Playboy 1953

View Playboy cover 1954 or view Year 1953 events
The first centerfold was Marilyn Monroe, although the picture used originally was taken for a calendar rather than for Playboy.

Hefner chose what he deemed the "sexiest" image, a previously unused nude study of Marilyn stretched with an upraised arm on a red velvet background with closed eyes and mouth open.
The heavy promotion centered around Marilyn's nudity on the already-famous calendar, together with the teasers in marketing, made the new Playboy magazine a success.
The first issue sold out in weeks. Known circulation was 53,991.

Date	Cover model	Centerfold model
12-1953	Marilyn Monroe	Marilyn Monroe