(LOT 80)
Extraordinary Collection of the First 3 Playboy Issues Including a Sensational CGC 7.5 Inaugural December 1953 Marilyn Monroe Playboy (2nd Issue/Jan. '54 Graded a CGC 8; 3rd issue/Feb. '54 Graded a CGC 9)
Presented here is an extraordinary Americana collection, the first three issues of Hugh Hefner's iconic Playboy Magazines with the inaugural December 1953 magazine portraying Marilyn Monroe on the front cover as well as her legendary nude centerfold illustration. All three Playboy magazines have been encapsulated and graded by the prestigious CGC company that is ultimately considered the "PSA" of magazine authentication. The technical grades are extremely high for all three Playboys, including a "7.5" for the celebrated first issue (December 1953); an "8.0" for issue#2 (January 1954) and a "9.0" for issue#3 (February 1954). Of utmost significance is the truly immortal first issue that includes America's pinnacle "blonde bombshell" Marilyn Monroe on both the front cover and ultra-popular "sweetheart of the month" centerfold pic. Born Norma Jean Mortenson on June 1, 1926, Monroe would eventually change her name and became America's greatest all-time sex symbol, standing as the embodiment of an American culture widely changing its attitude towards sexuality throughout the 1950's.

Her extensive list of films would gross over $200 million, and by the time of her tragic death in 1962, she would arguably stand alongside the likes of Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra as America's most popular Hollywood entertainers. This unparalleled stature led the great Hugh Hefner to choose this fascinating starlet as the central focus of his inaugural Playboy magazine. Her presence on both the front cover and more significantly, her nude centerfold picture, led to roughly 50,000 copies being sold after its immediate release. The story of her legendary centerfold picture dates back to 1949 when she posed nude for photographer Tom Kelley for only $50, with all of the nude images set against a voluptuous red velvet backdrop. Kelley would eventually sell his nude photographs to the Western Lithograph Company who wanted the photos to promote their widely distributed calendars. Four years later, these nude photos would resurface when Hefner decided to purchase the images from the Chicago based John Baumgarth calendar-making company for $500. Hefner would utilize the most renowned "knees in bending position" photo as the centerfold for his inaugural Playboy issue, originally dubbing this Marilyn Monroe nude picture as "The Sweetheart of the Month".

Hefner would quickly change that title to "Playmate of the Month", switching gears for his 1954 and future Playboy magazines. In a nutshell, this stands as an abbreviated version of the story behind this momentous #1 Playboy that most likely resides as the most famous magazine issue in American history. Its lofty "7.5" CGC grade suffices as unquestionable proof for its world-class condition and breathtaking aesthetics that have stubbornly defied "Father-Time" over the past 67 years. Although we cannot see the interior pages, the stratospheric "7.5" technical assessment surely indicates that all of the pages are fully intact and portray no obtrusive flaws, including the iconic Marilyn Monroe nude photo. Not to be outdone, issues number 2 (Jan.'54) and 3 (Feb.'54) likewise reveal magnificent eye appeal, with their respective "8.0" and "9.0" CGC grades serving as bona-fide testament for their immaculate-like condition. Issue#2 would be the first Playboy magazine designating the centerfold model as "Playmate of the Month" which in this case was Margie Harrison. The centerfold beauty for Issue#3 would be Marilyn Waltz (as Margaret Scott). Of interesting note, a classic Marilyn Monroe picture of her seated on an elephant and related article would also be included in the January 1954 second issue (pages 16-18), with Hugh Hefner obviously utilizing the "Blonde Bombshell" once again to reinforce the amazing popularity generated by his fabulous inaugural issue!

MIN BID $2,000
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