Hefner’s ‘Viagra Ring’, first Playboy issue sold at auction
LOS ANGELES: Playboy founder Hugh Hefner embraced a hedonistic lifestyle of smoking jackets, multiple “girlfriends” and lavish parties at his legendary mansion. Now, hundreds of fans have paid big bucks for a piece of the myth.
Items from the late publisher’s personal collection — from his typewriter to the fi rst issue of his iconic magazine featuring Marilyn Monroe — went under the hammer in Los Angeles in a two- day sale that ended on Saturday.
The typewriter, which Hefner used at university and to write copy for the 1953 debut issue of Playboy, sold for US$ 162,500 ( RM679,000). His personal copy of that issue went for $ 31,250 ( RM130,600), according to Julien’s Auctions, which organised the sale. Lucky collectors will soon be able to lounge like the Hef: one of his bespoke red silk smoking jackets sold for US$ 41,600, and his “Viagra Ring” — a 14-karat gold and onyx ring concealing the little blue pill — was snapped up for $ 22,400 ( RM93,630).
Motorcycle jackets, a limo, a coin- operated jukebox, a pool table from the Playboy Mansion, even Hefner’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star — the array of items for sale was wide.
Hefner — who helped usher nudity into the American mainstream with his trailblazing mass-market magazine, shattering taboos along the way — died in September 2017 at the age of 91.
All proceeds from the auction will go to Hefner’s foundation, which supports civil rights advocacy groups, with a special focus on freedom of speech issues — a cause dear to the publisher’s heart. — AFP