Playboy Magazine – July 1977 – Volume 24, Number 7 – Vintage US Edition

Original July 1977 issue of Playboy Magazine, featuring an interview with United States Ambassador Andrew Young, an article by former White House Press Secretary Ron Nessen, fiction by Paul Theroux, and original 1970s photography, journalism, entertainment features and advertising.

IMPORTANT: Pages 169 and 170 have been removed from this magazine. This is confirmed by a printed notice attached to the front cover. The magazine is therefore incomplete and is being sold as such.

This is a genuine vintage American edition of Playboy: Entertainment for Men, published in July 1977.

The magazine offers a fascinating selection of political journalism, literary fiction, contemporary entertainment coverage, cultural commentary, humour, lifestyle articles and original period advertising.

Particularly noteworthy are the contributions from Andrew Young, Ron Nessen, Paul Theroux, Bruce Williamson, Jules Siegel and Arthur Bell, alongside coverage of American television, film, popular culture and contemporary social issues.

The issue provides an interesting snapshot of American life during the summer of 1977, particularly the early months of Jimmy Carter's presidency.

Magazine Details

• Publication: Playboy – Entertainment for Men

• Publication Date: July 1977

• Volume: 24

• Issue Number: 7

• Original US Cover Price: $1.50

• Country of Publication: United States

• Language: English

• Format: Original printed monthly magazine

• Era: 1970s

• Condition: Pre-owned vintage copy with noticeable age-related wear and missing pages

• Completeness: Incomplete – pages 169 and 170 removed

• SKU: 1571

Front Cover – Original July 1977 Photography

The front cover features an unusual and visually distinctive colour photograph combining fashion photography with Playboy's familiar rabbit imagery.

The cover model is Pamela Serpe, identified in the magazine's contents as an actress and model.

She is photographed wearing a dark bikini and high-heeled sandals while posing against an oversized blue inflatable rabbit-shaped object.

The inflatable features large upright ears and a rounded body, creating a playful visual interpretation of the magazine's rabbit branding.

Pamela is positioned sideways against the inflatable, with one leg raised and her head turned towards the camera.

Her dark, shoulder-length wavy hair contrasts with the blue inflatable and pale cream background.

The composition is characteristic of the playful, experimental photographic styling used in magazine covers during the 1970s.

The large red PLAYBOY masthead dominates the upper section.

The magazine's original slogan, Entertainment for Men, appears directly beneath the title.

The issue date, July 1977, and original American price of $1.50 are printed at the upper right.

The photographed contents page identifies Pamela Serpe as having appeared in television productions including Police Woman and The Rockford Files.

Prominent Cover Headlines

Ford Press Aide Ron Nessen: Blue Jokes in the White House

A feature by former White House Press Secretary Ron Nessen.

The New Porn Stars: Beautiful and Talented

An article examining performers working in the adult-film industry during the 1970s.

An Interview with Outspoken Ambassador Andrew Young: Will Diplomacy Ever Be the Same?

A major political interview with Andrew Young, the American diplomat and civil-rights figure.

These cover stories demonstrate the magazine's mixture of political journalism, entertainment reporting and contemporary cultural commentary.

Major Feature – Playboy Interview: Andrew Young

Page 61 – Playboy Interview: Andrew Young

One of the principal editorial features in this issue is a substantial interview with Andrew Young, the United States Ambassador to the United Nations during President Jimmy Carter's administration.

The magazine describes the interview as a candid conversation with the new UN Ambassador.

The feature explores several significant political and diplomatic subjects, including:

• American foreign policy during the Carter administration.

• Political developments in Africa.

• Young's position on contemporary international affairs.

• Disarmament discussions.

• His experience working alongside Martin Luther King Jr.

• The relationship between civil rights and international diplomacy.

Andrew Young was an important figure in the American civil-rights movement before entering diplomatic service.

This contemporary 1977 interview may be of particular interest to collectors of American political history, civil-rights memorabilia and original political journalism.

Ron Nessen – Running the World Is Funnier Than You Think

Page 86 – Article by Ron Nessen

Another significant feature is an article written by Ron Nessen, who served as White House Press Secretary under President Gerald Ford.

The contents describe the article as revealing the humorous side of life among people working close to the American presidency.

The feature provides a behind-the-scenes perspective on the Ford administration and the personalities surrounding the White House.

The front cover specifically promotes the article's discussion of humour within the White House.

This is an interesting contemporary contribution from a former senior member of the presidential press operation.

Paul Theroux – Adulterer's Luck

Page 90 – Fiction by Paul Theroux

The issue contains an original fictional contribution from Paul Theroux, the American novelist and travel writer.

The story is titled Adulterer's Luck.

The contents describe the story as involving a complicated relationship between a man, his wife and a young woman in Malaysia.

