Rare complete first issue of Playboy magazine, Volume I, No. 1, released in December 1953, 42 pages with third page numbered, 8.5 x 11, featuring the Marilyn Monroe on the cover. In very good condition, with overall creasing to covers, partial separations at spine ends, some scattered staining, and two small edge tears to seventh page. This is not only the first issue of Playboy ever produced, but also contains a pair of classic images of an American icon—Marilyn Monroe graces both the front cover and full-color nude inside. Only the first printing of this first issue had the number “3” on the third page, which is the rarest version—according to some estimates, this variant comprises fewer than 5% of the Playboy #1 magazines extant. As Playboy is known as one of the greatest pop culture phenomena in modern American history, the first issue, first printing is one of the most desirable of all 20th–century periodicals.
