Last October, I answered a music paper advertisement offering ‘erotic Debbie Harry and Kim Wilde pictures’. Being that way inclined, I sent for one of each.
After a week or so, I received a letter from the advertiser JHF, 28 Eckford Street, Cheetham, Manchester, stating that due to ‘lack of interest’ the project would not be going ahead after all, and my cheque for £3.98 was returned!
Shortly afterwards, a letter arrived from another firm, calling themselves Gemini Fine Arts, saying there’d been a ‘company change’ and, if I’d like to re-present my cheque, they’d send me the pictures.
‘These erotic prints cannot be purchased from shops, and I’m sure they will be to your satisfaction’, wrote J. Hughes, listed as a director on the headed paper.
Interested, I returned my cheque to Mr. Hughes, but since then I’ve heard nothing, even after a follow-up letter enclosing a photocopy of their invitation.
As they took the trouble to write back, I’d have thought they’d want to deliver the goods. Strangely enough, Gemini is based at exactly the same address as JHF.
Colin T. Brand, Leigh on Sea.
We’d like to hear from anyone who has received the promised erotica, trading on the respective reputations of Debbie Harry and Kim Wilde, in more ways than one. Judging from the Gemini Fine Arts headed paper, depicting a hooded executioner, plus chopping block, axe in hand, flanked by two portions of naked ladies, the ‘pictures’ unobtainable in your local W.H. Smith’s and Christian bookshop should be unusual to say the least.
Predictably enough, neither Debbie Harry or Kim Wilde know anything about it and certainly haven’t given JHF or gemini the go-ahead.
“These people don’t have either the band’s or Debbie’s permission to do it”, confirmed a Blondie spokesman. Kim Wilde, who heard the news herself during an intensive recording session, was said to be mildly amused, and expressed a desire to see the aforesaid artefacts.
All in all, if they pix exist, everyone, including people who’ve parted with hard-earned money for the pleasure, would like to see them, too.
But, in view of the fact that neither J. Hughes nor any other director of Gemini is registered at this Cheetham address, either on the local electoral register or at the register of business names in London, the background credentials of this venture into eroticism seem highly dubious. According to the current electoral list for beautiful downtown Cheetham someone completely different resides at number 28. Gemini Fine Art also claims ‘offices’ in Belfast and York as well as Manchester – neither of which are obviously on the map either.
At the time of going to press, no-one connected with Gemini or for that matter JHF had stirred to tell us about the current state of play. As telephone access to number 28 is also shrouded in mystery, we’re inviting the art team to call us on 01 836 1147, one more time, before we come knocking on the door.
Meanwhile, check out just who has cashed your cheque, where and when, via your bank and let us know the results.