Playboy Magazine – March 1977 – Volume 24, Number 3 – Original Vintage US Edition

Original March 1977 issue of Playboy Magazine, Volume 24, Number 3, featuring a distinctive sunset-themed front cover, an interview with US Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, literary contributions from Henry Miller and Paul Theroux, an article by Nicholas von Hoffman, and original 1970s photography and advertising.

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

The magazine offers an extensive selection of journalism, political interviews, fiction, humour, entertainment coverage, lifestyle articles, photographic features and original period advertisements.

Particularly noteworthy are the contributions from internationally recognised writers, including Henry Miller, Paul Theroux and Nicholas von Hoffman, alongside a substantial interview with Senator Pat Moynihan and contemporary reporting on Jimmy Carter's presidency.

The publication is an interesting example of American popular culture during the late 1970s, capturing the politics, fashion, entertainment and social attitudes of the period.

Magazine Details

• Publication: Playboy – Entertainment for Men

• Publication Date: March 1977

• Volume: 24

• Issue Number: 3

• 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

• SKU: 1571

Front Cover – Original 1977 Photography

The front cover features a striking colour photograph of a blonde model standing in shallow water against a vivid orange sunset.

The photograph uses the warm golden and reddish tones characteristic of late-1970s fashion and lifestyle photography.

The model has long, loosely styled blonde hair and wears a dark, zip-front, long-sleeved swimsuit with contrasting red panels along the sleeves.

She is photographed standing with her hands resting on her hips, looking directly towards the camera.

A pair of swimming goggles is visible at her side.

The setting features water reflecting the sunset, producing a dramatic combination of orange, gold and dark brown tones.

The large yellow PLAYBOY masthead dominates the upper portion of the cover.

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

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

The photographed contents page identifies the cover model as Susan Kiger, Playboy's January 1977 Playmate of the Month.

The cover photograph is credited to Phillip Dixon.

Prominent Cover Headlines

The cover advertises several major articles:

Henry Miller, Paul Theroux, Nick von Hoffman

Three prominent literary and journalistic contributors featured in this issue.

Aspen Without the Snow Job

An examination of Aspen, Colorado, and its changing reputation.

On Location at a Porn Movie

A behind-the-scenes feature about the production of an adult film.

Carter, Playboy and the Media: The Behind-the-Scenes Story

An article examining the political and media response to Playboy's historic interview with Jimmy Carter.

A Revealing Interview: Senator Pat Moynihan

An extensive interview with American politician Daniel Patrick Moynihan.

Playboy Interview – Senator Pat Moynihan

Page 63 – Playboy Interview: Pat Moynihan

One of the major editorial features in this issue is an interview with Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan.

The contents describe the interview as a candid conversation with the newly elected senator from New York.

The feature covers Moynihan's impressions of several prominent American political figures, including:

• Richard Nixon

• John F. Kennedy

• Lyndon B. Johnson

• Gerald Ford

• Henry Kissinger

The interview also discusses New York City's financial difficulties and Moynihan's experience with the United Nations.

This is an interesting piece of contemporary American political journalism, published during the opening months of Jimmy Carter's presidency.

For collectors of political memorabilia, American history and vintage interviews, this is a particularly notable inclusion.

Henry Miller – The Firecracker vs. The Bomb

Page 127 – The Firecracker vs. The Bomb

A literary essay by Henry Miller, the influential American writer known for his unconventional literary style and cultural commentary.

The magazine describes the piece as an appeal for sanity and soulfulness.

Miller's contribution is an important part of the issue's literary content and may appeal to collectors interested in his published essays and magazine appearances.

Paul Theroux – Set of Two: Loser Wins and The Tennis Court

Page 114 – Fiction

A short fictional work by Paul Theroux, the American novelist and travel writer.

The contents describe the contribution as a brace of Malaysian tales by the author of The Great Railway Bazaar.

The feature is particularly interesting for readers who collect Theroux's early published writing and original magazine fiction.

Nicholas von Hoffman – Let Them Eat Sodium Stearoyl-2-Lactylate

Page 98 – Article

A commentary article by journalist Nicholas von Hoffman.

The contents describe the piece as examining food for thought that may make readers uncomfortable about what they eat.

The feature reflects the magazine's interest in consumer issues, food production and contemporary social criticism.

Jimmy Carter and the Media

Page 139 – Jimmy Carter and Us

An editor's notebook by G. Barry Golson.

