Collecting ‘Playboy’ Magazine


As well as being great fun to read, ‘Playboy’ magazine is probably the most collectible glamour magazine in the world! The magazine was founded by the visionary genius Hugh Hefner back in the 1950s. Today the ‘bunny girl’ logo is recognised the world over and Playboy magazines and associated collectibles are always a hit at collectors markets and magazine shows. The rarest issues of ‘Playboy’ tend to be the earliest – and collectors will always pay more if the magazine is signed by the cover girl or by Hefner himself.

Prices for back issues of Playboy vary of course. But in broad terms, issues from the 1980s and 90s sell for between $10 - $20 depending on their age and choice of cover star (Sharon Stone’s 1990 cover is worth an above average $40 for example). 70s issues tend to retail for about $20 - $25 per issue whilst issues from the early 60s are firmly in the $60-80 bracket. Among the most desirable of 70s issues are any containing the ‘playmate of the year’ Dorothy Stratten who was tragically murdered in the early 80s. Two movies have been made about her short life and collectors eagerly seek out the ‘Memorial issue’ dedicated to her memory. Issues from as far back as the 1950s can be worth as much as 3 figures in mint condition whilst the very first issue of ‘Playboy’ retails for a cool $1000 these days.

There are many Playboy collectibles available for under $20 however - including playing cards, drinking mugs, recent calendars and assorted key rings, pen sets and promotional items. One classic example of Hefner’s astute marketing strategy is the Playboy ‘Playmate Puzzle’ – a jigsaw puzzle in a tin can with the centerfold picture rolled up inside (for reference purposes only, of course). Opened cans with all the pieces and the picture intact retail for about $30 – expect to pay double the amount if the can itself is unopened (very rare). Earlier, vintage Playboy items demand a premium on the collectors market today. A 1959 Playboy calendar with cover girl demurely sniffing a rose can sell for up to $200 in mint condition!