Peek Into the World of Playboy at the Beverly Center
The new Playboy exhibit hope to show audiences that the iconic brand was a force for social progress.
By Aliya Jasmine ••
Social Media Video: Playboy opened an exhibit in the Beverly Center to showcase historic never-before-seen memorabilia from the last six decades, pulled from Playboy’s archives. For more videos like this follow us @NBCLA
Playboy opened an exhibit in the Beverly Center to showcase historic never-before-seen memorabilia from the last six decades, pulled from Playboy's archives.
It's the first ever official Playboy exhibit to be presented by the famed enterprise in Los Angeles. The exhibit aims to show how Playboy has played a role in pushing boundaries of not just the obvious, but also gender equality, civil rights, and free speech.
"We think audiences are not only going to have fun, but we hope they’ll walk away with a new appreciation for the role Playboy has played in so many important cultural moments over the years," said Jared Dougherty, President, Licensing and Joint Ventures at Playboy Enterprises, in a news release.
If you've ever day-dreamed about seeing what the Playboy mansion is really like and wanted to understand the inner-workings of Hugh Hefner's business decisions, the exhibit is giving those curious the chance.
Abby Vesoulis
Julien's will auction items from the Hugh Hefner collection Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 2018.
Abby Vesoulis
Hugh Hefner's college typewriter with its case. It's a vintage Underwood Standard Portable Four Bank Keyboard typewriter, serial number 472072.
Julien's Auctions
A warranty label inside the case of Hugh Hefner's college typewriter reads "Hugh M. Hefner/ 1303 W. University Ave. Urbana."
NBC BAY AREA
A first edition of F. Scott Fitzgerald's "Great Gatsby."
Julien's Auctions
Hugh Hefner's cufflinks feature a Playboy logo with gemset eye.
Greenhat
A Monopoly game play set featuring several custom game pieces.
Julien's Auctions
Game pieces included in a Monopoly set up for auction from Hugh Hefner's collection. The pieces feature regular visitors to Hefner's Playboy mansion.
Julien's Auctions
A framed star and plaque in recognition of Hugh Hefner's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, unveiled in April 1980.
INAH
A custom black leather Jeff Hamilton Lakers motorcycle jacket with "Lakers" and "Playboy" logos and satin lining.
INAH
The jacket was designed by Jeff Hamilton and commissioned by Dr. Jerry Buss for Hugh Hefner's birthday.
Julien's Auctions
The jacket's interior silver patch reads, "This is a limited edition jacket designed by Jeff Hamilton and commissioned by Dr. Jerry Buss exclusively for Hugh Hefner's 77th Birthday/Jeff Hamilton/ April 9, 2003."
Julien's Auctions
One of the items featured in the auction of Hugh Hefner's collection.
Julien's Auctions
A vintage 1946 bubbler multi-selector coin-operated phonograph jukebox with 24 original 78 rpm record albums by artists such as Artie Shaw, Frank Sinata, Harry James, Johnny Mercer, Lena Horne and others.
Julien's Auctions
A Hugh Hefner smoking jacket with shawl collar and tie belt.
Julien's Auctions
A set of Hugh Hefner button front silk pajamas.
Julien's Auctions
A Hugh Hefner Asprey of London leather backgammon set. The case has a monogrammed silver plate on the side.
A deck of Playboy logo playing cards. The cards feature Playboy models.
Julien's Auctions
Hugh Hefner's personal copy of the first issue of Playboy magazine, featuring Marilyn Monroe on the cover.
Julien's Auctions
Inside Hugh Hefner's personal copy of the first issue of Playboy magazine, featuring Marilyn Monroe on the cover.
NBCConnecticut.com
An original Playboy Club key card -- actually, the original. It's marked VIP 1.
Julien's Auctions
The original Playboy Club key card issued to Hugh M. Hefner.
Julien's Auctions
Hugh Hefner's white hat with a nautical patch and black patent leather visor.
Julien's Auction
A carved briar pipe with Playboy Bunny logo.
Julien's Auctions
A 14K yellow gold 1980 "NBA World Champions" ring.
Julien's Auction
A U.S. passport issued May 26, 2016 to Hugh Marston Hefner.
"Freedom is Key: A Playboy Exhibition" is the first of its kind to pop-up in Los Angeles. It offers visitors an interactive experience, photo ops, and the ability to channel your inner Marilyn Monroe by posing for the cover of the magazine.
Local
Get Los Angeles's latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, COVID, cost of living and more. Here's your go-to source for today's LA news.
See the evolution of the Playboy Bunny, and a tasteful timeline of all the covers over the magazine's 65 years at the exhibit, located at 8500 Beverly Boulevard.
