In 1953, Hugh Hefner launched Playboy magazine and it was an instant sensation. The first issue featured Marilyn Monroe and sold out in days becoming one of the most collectible men’s magazines of all time. Through the 1950s Playboy featured Bettie Page, Jayne Mansfield, and Brigitte Bardot. Hefner’s editing strategy included in-depth interviews with prominent figures; serious literature by such writers as Hemingway, Steinbeck, and Kerouac; and for the art of illustrators like LeRoy Neiman, Shel Silverstein, and Alberto Vargas. These early issues are hard to find today and pricey when you do, which is what makes this digital collection so significant—every page of every issue of Playboy from the 1950s is stored in color on a DVD-ROM archive, complete with a powerful search engine for Mac and PC computers. The facsimile reproduction of the premier issue of Playboy with Marilyn Monroe is a bonus! This set lists for $100. You can buy it for $29.95 at salesbooks.com. What a great deal!
Wow – that is a bargain.
I know there are lots of jokes about guys “reading the articles” but Playboy did have some great interviews over the years. I still remember Alex Haley on George Lincoln Rockwell, for one.
There are hours of delight on these DVDs, Jeff! And the copy of the first PLAYBOY is priceless!
I checked; it was in 1966. As I remember it, Rockwell insisted he wouldn’t let a Jew interview him so they sent Haley.
I remember that, Jeff!
I haven’t looked at an issue of this magazine for many years, but in the decade covered here I was a hormone-filled teen and thought it was great stuff. The last time I saw an older issue,I thought it looked very dated. Though it would be nice to have some of the illustration work – always a strong point – and the annual jazz award articles, and the Shel Silverstein and such, I’ll pass even at the low price.
Dated or not, these early issues of PLAYBOY have great interviews and artwork and fiction. PLAYBOY became the highest paying magazine for fiction, Rick. All the top names are here.
Hmmm, $30 for all that artwork. Maybe…
You won’t be sorry if you buy this set, Rick. The color is fabulous!
By the way, George, my current post is my Friday Forgotten Book post for this week.
I noticed that, Rick.
I had a sub for several years, and I really did read the articles. But your mention of Neiman reminds me of this quote, “LeRoy Neiman is to art what a banjo is to a symphony orchestra.”
Yes, I remember that quote, Bob! I think Martin Mull on HOLLYWOOD SQUARES uttered that immoral line.
George is like the Devil on Tom Hulce’s shoulder in ANIMAL HOUSE tempting you on to do things you don’t really want to do.
😉
As Oscar Wilde said, “The best way to get rid of a temptation is to give into it,” Jeff!
Yes, Martin Mull. I could see his face as I typed it but the name wouldn’t come. Thanks.