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 first issue of his iconic magazine featuring Marilyn Monroe – went under the hammer in Los Angeles in a two-day sale that ended Saturday.
Lucky collectors will soon be able to lounge like the Hef: one of his bespoke red silk smoking jackets sold for $41,600, and his ‘Viagra Ring’ – a 14-karat gold and onyx ring concealing the little blue pill – was snapped up for $22,400.
Late Playboy publisher Hugh Hefner’s personal copy of the magazine’s first issue featuring Marilyn Monroe sold for $31,250, according to Julien’s Auctions
Late Playboy publisher Hugh Hefner’s bespoke smoking jacket sold for $41,600 at auction
The auction will take place on November 30 and December 1 at Julien’s Auctions with all proceeds going to the Hugh M. Hefner Foundation
Hefner’s ‘Viagra Ring’ – a 14-karat gold and onyx ring concealing the little blue pill – was snapped up for $22,400
The typewriter, which Hefner used at university and to write copy for the 1953 debut issue of Playboy, sold for $162,500.
His personal copy of that issue went for $31,250, according to Julien’s Auctions, which organized the sale.
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’s slippers? Up for grabs. Silk pajamas in a range of colors? Yep. Bed linens? That too.
Actor Jim Belushi paid $3,125 for a leather-bound copy of a script from an episode of classic US sketch comedy show ‘Saturday Night Live’ hosted by Hefner in 1977. Belushi’s late brother John was part of the cast.
Hefner died of natural causes at his Beverly Hills mansion in September 2017, pictured in 2014 with wife Crystal Hefner
The vintage Underwood Standard Portable typewriter used in college by late Playboy publisher Hugh Hefner sold for $162,500
Hefner’s famous sailor cap sold for $19,200 along with his Playboy logo cuff links and carved briar pipe also featuring a Playboy logo
His carved Briar pipe sold for $11,520 at auction with a custom playboy symbol
Hef’s Hollywood Walk of Fame Star sold for $57,600 over the weekend
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.
The magazine, recognizable worldwide for its voluptuous cover girls and its emblematic rabbit logo, became a sensation not long after hitting newsstands.
But beyond the glossy was the brand, a lucrative empire of nightclubs, television series and apparel.
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.
An online-only auction of more memorabilia – a smaller selection than was available at the two-day auction – will take place on December 17.
A lucky better is lounging like Hugh Hefner in his signature Playboy slippers
Hefner’s 2016 passport was on sale in the massive haul that made thousands for his civil rights focused charity at the end of the month
Martin Nolan, executive director of Julien’s Auctions, said: ‘We are honored to present this extraordinary auction event that celebrates a pop culture icon, whose life and legacy truly embodied the American dream.’
Christie Hefner, his daughter, added: ‘Whether it was building his company into one of the most recognizable global brands in history or standing up for social, sexual and civil rights causes, my father lived an extraordinary life as a publishing, social and cultural pioneer.’
Hefner’s iconic Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles was sold in May 2016 to Daren Metropoulos, the co-owner of Hostess Brands, for $100 million.
Hefner continued to live in the mansion until his death at the age of 91 from natural causes in September 2017.