This is an interesting example of Theroux's magazine fiction from the 1970s.

Collectors of his published writing may particularly appreciate the original appearance of this story in a contemporary American magazine.

Bruce Williamson – Acting Beastly

Page 93 – Pictorial Essay

An illustrated essay by Bruce Williamson examining the work of actress Barbara Carrera.

The feature discusses performers who portrayed unusual or unconventional characters and includes references to the film The Island of Dr. Moreau.

It offers an interesting example of 1970s film journalism and entertainment photography.

July 1977 Playmate – Sondra Theodore

Page 108 – Baby Blue

The magazine's July Playmate of the Month is Sondra Theodore.

The contents describe her as a natural-born actress and introduce her through the feature titled Baby Blue.

The supplied photographs show part of a large-format colour pictorial spread featuring a blonde model reclining on a bed.

Photographic Presentation

The photographed spread uses a combination of:

• Soft interior lighting.

• Decorative patterned bedding.

• Pale cream and beige fabrics.

• Floral and geometric textile designs.

• Silver high-heeled footwear.

• Large colour images extending across facing pages.

The model is photographed in a relaxed interior setting, with the images arranged across the magazine's central fold.

One photograph shows the full spread from a distance, while another provides a closer view of the same pages.

The layout demonstrates the magazine's original large-format colour photography and 1970s editorial design.

Condition note: The photographed pictorial pages show some visible marks and wear around the central fold. Please refer to the supplied images.

Additional Editorial Features

The photographed contents pages confirm a wide selection of articles, regular departments and lifestyle features.

Music – Page 24

The music section includes coverage of Bonnie Raitt and Carmen McRae, alongside contemporary popular music commentary.

Movies – Page 28

Film coverage includes references to Woody Allen, Julie Christie, Peckinpah's work and The Island of Dr. Moreau.

Dining and Drinking – Page 36

A feature examining contemporary food and restaurant culture.

Books – Page 38

Literary coverage including a CIA-related novel, commentary on American scientific achievements and discussion of author Oriana Fallaci.

Playboy Advisor – Page 43

The magazine's regular advice column.

Playboy Sex Poll – Page 47

A survey feature credited to Howard Smith and Brian van der Horst.

Playboy Forum – Page 51

The magazine's regular discussion and correspondence section.

The Gays Pioneer – Page 98

An article by Arthur Bell examining developments within the gay community during the 1970s.

The Straights Follow – Page 99

A related article by Dan Rosen discussing changing social attitudes.

Look Good This Summer – Page 102

A fashion and lifestyle article by David Platt focusing on summer clothing.

Manhattan Pit Stop – Page 106

Fiction titled Stroker Ace, continuing the adventures of a fictional stock-car racer.

Playboy's Party Jokes – Page 120

A selection of humour and jokes.

The Commodities Market: You've Really Got to Be an Animal – Page 122

An article by Asa Baber examining the commodities market and trading culture.

Viva Tacos! – Page 126

A food article by Emanuel Greenberg exploring Mexican cuisine.

How to Buy an Island – Page 130

An article by Dan Carlinsky examining the possibility of purchasing a private island.

The New Girls of Porn – Page 133

An illustrated entertainment feature examining performers in the adult-film industry.

By the Numbers, Tan! – Page 146

A modern-living feature discussing tanning and summer appearance.

Dead or Alive? – Page 149

A quiz by Philip Nobile.

Epigrams – Page 151

A selection of classical epigrams attributed to Marcus Valerius Martialis.

Home, James. There's a Bogey at Four O'Clock! – Page 153

An article by Brock Yates about automotive technology.

A Lightly Handled History of Sex – Page 154

An illustrated humour feature by Arnold Roth.

Superclean! – Page 158

A modern-living feature examining showering and bathing.

Think Tank – Page 186

A selection of topical commentary covering contemporary American issues.

Playboy Potpourri – Page 202

Additional entertainment and lifestyle content.

Playboy on the Scene – Page 226

A regular section covering fashion, entertainment and contemporary trends.

Original 1970s Advertising

The supplied photographs show several original advertisements, providing an interesting record of American consumer culture during the late 1970s.

Smirnoff Advertisement

A large colour advertisement features a group of people standing outside a house during summer.

The photograph shows men and women wearing fashionable 1970s clothing, with several raising their arms in celebration.

The advertisement uses the slogan Summer prominently across the image.

A neighbouring page contains promotional text about Smirnoff and summertime social occasions.

The styling, clothing and photographic presentation reflect American advertising of the period.

Salem Cigarette Advertisement

One photographed page features a full-page advertisement for Salem cigarettes.

The advertisement shows a silver-haired man holding a cigarette packet.

The headline reads:

How come I enjoy smoking and you don't?

