History of ‘Playboy Magazine’ Amid its 2025 Return to Print

Lauren Novak February 11, 6:59 pm

Hugh Hefner Playboy collage — Michael Buckner/Getty Images; David McNew/Newsmakers

For decades, Hugh Hefner’s Playboy Magazine wasn’t just a men’s magazine, but also a pop culture symbol. From its historical debut in 1953 to its departure from print, and now its return, Playboy has been a source of fascination, controversy and even nostalgia. Let’s take a closer look at the magazine’s storied past, its most famous issue, whether vintage copies are worth big bucks, and what’s inside the new 2025 edition.

The birth of Playboy Magazine

Playboy publisher Hugh Hefner holds a copy of the magazine's first issue, featuring Marilyn Monroe, at a press event at a Tower Records store in Manhattan

Rick Maiman/Sygma via Getty Images

In December 1953, founder Hugh Hefner (who passed away in 2017) borrowed around $1,000 from his own mother to launch the very first issue of Playboy from his tiny Chicago apartment. It was a bold move, but he had a secret weapon: an unpublished nude photo of Marilyn Monroe. He had purchased the rights to the photo from a calendar company for $500. That first issue had no date on the cover because Hefner wasn’t sure there’d be a second. However, it sold out, and the rest is history.

From the start, Playboy was more than just provocative pictures. Hefner modeled it after the sophisticated men’s magazines of the time, blending photography with editorial content. Over the years, the magazine became known for its high-profile interviews, short stories and groundbreaking discussions on social and political issues, not just nude photos.

The most popular Playboy issue of all-time

20th Century Fox Film Corp./Everett Collection

While Playboy had plenty of landmark issues, the November 1972 edition remains its biggest seller, moving over seven million copies. This issue featured a striking cover with Swedish model Lena Söderberg (sometimes credited as Lenna Sjööblom) and an unforgettable centerfold starring Pam Rawlings.

This issue gained unexpected fame in the tech world when researchers at the University of Southern California scanned a cropped image of Söderberg’s face and shoulder to test image-processing techniques and called it a “Lenna” image. This became standard in computer programming and helped develop JPEG and MPEG formats. While some regard it as a milestone in tech history, others find its use problematic, seeing it as reinforcing sexism in male-dominated fields like computer science. Despite the image’s widespread use, Playboy did not pursue legal action for the unauthorized scan.

When did Playboy stop printing?

A FINE MESS, Howie Mandel, Ted Danson, 1986

Columbia Pictures/Everett Collection

After decades of success, Playboy hit a crossroads. Changing attitudes, the rise of the internet and declining print sales made it harder to justify a physical magazine. In 2020, Playboy announced that it would stop regular print editions and shift its focus to digital content. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this transition for many publishers, marking the end of an era for many print magazines, including Playboy.

Are old Playboy magazines worth money?

VICKI!, (from left): Hugh Hefner, host Vicki Lawrence, 1992-94

Group W Productions/ Everett Collection

If you’ve got a stash of old Playboy magazines in your attic, they might be worth a closer look. Early issues, especially those from the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s, can fetch a good price among collectors, but don’t count on anything being worth hundreds or thousands. The 1953 Marilyn Monroe issue is the holy grail, of course. Issues featuring major celebrities like Madonna, Cindy Crawford and Anna Nicole Smith also hold significant value. Condition and rarity play a huge role, so if you have a well-preserved vintage issue, you could be sitting on a collector’s item.

Playboy Magazine returned in 2025

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On Feb. 11, 2025, Playboy made its grand return to print after a five-year hiatus. The issue celebrates everything that made the brand iconic while also embracing modern storytelling and culture. The issue features a vintage-inspired cover featuring Lori Harvey, a nod to the golden age of Playboy. The issue also shares exclusive interviews with comedians Nikki Glaser and J.B. Smoove, celebrity chef Matty Matheson and country music star Eric Church. The Playmate of the Year is Gillian Nation, captured in a stunning celebratory spread.

The new issue delves into the investigative reporting Playboy is known for. It features a deep dive into a billionaire’s secretive retreat, a behind-the-scenes look at LA’s underground sex parties and a list of “25 Things You Absolutely Must Do in 2025 or Before the World Ends (Whichever Comes First).”

The 2025 edition is available now, online and in print at Barnes & Noble locations nationwide. If you’ve followed Playboy‘s journey over the years or if you’re a collector, this is one issue you won’t want to miss, as it could become a collector’s item.