The majority of the following lots are original polychrome artwork designs for the covers of paperback books published by KAYE publications.
Bernard and Alfred Kaye began publishing a range of pseudo-American gangster novels and spicy 'French' romances in 1949. All were written under house names by British authors.
By 1954 the Kayes had issued over 80 titles from their offices in London's Southampton Row, but their publishing careers were curtailed when their books were judged obscene at an Old Bailey trial. Both men received sentences of imprisonment and two of their authors were heavily fined.
Interestingly, the artist responsible for many of their cover designs, LEONARD PERCY GARD (C1922-?), and his agent, C.M. HALL, were also charged with 'conspiracy to publish obscene libels'. The Prosecution argued that 'what goes on on the outside of a book - namely the picture on the cover - has an important bearing in connection with book itself.'
Gard and Hall, however, were acquitted when they established that the paintings were submitted before the books were written.
STEVE CHIBNALL
THE PULP ARCHIVE
'Play It Smart'
Details
'Play It Smart'
Author Steve Markham
10 x 7½in.
'Ballyhoo' No.7
13 x 8in. (2)
Author Steve Markham
10 x 7½in.
'Ballyhoo' No.7
13 x 8in. (2)