Calling on that self-belief, that sense he was destined for bigger things, he started touting the “Penthouse” enterprise to London newspapers and trade publications. It was time to bootstrap the mag himself. If “Penthouse” hit the way he knew it would, he’d make enough to bankroll his art and give his family a more comfortable life. And though he was glad for the London Weekly gig (which was closer to his passions than his previous job, manager of a city dry-cleaning firm), it didn’t pay much, and he had a wife and three young children to support (with a fourth child, a daughter, back in California with his first wife Lilyann). At this stage, the future resident of a palatial double-townhouse Manhattan mansion, filled with Picassos, Renoirs, and Botticellis, was still dreaming of a life as a painter. Rarely lacking for confidence, Guccione, once possessed of an idea, was relentlessly driven to see it take shape. That’s how long he tried to get outside investors for his venture. Put out a mag like that - maybe call it “Penthouse” - and Guccione could imagine it flying off the shelves, collecting subscribers left and right.Įxcept for three years he was pretty much alone in his faith. The thriving English magazine market had room, he suspected, for a London-based publication taking a cue from this American men’s magazine. He’d managed to miss the ascent of Hugh Hefner’s Playboy magazine, which debuted in December 1953, back home.Īn idea-machine his entire life, Guccione saw an opportunity. Guccione had been living in London with his second wife, British cabaret singer Muriel Hudson, since 1960, and before that had spent much of his twenties wandering Europe and North Africa, painting, cartooning, sketching tourists, even playing some bit roles in Italian movies. The paper had published some of his cartoons and humor pieces and thought enough of his talents to take him on as editor.ĭiligently scouting London newsstands to see what papers and magazines were selling, he noticed a certain American publication featuring photographs of topless women, along with articles, interviews, fiction, and cartoons. It was the early sixties, and Bob Guccione - Brooklyn-born son of first-generation Sicilian-American parents, raised in suburban New Jersey - had recently been hired by a little-known weekly newspaper, the London American. His name was Robert Charles Joseph Edward Sabatini Guccione, and by the time his venture began to match his bold vision, he was on a fast track to becoming one of America’s richest men, with a taste for opulent living, priceless art, and beautiful women. More than 50 years ago, a struggling American painter living in London decided to compete with a popular American men’s magazine called Playboy. If you have ever enjoyed Penthouse Magazine you will love their site.The flamboyant publishing icon rose from a humble start to command a media empire. A membership also gives you access to archives of the past magazines, access to a digital version of the current magazine and, of course, plenty of photos and videos of the famous Penthouse pets. It retains the charm and fun of the original while also jumping onto the modern age and delivering some steamy, hot action. One scene that features a sexy ebony stripper working the pole then getting banged by a hung white guy is a perfect example of what the new Penthouse is all about. In addition to the more traditional nude photo shoots we were used to in the magazine we also get hardcore and lesbian scenes. Penthouse's website captures all the sex appeal and energy of the magazine, but brings it into the modern age with high res pictures and HD videos. The magazine still exists, but now it has gone digital with this amazing site. Mix in a few cartoons, jokes and articles and it was something that could satisfy you no matter what mood you were in. For many years Penthouse magazines entertained and turned us on with a mix of famous, well-known pornstars and unknown amateur girls. With the likely exception of Playboy, Penthouse is one of the most iconic names in porn.
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