The advertisement promotes Salem King and Salem 100's cigarettes.

The image includes original product packaging, promotional text and a health warning.

This is a surviving example of American tobacco advertising from the 1970s.

Schlitz Beer Advertisement – Back Cover

The original back cover features a large colour advertisement for Schlitz beer.

The advertisement has a distinctive orange, yellow and cream colour scheme.

It shows a silhouetted figure outdoors, with a large bright circular background suggesting the summer sun.

A glass of beer appears towards the lower section.

The headline reads:

This time of year you don't ever want to be out of Schlitz. It's the one for sun.

The advertisement includes the original Schlitz branding and promotional text.

This is an interesting example of American beer advertising and graphic design from 1977.

Important – Missing Pages 169 and 170

This magazine is incomplete.

A printed notice is attached to the upper-right section of the front cover stating:

"FOR LEGAL REASONS PAGES 169 AND 170 HAVE BEEN REMOVED"

This notice is clearly visible in the main cover photograph.

The removal of these pages is an important part of the magazine's condition and must be considered before purchasing.

The notice itself is also a distinctive feature of this particular surviving copy.

The precise reason for the removal is not established by the supplied photographs.

No attempt has been made to replace the missing pages.

Please purchase on the understanding that pages 169 and 170 are absent.

Condition Report – Important

Condition: Pre-owned vintage magazine with substantial age-related wear, including cover creasing, spine damage, edge wear, discolouration and missing pages.

This magazine dates from July 1977 and shows clear signs of previous handling, storage and use.

It is not being sold as a mint, near-mint or complete collector-grade copy.

Front Cover

The front cover retains its original printed photograph and headlines.

However, visible imperfections include:

• Noticeable creasing across the cover.

• Rubbing and surface scratches.

• Wear along the upper and lower edges.

• Corner wear and minor bending.

• Age-related yellowing and discolouration.

• Surface marks and small scratches.

• Wear around the left-hand spine edge.

• Small tears and abrasions along the cover edges.

• Slight curling and unevenness around the corners.

• The printed missing-pages notice attached near the upper-right corner.

The cover remains recognisable and the original photograph is still clearly visible.

Spine and Binding

The spine shows particularly noticeable wear.

Visible imperfections include:

• Creasing and rubbing along the spine.

• Small tears and splits around the binding.

• Worn and weakened areas near the spine.

• Visible stress where the covers meet the pages.

• Some separation and looseness around the binding in the photographed areas.

One interior photograph shows a noticeable gap and exposed binding material between pages.

The magazine should therefore be handled carefully to avoid further damage.

Interior Pages

The photographed interior pages show signs of ageing and previous handling.

Visible imperfections include:

• Yellowing of the paper.

• Small marks and spots.

• Creasing near the page edges.

• Wear around the central folds.

• Some unevenness and curling.

• Minor corner wear.

• Visible stress around the binding.

• Some small tears or rough areas near the inner margins.

The contents pages remain readable.

The colour photographs retain their original printed images, although some areas show surface wear and marks.

Missing Pages

Pages 169 and 170 have been removed.

The magazine is incomplete.

Other pages have not been individually counted or verified from the supplied photographs.

Back Cover

The original Schlitz advertisement remains present.

Visible imperfections include:

• Noticeable creasing.

• Edge wear.

• Surface rubbing and scuffing.

• Small tears and abrasions.

• Worn corners.

• Age-related discolouration.

• A particularly noticeable damaged or torn area along the lower edge.

• Some bending and unevenness around the cover.

The back cover shows considerable handling wear but retains its original printed advertisement.

Overall Condition Assessment

A visibly worn and incomplete original vintage Playboy magazine from July 1977.

The most significant condition issues are the missing pages, worn spine and binding, cover creasing, edge damage and general age-related deterioration.

Despite these imperfections, the magazine retains a substantial selection of original editorial content, photography and period advertising.

It may be suitable for collectors who appreciate original vintage magazines and are comfortable with a copy showing noticeable wear and missing material.

Please study all supplied photographs carefully, as they form an essential part of the condition description.

Original Extras and Promotional Items

This listing is for the original magazine only.

Any loose gifts, promotional supplements, separate inserts, additional items or other extras that may originally have accompanied the magazine are no longer included.

Only the magazine shown in the photographs is being sold.

Please also remember that pages 169 and 170 have been removed.

Packaging and Delivery

United Kingdom Orders

The magazine will be carefully packaged and dispatched in a protective hardback envelope to help minimise bending and damage during transit.

International Orders

The magazine will be carefully packaged in a sturdy cardboard mailing-size box to provide additional protection during international delivery.

The photographs show the actual magazine being offered for sale.

Please read the full condition description, particularly the information about the missing pages and binding wear, before purchasing.

SKU: 1571