Playboy centerfolds from 1953-1959
1953:
1954:
1955:
The issue that never was…
If anybody tries to sell you a March 1955 issue, tell him you’ll be glad to trade it for a
left-handed monkey wrench. In Playboy lore, the story of the missing March 1955 issue is the ultimate good news/bad news report. The good news: After an initial year in which Playboy’s press run had increased from 70,000 to 175,000 copies per issue, the first three months of 1955 saw circulation nearly double again. The bad news: Subscription and newsstand orders were flooding the magazine’s Chicago offices at such a rate that its tiny staff (a mere five names appeared on the masthead) was overwhelmed. "Though we’ve had everyone from receptionist to editors working nights, we haven’t been able to keep up with the demand," read the apologetic Playbill that led off the next issue–dated April. Reasoning that this was a good time to bring Playboy into line with other magazines, which traditionally appeared in the month previous to the date printed on the cover, editors simply skipped the March issue. Citing the lack of a March issue, the U.S. Post Office tried to deny Playboy its second-class postal permit. When Hefner reapplied, postal officials again turned him down–this time basing their refusal on the magazine’s editorial content. In November, Hef secured an injunction against the Post Office in Chicago, restraining it from further interference with the mailing of Playboy.
1956:
1957:
1958:
1959:
The image of Marilyn on the red velvet was actually not one of the images Hefner bought from Tom Kelley for the first edition of Playboy (the December 1953 edition) so it was not featured in that Playboy.
On the other hand you score high points for knowing that the other lady on red velvet is Arlene Hunter and not Monroe, most time you see images from that photo set on the net it is claimed to be her.
oh really, didn’t know about the photo from Tom Kelley, one of those myths again.,..
Thank you for sharing this. At last men can see natural brest. 😉 Without silicon.
so agree with you, love these pictures with *normal* girls…
Elaine Reynolds 1959.10.01 features in the movie Dead Poets Society …. such a blast from the past, and yes not a drop of silicone to be seen
oh didn’t know she was in the dead poets society, have to re-*watch that one now to see, thanks for the tip..
Oops, by that I mean this centrefold of her features in the movie, not the actual person. Sorry for that misunderstanding 🙂
aha, now that does make sense more 🙂 don’t confuse me on a friday, my head is just not up to it 😀
1. I had no idea Bettie Page was a Playmate. 2. I had no idea about the March ’55 issue. Great post!
2 new things learnt for you, good one.. Hope it will come up on a pub quiz soon 🙂
It goes without saying.when it comes to showing beautiful women playboy is still number one.
All these ladies are beautiful and classy.
I’m a huge admirer of the old playboy playmates, the photos are just so classy…
I love how the women are not stick thin either, they have curves and full breasts.
Hell yeah. ..
I like curvy ladies, they have such sex appeal.
Let Marilyn Monroe and Bettie Page forgive me, but Ellen Stratton is my favorite 1950s playmate.
Just the fact that we have a glimpse of her pubic hair already makes her a goddess to me.
A friend has about 300 Playboy centerfold pictures, in perfect condition, from years approximately 1960–1980 –
any advice about selling them?