The first set, which features every issue from the 1950s and 1960s, will hit stores in October 2007 with additional sets slated for a 2008 release.
Playboy partnered with Bondi Digital Publishing to deliver all the original Playboy content onto DVD. The digital archive will contain articles, interviews, cartoons, photographs and advertisements as they appeared in the original print editions.
“This digital archive is a first in the mass-consumer magazine and men’s category,” said Hugh M. Hefner, Playboy founder, editor-in-chief and chief creative officer. “Playboy magazine has a tremendous legacy. With our loyal readership, which has always shown a real interest in our archival issues, we knew this would be the perfect opportunity to offer Playboy fans what they have wanted for years.”
In order to bring the digital editions of Playboy to life, Bondi Digital Publishing will scan and re-type all 636 issues of Playboy (a total of 115,880 pages and more than 93,000 photographs). The DVDs allows for fans to browse, search, organize and read every digital replica of the magazine.
“Bondi is excited to partner with one of the most iconic brands in the world,” Bondi co-founder David Anthony said. “The magazine has been an incredibly influential part of America’s cultural landscape for more than 50 years. These box sets will offer a whole new way to explore the rich history and unique perspective of the magazine.”
Each box set will come with a 200-page companion book with never-before-seen photographs and correspondences, a Playboy timeline and highlights of selected pages from the magazine. Retail price is $100.
