to Model,
Michael's Metamorphosis,
The Foreman,
Turnabout,
The Intruder,
Carl,
A Game Called Situations,
Trial by Fire,
Ladd's Torture, and
Randy's Story are original typescript.
Box 1, Folder 10-16
Private Collection 4
undated
Scope and Contents
Consists of photocopies of 30 text only short stories originally arranged into seven separate binders. Photocopied graphics
are available throughout the collection.
Box 1, Folder 17-28
Private Collection 5
undated
Scope and Contents
Consists of photocopies of 154 text only short stories originally arranged into seven separate binders. Two additional stories,
The Leather Gods and "I had just got home from work. . . " are original typescript. Four more stories,
Episode in a Barn,
Well I'll be a Horse's Ass,
Lennox Avenue Local, and
Matadore Ole are illustrated short stories. Photocopied graphics are available throughout the collection.
Box 1, Folder 29-32
Private Collection 6
undated
Scope and Contents
Consists of photocopies of 3 text only short stories originally arranged into four separate binders. Six additional stories,
The Fraternity Initiation,
In Search of a Friend,
The Art of Love Making in Plain Language,
Two Lads and a Lake,
Motel Madness, and
Behind the Green Door are original typescript.
Individual Graphics and Literature Series 2.
undated
Arrangement
This series is sorted into four categories based on graphic and literary style. The contents of each category are arranged
alphabetically by title, subject matter, or the first line of the story (indicated in quotation marks) if no title exists.
Scope and Contents
This series contains mostly photocopies of text-only erotic short stories that were not maintained in any noticeable private
collection. Some material is original or original rewrites of source material. In addition, this series includes illustrated
literature, humorous images and prints, and paneled illustrations. Illustrated material is indicated by text and supporting
hand-drawn imagery. Graphic literature takes the form of short stories told in panel form without supporting text. Finally,
graphics are single panel images or photographs without a discernible storyline.
Text-Only Literature
undated
Box 2, Folder 1
"About 2 p.m. last Thursday. . ."
undated
Box 2, Folder 5
The Arizona Nights
undated
Box 2, Folder 8
The Beginning of Something
undated
Box 2, Folder 9
Behind the Green Door
undated
Box 2, Folder 16
"Bud Grant had joined the Navy. . . "
undated
Box 2, Folder 17
The Case of the Bootblack's Butler Friend
undated
Box 2, Folder 19
The Coach's Initiation
undated
Box 2, Folder 21
A Couple of Days Off
undated
Box 2, Folder 23
David and Absolom
undated
Box 2, Folder 24
A Day at the Station
undated
Box 2, Folder 27
Deep in the Heart of
undated
Box 2, Folder 28
Diary of a Photographer
undated
Box 2, Folder 33
First Impressions of San Francisco
undated
Box 2, Folder 34
The Flying Lesson
undated
Box 2, Folder 35
The Football Game
undated
Box 2, Folder 41
Going Down on the Farm
undated
Box 2, Folder 44
"He was called 'Larry the Whip'. . . "
undated
Box 2, Folder 47
"I begin this not knowing. . . "
undated
Box 2, Folder 48
I Found What I Wanted
undated
Box 2, Folder 49
Invitation to the Ranch
undated
Box 2, Folder 54
"Johnny Duncan whistled as he drove. . . "
undated
Box 2, Folder 55
"Last winter was the hottest I had ever known in London. . ."
undated
Box 2, Folder 56
Lawn Mowing Services
undated
Box 2, Folder 57
Learning the Hard Way
undated
Box 2, Folder 60
Lord Nick and his Pals
undated
Box 3, Folder 1
Love Comes to Steve
undated
Box 2, Folder 62
The Man Who Came to Dinner
undated
Box 2, Folder 63
The Marine Recruiter
undated
Box 2, Folder 67
Morning Interlude
undated
Box 2, Folder 69
The Motorcycle Cop
undated
Box 2, Folder 70
Motorcycle Gang-Bang
undated
Box 2, Folder 73
A Night in a Moorish Harem
undated
Box 2, Folder 74
The Night the Lights Went Out
undated
Box 2, Folder 75
A Night to Remember
undated
Box 2, Folder 77
A Nurses' Adventure
undated
Box 2, Folder 79
On a Ringe with a Dinge
undated
Box 2, Folder 81
One August Afternoon
undated
Box 2, Folder 84
Personal Appearance
undated
Box 2, Folder 89
Porno Movie Porno Movie
undated
Box 2, Folder 91
Possibilities Unlimited
undated
Box 2, Folder 92
The Rain Ceased and the Floods Came
undated
Box 2, Folder 93
Rather than Summer School
undated
Box 2, Folder 94
Right off the Boat
undated
Box 2, Folder 100
A Sailor Hitchhikes
undated
Box 2, Folder 104
Shore Leave"The bus jostled along. . . "
undated
Box 2, Folder 105
Shore Leave"During those few blocks walk. . . "
undated
Box 2, Folder 107
Sone's Vengeance - A Tale of Indo-China
undated
Box 2, Folder 108
Starting with Ralph
undated
Box 2, Folder 109
Steam Room Interlude
undated
Box 2, Folder 110
The Story of Q: The Proper Training for Young Slaves
undated
Box 2, Folder 111
"This is a study of pricks. . . "
undated
Box 2, Folder 115
Tales of Arabian Nights
undated
Box 2, Folder 118
Telephone Lineman
undated
Box 2, Folder 119
A Thing of Beauty in a Boy Forever
undated
Box 2, Folder 120
The Thirteen IOUs
undated
Box 2, Folder 121
Tortured with Sex
undated
Box 2, Folder 123
Two Boys at the Lake
undated
Box 2, Folder 125
The Unknown Sailor
undated
Box 2, Folder 126
Virgin Love, In School
undated
Box 2, Folder 127
Walt, Ray and Art
undated
Illustrated Literature
undated
Box 2, Folder 131
Face on the Studio Floor or Mid Semen Nite Dream
undated
Box 2, Folder 132
"God damn, no sleep again. . . "
undated
Box 2, Folder 133
One August Afternoon
undated
Box 2, Folder 134
"Not so bad, about twenty bucks. . . "
undated
Box 2, Folder 135
"Now that's a good looking piece of meat there. . . "
undated
Box 2, Folder 139
There's Always a First Time
undated
Box 2, Folder 140
To My Loving Wife
undated
Box 2, Folder 142
"Young Bill Norris laid in a sort of restless sleep. . . "
undated
Graphic Literature
undated
Box 2, Folder 143
Coach in locker room
undated
Scope
Contains hand drawn images of activities between athletes and a coach in a locker room.
Box 2, Folder 144
Man and Sailor with Belt
undated
Scope
Contains hand drawn images of activities between a sailor and a civilian man.
Box 2, Folder 145
Middle-Eastern men
undated
Scope
Contains hand drawn images of activities between three men from the Middle-East.
Box 2, Folder 147
Outhouse story
undated
Scope
Contains hand drawn images of activities between three men in a public outhouse.
Assorted Graphics
undated
Box 2, Folder 148
Assorted graphics
undated
Box 2, Folder 150
Images from "God damn, no sleep again. . . "
undated
Box 2, Folder 151
Images from
Well I'll be a Horse's Ass
undated
Box 2, Folder 153
Photocopied film images
undated
Box 2, Folder 154
Tom of Finland, photocopies
undated
