🔎 Research: 39K Monroe Playboy
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█ A-Z // Fortune Finders 🔗 - [ i ]
Research Exercise: Discover the Hidden Value of a Rare Playboy Magazine
Objective: Use the research tools on the map under the collectible and showbiz categories to track this item's financial value across multiple venues over time. Examine how specific details in venue descriptions impact its collectible and cultural significance.
Background
On April 13, 2011, a rare Playboy magazine featuring Marilyn Monroe fetched a winning bid of $39,000 in a seven-day auction on eBay. The magazine was a first edition Playboy with a Certified Guaranty Company (CGC) rating of 9.4, placing it among the best-of-the-best in condition.
The edition was first published in December 1953, produced by Hugh Hefner in his Hyde Park kitchen in Chicago. The issue was undated, as Hefner was uncertain if there would be a second issue. Originally priced at 50¢, the magazine sold out in weeks with a reported circulation of 53,991.
Exercise Steps
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Locate or Verify Unique Details:
- Use the tools provided to research the significance of a CGC rating of 9.4. How does this condition grade impact the value of similar items?
- Verify the first edition publication history of Playboy and details of its undated issue and production in Hugh Hefner's Hyde Park kitchen.
- Use the tools provided to research the significance of a CGC rating of 9.4. How does this condition grade impact the value of similar items?
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Compare Similar Items and Impact Factors:
- Search for other first edition Playboy magazines featuring Marilyn Monroe sold at auction. Take note of the condition ratings, sale prices, and auction dates to see how these factors impact value over time.
- Investigate how CGC-rated items in top condition generally fare compared to lower-rated items. Consider factors like rarity and collector interest.
- Search for other first edition Playboy magazines featuring Marilyn Monroe sold at auction. Take note of the condition ratings, sale prices, and auction dates to see how these factors impact value over time.
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Identify Venues for Sales and Price Comparison:
- Locate other auction venues or online marketplaces that have sold similar first edition Playboy magazines. Look up completed listings, focusing on how the venue type (online vs. specialty auction house) might affect prices.
- Use search tools to find comparable magazine sales across various time periods, noting how price trends have shifted based on collectible demand.
- Locate other auction venues or online marketplaces that have sold similar first edition Playboy magazines. Look up completed listings, focusing on how the venue type (online vs. specialty auction house) might affect prices.
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Analyze Historical Context and Collectibility:
- Consider the cultural significance of this issue—Marilyn Monroe’s influence in the 1950s and how Hugh Hefner’s early decisions shaped Playboy as a collectible. Compare other issues with Marilyn Monroe on the cover and analyze if specific factors, such as celebrity status, impact collectibility.
Important Considerations
This example provides a high-level overview, followed by steps to guide your research process. Combining reading comprehension with hands-on exploration, it makes for a practical research exercise. Keep in mind that when specific details adding value to an item become widely known, they can sometimes be forged, impacting value assessments. As you complete each step, document your findings to compare prices, venues, and any unique features that add to the magazine’s value. For accurate evaluations, it’s always best to consult reputable specialists before making important buying or selling decisions.