The article provides an account of the reactions, controversy and media attention surrounding Playboy's interview with Jimmy Carter.

This is especially interesting as the issue was published shortly after Carter became President of the United States in January 1977.

The article provides contemporary commentary on the relationship between American politics, journalism and popular media.

Rocky Mountain Hype – Aspen, Colorado

Page 80 – Rocky Mountain Hype

An opinion article by D. Keith Mano.

The contents describe the feature as a revisionist examination of Aspen, Colorado, particularly its growing reputation as a fashionable destination.

A further response appears later in the magazine.

Page 182 – A Few Kind Words About Aspen

A response by Craig Vetter, offering a different perspective on the earlier article.

Together, the two pieces provide contrasting contemporary opinions about Aspen and its changing cultural identity during the 1970s.

Additional Editorial Features

The photographed contents pages confirm a substantial range of articles and regular departments.

Music

Page 24

The magazine's music section includes coverage of Tony Bennett and a review of the band performing at CBGB.

Dining and Drinking

Page 26

A lifestyle feature examining Philadelphia's culinary scene.

Television

Page 28

Television commentary covering Scenes from a Marriage and other contemporary programmes.

Movies

Page 30

Film coverage including Nickelodeon, King Kong and A Star Is Born.

Books

Page 38

Literary coverage featuring Dalton Trumbo, politics, baseball and rock music.

Selected Shorts

Page 40 – Alarmists Are Always Right

A humorous commentary by Jim Davidson.

Page 41 – How to Play Stuart Smigmon

A satirical article by Jon Margolis.

Playboy Advisor

Page 45

The magazine's regular advice section.

Playboy Sex Poll

Page 49

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

Playboy Forum

Page 53

A regular section featuring discussion and correspondence about contemporary social issues.

The Motel Tapes

Page 94

Part three of a fictional series by Mike McGrady.

Who Is Thomas Pynchon and Why Did He Take Off with My Wife?

Page 97

A memoir by Jules Siegel examining the reclusive American novelist Thomas Pynchon.

Going Hollywood

Page 117

An article by David Platt discussing developments in Hollywood.

Getting It Up for a Porn Movie

Page 123

An article by Ronan O'Casey examining the production of an adult film.

The United Steaks of America

Page 124

A food article by Emanuel Greenberg.

Clothes Make the Man

Page 129

A pictorial feature examining fashion and personal presentation.

The Flea Who Became a King

Page 137

A humorous literary feature.

Right Track

Page 146

A modern-living article examining a converted railway carriage used as a luxury residential or leisure space.

Portrait of Dick Clark as an Eternally Young Deejay

Page 151

A profile by Jon Carroll examining television personality Dick Clark and the continuing success of American Bandstand.

The article coincides with the programme's 25th anniversary.

Playboy Potpourri

Page 198

A selection of additional entertainment and lifestyle material.

Playboy on the Scene

Page 209

A regular section covering fashion, culture and contemporary trends.

March 1977 Playmate – Susan Kiger

The photographed contents pages identify Susan Kiger as the magazine's January 1977 Playmate and cover model.

The issue also contains the March 1977 Playmate of the Month feature, identified in the supplied photographs by the heading:

Miss March – Playboy's Playmate of the Month

A photographed interior spread shows a large-format colour pictorial.

The images use soft golden lighting, pale bedding and warm interior tones.

The layout extends across multiple pages, with the model photographed in a relaxed bedroom setting.

The right-hand section features decorative lace and floral elements, while the upper heading identifies the feature as the March Playmate pictorial.

The photographed spread demonstrates the magazine's large-format colour printing and original 1970s photographic presentation.

The identity of the March Playmate has not been independently verified from the supplied photographs.

Interior Design and Period Advertising

The photographs show several original interior pages, including the magazine's contents section and period advertising.

Contents Pages – Pages 4 and 5

The two-page contents section features a classic 1970s Playboy layout.

The magazine's title is printed prominently across the upper section of page 4 in dark green lettering.

The publication date and volume information appear directly beneath the masthead.

The contents are arranged in columns, with article titles, page numbers, authors and short descriptions.

Small photographic illustrations appear alongside selected articles.

The layout provides a detailed record of the issue's original editorial contents.

Sears Guardsman Tyres Advertisement

One photographed page features a full-page advertisement titled:

The Straight Talk Guide to Sears Lowest-Priced Guardsman Tires

The advertisement includes:

• Illustrations of different tyre styles.

