It would appear that Gold Star either ceased to exist or changed its name to Gadoline at some point towards the end of 1968, with the name Gadoline first appearing in 1969.

The two main titles were Relax and Mustang, but these were supplemented by a mixture of other more random titles that were just one offs, or that just ran for a couple of numbers during 1970 & 71. Relax, I am sure, was first on the scene in 1967, with Mustang following just a short time after. All these publications were slightly better quality than a great many others that were available on the newsagents stand around this time, and also slightly bigger at 21cm by 13.5 cm - as a comparison ToCo books are 17.5cm by 11.5cm.

Content and layout between the titles is reasonably similar, although Mustang was certainly more orientated towards the boot fetishist.

I am fond of all books from these two publishers; they are just that bit more stylised and edgy than some of the others available at the time. They both have no nudity; it’s all about suggestion and temptation - great stuff!

Relax

Relax was published from 1967 until 1970. I am not entirely sure how many editions there were, as I sadly don’t have a full collection. Ordering copies by numbers is difficult, as there are both books numbered as volumes and also just with numbers, but this is my best guess as to how it might have worked:

Gold Star started numbering their books in volumes; from Volume 1 No 1 (1967) until volume numbering ended towards the end of Volume 2. It then went to just numbers, but what number they started from I am not sure. At Number 17, Gadoline are stated as the publisher; the price went up and the books had a colour centrefold from this point on. It must be noted that the first book (Vol 1 No 1) is quite different from all the others - very much more Pin-Up in style; more negligees and topless models. From Vol 1 No 4, there was a new editor and it took on a completely different style and feel. There were Specials and By Demand titles; the By Demands were reprints of earlier books, with the set sequences mixed up. There were also errors with some of the numbering, with cover numbers not matching those printed inside.

All these things make it difficult for collectors 50 years later, but let’s not worry too much about that and just enjoy them for what they are - great books with great pictures of some very sexy looking girls!

Mustang

Mustang was stated as being published monthly from 1967 until 1970 - just 16 editions as far as I am aware. From the publication years, you would naturally assume there ought to be more books, but I have never seen a book beyond No 16. Mustang started its life published by Gold Star, but from 1969 this changed to Gadoline. There were also two special editions and four books titled as ‘Mustang by Request’. These were essentially reprints of the first four books published by Gold Star, with the models placed in a different order and a different centrefold.

Contents are very typical of the changing times, with lots of mini's, stockings and tights; many of the models are wearing their knickers on top of their tights, which was typically the way they were worn when tights were first becoming popular. One other stand out feature was that a large proportion of the sets feature girls wearing boots, either just below the knee or the thinner style boots that covered the knees as well. The model sets are well photographed and printed on decent quality paper. There is more or less no nudity, but always just that hint of what might lie underneath. Sadly, only some of the models are named, though each set is accompanied by a short text about what might be going on. Those familiar with the ToCo collection of books will recognise a few of the models’ names.

Others

Gadoline published many other glamour titles - some of which were just one offs and specials. Apartment was one title that ran for a couple of years. It was quite different from Relax and Mustang in that most of the models were topless. As is often the case, there were some familiar faces gracing pages of these books.

My favourite title from Gadoline, by a good margin, is most definitely Mustang. I will, as always, add more Gadoline titles as and when I come across them.