Earlier this week, Hugh Hefner died at the age of 91, more than six decades after the magazine tycoon launched Playboy making money off a subject many found taboo.
Now, collectors around the world are considering cashing in their stash of copies with Hefner’s passing, including one from Saskatoon.
Barry Anderson’s collection spans across several tables at their seniors’ complex after bringing them down from his apartment.
READ MORE: Playboy going back to its roots, naked women again to be featured in magazine
He’s been admiring beautiful bunnies featured in the publication for 50 years and said he really did read the articles.
“One by one you buy the next month. Then and pretty soon you buy the whole next year,” Anderson said.
“So you always look forward to the 25th day of the month because you knew that’s when the next month’s Playboy came on the market,” he laughed.
WATCH: A lot of men claimed they only read Playboy for the articles. And that magazine – and its centrefolds – made Hugh Hefner a household name and a multi-millionaire. He died Wednesday night at the age of 91. And as Eric Sorensen reports, Hefner’s legacy is as controversial as his life.
At 24 years old, Anderson said he started collecting the lifestyle magazine for men after it launched 14 years prior in 1953.
“They had some really good articles pertinent to the Vietnam war and they had some really good writers.”
A hobby Anderson said was sparked after being invited to check out the Playboy Club in Detroit, Mich.
“I have over 400 editions dating from ’67 to the latest one September/October 2017.”
He and his wife have been together for close to 39 years.
When she married Barry, he brought his 11-year accumulation with him.
“I always say to him – when are you going to sell these?” Wendy Anderson joked.
READ MORE: The legacy of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner
Hugh Hefner, the ultimate playboy, was a scoundrel to some but for others he played an instrumental role in paving the way for the sexual revolution.
Since the news of his death, fans have flocked to his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and visited the ultimate bachelor pad known as the Playboy Mansion.
For Anderson, it might also finally be time to part ways with copies of the publication.
“It’s time for somebody else to enjoy it,” Anderson added.
All 400 magazines could fetch him more than $10,000. He has at least four of the top-10 valuable editions of all time including March 1980 which features Bo Derek.
Anderson, 74, said most of his are in mint condition but having raised four boys, a few have a little wear and tear.
“Well, you find them under mattresses especially when you changed the sheets on the bed,” laughed Wendy.
She said she won’t be sad to see them go, especially when they take up space in at least three different rooms.
“But not just because they’re Playboys – it’s clutter.”
The couple who likes to travel said once they sell them, they will take a trip on Playboy’s dime and with all things in life it’s not about the destination, it’s the journey to get there.