• A tyre-buying guide.

• Original 1977 American pricing information.

• Product descriptions.

• Vehicle-size categories.

• Sears branding.

This is an interesting example of American automotive advertising and consumer pricing from the late 1970s.

Canadian Whisky Advertisement

The opposite page features part of a large colour whisky advertisement.

The visible section includes a glass of whisky, a warm yellow background and decorative graphic elements.

The advertisement reflects the bold photographic styling commonly used in 1970s magazine advertising.

Kool Cigarette Advertisement – Back Cover

The original back cover features a full-page Kool cigarette advertisement.

The advertisement depicts a scenic waterfall and forest landscape with two packs of Kool cigarettes positioned in the foreground.

The slogan reads:

Wherever cigarette smoke could bother someone?

The advertisement promotes the brand's lighter-tasting cigarette range and features the distinctive green-and-white Kool packaging.

This is an original example of American tobacco advertising from the 1970s.

The advertisement remains part of the magazine and may interest collectors of vintage advertising and graphic design.

Collectors' Interest

This original March 1977 edition may appeal to collectors interested in:

• Vintage Playboy magazines.

• Original American publications from the 1970s.

• Daniel Patrick Moynihan and American political history.

• Jimmy Carter's presidency.

• Henry Miller's published essays.

• Paul Theroux's early fiction.

• Nicholas von Hoffman's journalism.

• Dick Clark and American television history.

• Vintage magazine photography.

• Original 1970s American advertising.

• Classic automotive advertisements.

• Retro typography and editorial design.

The mixture of political interviews, literary contributions, contemporary entertainment reporting and original advertising makes this an interesting example of American magazine publishing from the period.

Condition Report – Important

Condition: Pre-owned vintage magazine, showing noticeable wear consistent with its age, including creasing, rubbing, edge wear, surface marks and discolouration.

This is an original magazine from March 1977 and is not being offered as a mint or near-mint copy.

Front Cover

The front cover retains its original colour photograph, masthead and printed headlines.

However, visible imperfections include:

• Rubbing and surface scratches across the cover.

• Noticeable wear along the upper edge.

• Small creases and abrasions around the corners.

• A slightly uneven and worn upper-left corner.

• General edge wear, particularly around the spine.

• Fine scratches and handling marks across the glossy surface.

• Light creasing and surface stress marks.

• Age-related discolouration.

• Wear and minor curling along the lower edge.

• Small marks and abrasions in the darker printed areas.

The cover remains visually attractive, with the original orange and yellow colours still prominent.

Spine and Binding

The spine shows signs of previous handling and storage.

Visible imperfections include:

• Rubbing along the spine.

• Creasing and surface stress.

• Wear around the upper and lower spine ends.

• Small areas of abrasion.

• Slight unevenness along the binding.

The photographed pages remain attached in the areas shown, although the magazine should be handled carefully because of its age.

Interior Pages

The photographed interior pages show general age-related wear.

Visible imperfections include:

• Yellowing and discolouration of the paper.

• Light creasing around page edges.

• Minor corner wear.

• Slight waviness and curvature.

• Some small surface marks.

• Wear around the central folds and binding.

• Occasional darker marks and small areas of discolouration.

The contents pages remain readable, and the photographed colour pages retain their original printed images.

The supplied photographs do not establish that every page has been individually inspected.

Back Cover

The original Kool cigarette advertisement is present.

Visible imperfections include:

• General age-related discolouration.

• Surface rubbing and light scuffing.

• Minor creasing.

• Wear along the edges.

• Some corner wear.

• Small marks and abrasions.

The back cover remains attached in the supplied photograph.

Overall Condition Assessment

A genuine, visibly used vintage magazine from 1977, retaining its original cover artwork, interior photography and period advertising.

The most noticeable imperfections are the worn cover edges, surface scuffing, spine wear and general paper ageing.

The magazine is suitable for a collector who appreciates original vintage publications and accepts normal age-related imperfections.

Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.

Original Extras and Promotional Items

Important: 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 publication are no longer included.

Only the magazine shown in the photographs is being sold.

Packaging and Delivery

United Kingdom Orders

The magazine will be carefully packaged and dispatched in a protective hardback envelope to help minimise the risk of bending or 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 magazine shown in the photographs is the actual item being offered.

Please read the full condition description and examine the photographs before purchasing.

SKU: 1571