Established in 1973, Playgirl was the first magazine for women to focus on men. From celebrities, to models, to the guy next door, Playgirl has shown it all throughout its rich history. Playgirl: The Official History of a Cult Magazine is both a celebration and a lively trawl through magazine’s archives to mark its 50-year anniversary.

The book gathers historic articles, spreads, commentary, photography and artwork from the 1970s through to the present day.

More than just a pale imitation of Playboy, this was a groundbreaking magazine that became a major player at the dawn of women’s liberation, featuring stories on barrier-breaking women from across the globe, articles about reproductive health and interviews with feminist icons.

All this revolutionary material could be found nestled among the tasteful and erotic male nudes that the magazine was built on, leading Playgirl to resonate, too, with the significant gay male readership it maintains today.

This wide-reaching Playgirl compendium includes not only some of the most important and engaging archival materials from across the past five decades, but also a number of new essays about the publication’s origins, its role in the women’s liberation movement, and its contributions to pop culture at large.

Cernunnos, 240pp, 20cm x 25cm, illustrated hardcover, 2024