A Collection of 1,000+ Photoplay magazines from the golden age of Hollywood to the 1970s. ...

Description

A Collection of 1,000+ Photoplay magazines from the golden age of Hollywood to the 1970s. A Collection of 1,000+ Photoplay magazines from the golden age of Hollywood to the 1970s. A massive collection of (1,000+) vintage Photoplay magazines spanning from 1936 through the mid-1970s. Photoplay was one of the first American movie fan magazines. Founded in Chicago in 1911, Photoplay began as a magazine of short fiction based on the plots and characters of feature films of the day. The magazine's popularity grew, fueled by the public's burgeoning interest in the private lives of celebrities, and by 1918 had amassed an estimated circulation of over 200,000. Photoplay became so influential in the entertainment industry that studios began to use the magazine as a promotional tool for their films. The magazine was originally known for its painted portraits of film stars on the cover, but with the advancement of color photography, by 1937, the magazine began featuring photographs of stars rather than illustrations. Photoplay published the writings of Hedda Hopper, Walter Winchell, Cal York, Rob Wagner and other known writers of the times. The magazine also featured health and beauty advice from "Sylvia of Hollywood", fitness guru to the stars. Through the '50s and '60s, the magazine evolved from a straight ahead glamour periodical into what could be considered the origins of sensational, celebrity tabloid media. The magazine ceased publication in 1980 and its staff were moved to Us magazine. This extensive collection includes magazines featuring the biggest stars of the day with frequent cover subjects such as Marilyn Monroe, Doris Day, Rock Hudson, Ava Gardner, Alan Ladd, Greer Garson, Lana Turner, Bing Crosby, Deanna Durbin, Elvis Presley, Esther Williams, Shirley Temple, Barbra Streisand, Natalie Wood and Robert Wagner, and many, many more. As the magazine run moves into the '50s and '60s, there is a heavy presence of The Lennon Sisters, Janet Leigh, JFK and Jackie Kennedy as well as many covers and much coverage dedicated to the love triangle of Debbie Reynolds, Eddie Fisher and Elizabeth Taylor. Throughout the '60s and '70s attention is focused on Sonny & Cher, John Travolta, Mia Farrow and an almost obsessive interest in Liz Taylor and Richard Burton's steamy romance(s). These graphic issues contain a wealth of unique photographs of stars in elegant portraits, day-to-day living, exotic travels and even some paparazzi shots. Issues include a large number of duplicates and all magazines range in condition from fair to very good with few loose covers and a small handful of reading copies with writing on the covers or coupons clipped. Interested bidders should make an appointment to view this lot in person. Special shipping arrangements will apply.

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