However, another type of content features in a Kent auction this November: the cartoon.
One of Playboy’s longest serving cartoonists was Smilby (1927–2009) who contributed more than 350 full-page colour cartoons to the magazine that he started working with in 1960.
A portion of his collection, featuring his works from the 1950s-90s, is included at Catherine Southon’s upcoming fifth anniversary sale on November 1. Estimates range from £100-200 for most of the cartoons and up to £1000 for bigger works, original artwork, preparatory sketches and unpublished materials. A number of the books he used for inspiration are also offered.
“The quality of the drawings is simply stunning,” says Southon. “The colours of the Playboy drawings in particular are so bright and fresh. Although some of the themes are a little risqué the majority are very Carry on Camping.”
Smilby was a British commercial artist, born Francis Wilford-Smith. He studied at Camberwell School of Art after the Second World War and won a £100 Punch scholarship in 1951. During his career he contributed to many publications including Punch, The New Yorker, Men Only, Housewife and Sketch.
The second part of his collection is offered at Catherine Southon on December 6.
Playboy Magazine, which Hefner launched in 1953, took nude photographs mainstream and would expand to almost every media and continues today both in the US and more than 30 countries around the world.
