Description:

BOB GUCCIONE AND THE FOUNDING OF HIS "PENTHOUSE" EMPIRE
(1930 - 2010) Founder and publisher of the adult magazine Penthouse, which very succesfully competed with Hugh Hefner's Playboy. Important early grouping, including a ca. 1955 prototype cover for an adult magazine as conceptualized by Guccione. The cover, 6" x 7", is sketched in pencil and was apparently intended for publication in Italy, or at least to offer that impression. Titled "Il Nudo", it depicts a blurred nude woman within a teardrop, with credits in his hand beneath: "PHOTOGRAFIE di ROBERTO GUCCI ALBUM NO. 1". Also included is a printed form letter signed "Gucci" in blue ink, written under his pseudonym "Robert Gucci", 2pp. 4to., 41 Carmine St., New York, [Feb. 2, 1955], Guccione sends a snapshot of an obviously nude young model he claims to have painted while in Italy and describes how he could not capture her beauty with a paint brush. Using suggestive language, he describes how he photographed the lady, and hopes to sell more of her photos, along with those of: "other young, Italian girls". He continues, offering to send a grouping for his correspondent's approval. With the photo of "Carla", and return envelope as the letter was sent to a prisoner at Leavenworth and rejected by censors. Fine, from Guccione's estate. It was not until 2011 that it became known that the future porn mogul had started as an anonymous 25 year-old New Yorker mailing out candid snaps of naked models. The FBI revealed that he had actually been under investigation since 1956 for mailing "obscenity", and this likely led to the refusal to grant him a casino license. Fascinating.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Shipment is sent USPS priority, USPS International Express (for most overseas), DHL or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option, signature required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling, shipping and insurance charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyers should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. International shipments are invoiced by DIMENSIONAL weight, not the item weight. PLease contact us for an estimate before bidding NOTE: Large, heavy or bulky items are not shipped by the auctioneer - arrangements for shipping of these items via a third-party shipper may be arranged through the auction house. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee.

February 19, 2014 11:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 22.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $3,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000