Playboy : The Art of Beauty, is an auction that features famous original and naughty illustrations from the pages of the magazine over the decades—a Playboy collector’s dream. Among the featured artists are Harvey Kurtzman (Fannie Annie in the first photo), Alberto Vargas, Phil Interlandi and Buck Brown.

When Hugh Hefner first launched Playboy Magazine in 1953, it stirred controversy, and still does today. Many on the religious right and extreme feminists are opposed to it. They see Hefner as a pervert who exploits women, rather than a man who truly takes delight in the female form.

Playboy Magazine has also caused many family feuds over the years between husbands and wives, and horrified moms when they found one or two stashed under the beds of their sons—that will not end any time soon.

Whether you love Playboy for eye candy or for the articles (yeah, right), it is here to stay. That said, enjoy the 18 Playboy stories below : “The 17 pieces of original art in this collection represent some of the most extraordinary artists that Playboy has showcased over the past half-century,” Baker said. “Through these works, these Playboy artists offer their vision of the enduring beauty of the quintessential girl next door.”

Hereis the best playboy magazine ideas (from trendhunter.com) :

Playboy As A Fashion Guide – Nick Adams in Fall Fashion Style Section :

Playboy is trying to become more relevant and has had a monthly Playboy Style feature for a couple years. Now they have added some star power – male variety – in the form of Nick Adams who was in Chorus…

Ironic Outrage – Anna Faris Plays Playboy Bunny, Humiliated Over Nude Scene

Today’s hottest internet buzz is about Anna Faris, the new star of “House Bunny”. Anna was publicly outraged this week when she had to break her no nudity clause to fulfill her role acting as a Playboy…

Naughty Olympic Scandals – German Athletes Nude for Playboy

Four female German athletes competing in the Beijing Olympics are searing news wires with their decisions to pose nude for Playboy. The German edition of the girlie magazine have just released their September…

Olympic Fashion Evolutions – Playboy’s Visual History of Women’s Swimwear

Playboy is proving that watching well-built Olympian women in swimwear has taken big steps backwards the past two Olympic games. When Speedo added its LZR Racer swimsuit this year, it covered up more skin…

Fascination With Normal? – Playboy Recruits From The Olive Garden

Seems that Playboy star Kendra Wilkinson has a thing for Olive Garden, and even a thing for the Girls of Olive Garden. So Hef’s girlfriend decided after “literally hundreds” Olive Garden bread sticks that…

Geeks in Playboy – “Hottest Female Bloggers” List

Playboy has chosen nine female bloggers to vote for in a new feature entitled, “Hottest Female Bloggers.” The list includes Boing Boing’s blonde co-editor, Xeni Jardin, San Francisco Chronicle columnist…

Fashion Bunny Ears – Raquel Zimmermann Channels Playboy for Hercules Magazine

The stunning Raquel Zimmermann channels Playboy bunnies and showgirls in a photo shoot for men’s magazine, Hercules. The styling of the shoot is reminiscent of the 70’s glamor, decadence and femme…

Condom Wearing Remotes – Playboy TV

I am not sure if this print ad for Playboy TV, which shows a TV remote control wearing a condom, does the TV channel any favors. I mean, we usually connect the use of condoms with two things: avoiding…

Sexy Mobile Branding – Playboy Phone: Alcatel OT-V770A

Alcatel unveiled several during CTIA Wireless 2008 in Las Vegas and one of the more popular with the men (really?) were its Playboy-branded handset ‘OT-V770A’ It comes in Gold, Pink, or Silver metallic…

Naughty Film for a Religious Festival? – Playboy TV for St Patricks Day

Nice to see Playboy TV supporting St Patrick’s day – a traditionally religious festival – by making their own film using strategically placed shamrocks. Not sure if this technically counts as porn but…

Burton Love Snowboard Series – A Playboy Burton Collaboration

Melt the snow with this collaboration between Burton and Playboy, who have joined forces to create the Burton Love Series snowboards that will hit the slopes at the end of 2008. These ‘love boards’ are…

Playboy Cigar Set – The Art of Combining Vices

This cigar set satisfies two vices in one fell swoop. It helps you do so and somehow lets you look suave in doing so. That is the magic of Hugh Hefner’s Playboy brand – a brand that has become synonymous…

Funded Hypocrisy – Formerly Embarassed Kyla Ebbert Now Posing for Playboy

Kyla Ebbert was the formerly embarrassed woman who was booted from Southwest Airlines for dressing too hot for takeoff. Recall that Kyla was suing Southwest Airlines, noting to the Today Show, “I was…

Consumer Driven Campaigns – Desperate Guys Seek Poolboy Jobs at Playboy Mansion

We have seen a number of consumer driven publicity events lately, where consumers create a blog or some sort of public spectacle in order to get the attention of a corporation. When these consumer driven…

Phone Sex – Playboy Will Run Previews On Mobile Phones

Playboy TV’s latest marketing strategy includes running softcore previews of their realty show ‘Double Entry’ on cell phones. Users who are unable to download streaming video won’t be left out – they’ll…

Playboy in Braille

Blind people enjoy pornography too. That’s what you’ll learn when you pick up a copy of Playboy in braille. Although, if you don’t know how to read braille, you won’t know the difference between an ad…

Magazine Cover Beach Towel – New Playboy Ad Campaign

Put yourself on the cover with the Playboy Beach Towel. The caption screams, “I can be the March Playmate,” which – of course – relates to a campaign to solicit new playmates. Regardless of whether or…

Tame Playboy Premiere sparks excitement in Muslim Indonesia

JAKARTA (Reuters) – Playboy magazine may no longer rate on the sexual cutting edge in some places, but the first edition in Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim nation, caused a stir Friday. ADVERTISEMENT… [More]