When Hugh Hefner’s Playboy magazine first went to production in 1953, they needed some way to make a lasting and memorable impact on the American public that would earn them repeat customers and, most importantly, notoriety. Playboy and Hefner got both by placing the greatest sex symbol the world has ever seen, Marilyn Monroe, on the cover of their inaugural issue.

Photographed in black and white, Monroe is an inviting presence on the cover of this magazine, beckoning for the interested reader to open the publication for its articles on high-living and, of course, ribald photographs. Hefner has signed his name on the cover in bold black marker to the left of Monroe’s head. The inside of this magazine contains the now-famous full color, nude photograph of Monroe in the pin-up style of the day. The photograph, taken by Tom Kelly, has achieved legendary status in the years since 1953. This magazine, which cost 50 cents at printing, is in excellent condition having been encapsulated and graded 7.5 by CGC. This comes with a LOA from JSA for Hefner’s signature.

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