GLORIA STEINEM Hugh Hefner WILLIAM KLEIN Ford car COLIN McGUINNESS Town magazine

Town magazine was one of the greatest magazines in publishing history. It was a milestone in magazine design after it’s relaunch in 1962, and this magazine is from the period after that rebranding.  

This is a historically important issue as it contains sought after article by the 'Mrs America' feminist Gloria Steinem who - if you didn't know, brace yourselves - went undercover as a bunny girl in Hugh Hefner's Playboy Club! Read on..!

The cover is a cheeky portrait of a camel that was photographed by a certifiable photographic genius William Klein who contributes many images to a 16 page photo essay shot in Africa inside, along with a lot of colour photographs in what appear to be Kodachromes in lush tones. The photography is incredible a virtuosic masterclass. You can see some examples in our images. Klein and co report from the new frontiers of France's African empire in " South From Sahara".

The Bunny War - Gloria Steinem on the life of the girl in the middle of the battle between America's male glossies.  Gloria dons the bunny uniform and works undercover at the Playboy Club for two weeks.  Read her 6 page diary on Playboy with some great uncredited photography (see images) as well as a rare photo of Hugh Hefner by Robin Douglas Home.  

There is a fantastic 8 page car feature on the new Ford Corsair with some beautiful photography and design, the photographs are by Robert Hubbard and Douglas Armstrong, and include graphic portraits of the Ford designers (inc Fred Hart, Roy Brown and Alex Trotman) as well as wonderful action images of the car being put through its paces.

Men’s fashion editorial shot amongst the rooftops of London featuring iconic buildings such as St Pauls Church in the near background, by Hubbard, 5 pages.

Colin MacInnes writes ‘The Gentleman Farms - A guide to the grandeurs and miseries of English Public Schools’ 3 pages, illustrated with photos. Anthony Howard evaluates their positions in the prestige stakes. Mcinnes revalues the Old School Ties.

Illustrations by Roger Law.

Our descriptions are gushing but this really is an exceptional issue in terms of design and photography and very rare as it did not have a high print circulation at this time.

TOWN represents a wonderful look at life in the early 60s. The advertisements tell the story of a vibrant growing consumer market.

TOWN INCORPORATING TOPIC MAGAZINE