NEW YORK, NY.- Coinciding with the 70th Anniversary of the founding of the lifestyle and entertainment magazine, Bonhams will present a selection of works of art from the Collection of Playboy from November 8 – 17. Playboy reflected the major world events and cultural shifts of the 20th and 21st Centuries, most notably defining the archetype of the international bon vivant. Their commitment to publishing original, provocative content grew their reputation as a cultural tastemaker, attracting Pulitzer prize-winning and internationally renowned writers to every issue. The works in this dedicated sale represent a celebration of storytelling.

An influential force behind the magazine’s artistic vision since it was founded in 1953 was Art Paul (1925 – 2018), an American graphic designer and the first art director of Playboy. In addition to designing the brand’s instantly recognizable Bunny logo, Paul commissioned original paintings and illustrations for the magazine and had a particular knack for identifying artists early in their careers who would later go on to find commercial success.

All of the commissioned works in the sale were created during his time as the magazine’s art director, a position which he held until 1982. Based in Chicago, Paul pulled heavily from the city’s art scene – specifically the highly original, expressive, Pop-meets-Surrealist figurative group of artists known today as the Chicago Imagists. During his tenure, the magazine won numerous awards for its art direction and design.

Two leading figures of the Chicago Imagists represented in the sale are Roger Brown (1941-1997) and Ed Paschke (1939-2004). The two paintings by Brown, each estimated at $40,000 – 60,000, are Neighbors, published in June 1973 to illustrate a short story by mystery writer Robert McNear, and Xong of Xuxan, published in October 1970 to illustrate a short story by science fiction and fantasy writer Ray Russell. Additionally, the sale will feature three works by Paschke, who began his career as a professional illustrator, including The Americanization of Vietnam, estimated at $15,000 – 20,000, which was published in January 1970 with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Halberstam’s commentary on the disastrous effects of the United States’ interference in Vietnam. The Great Girl Nut Contest by Paschke, estimated at $30,000 – 50,000, ran alongside a humor story by Roger Price in December 1968 while The Great Race by Paschke, estimated at $20,000 – 30,000, was published in May 1972 with an article by Reg Potterton. Also of note in the sale is an illustration published in the After Hours series from the January 1975 issue titled Up Front After Hours #4, estimated at $12,000 – 18,000, by Patrick Nagel (1945-1984), an artist known for his graphic and highly-stylized illustrations.