Ben Denison (American, 20th Century). Past Tense of Virgin, Playboy cartoon, First Issue, December 1953. Ink, wash, and ...

Description

Ben Denison (American, 20th Century)
Past Tense of Virgin, Playboy cartoon, First Issue, December 1953
Ink, wash, and gouache on board
11-3/4 x 9-1/2 inches (29.8 x 24.1 cm)
Signed lower left: Denison

From the Collection of Craig MacMillan

The present work is the first commissioned interior art work published for Playboy on page 9 of its debut issue, known as the "Marilyn Monroe" issue, and appears in The Playboy Cartoon Album #1 by Hugh Hefner (Playboy Press, 1963). Picked by Hefner himself to set the tone for the magazine, this the provocative and sophisticated witty image is one of the most historically significant cartoons in 20th century history.


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