Playboy: First Issue
The first playboy cover was issued in 1953, utilizing a previous photograph of Marilyn Monroe. While her she is on the cover, neither she, nor the photographer, Tom Kelley, received compensation from Playboy. Stories discuss Monroe posed for the photograph for $50 to make a car payment. The photograph was eventually sold to Western Lithograph and made its way to Hugh Hefner, who redistributed it for Playboy.
Within its publication, 50,000 copies were sold.
First Issued Playboy Cover with Marilyn Monroe's Photograph