Playboy Celebrates The Playboy Legacy Collection in Cannes

CANNES, France, May 18 /PRNewswire/ --

-- Pamela Anderson, James Blunt and Kid Rock Among Celebrity Guests --

Last night, Playboy partnered with International Images to showcase the consummate tribute to its rich history. To launch the Playboy Legacy Collection in Europe, an exclusive, invitation-only event was held in Cannes, attended by celebrities including Pamela Anderson, James Blunt and Kid Rock. Celebrating the Collection's inclusion of Pamela Anderson -- Playboy Playmate Miss October 1989, actress, sex symbol, glamour model, producer, TV personality, and author -- images of her, shot by world-renowned photographer David LaChapelle who was ranked among the top-ten "Most Important People in Photography" by American Photo, were auctioned with proceeds going to her charity of choice, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).

"I feel honoured to have two images of me, shot by David LaChapelle, featured at Cannes in the Playboy Legacy Collection," said Pamela Anderson, who has appeared on the cover of Playboy magazine a record-setting 12 times. "I attended the US launch of the Collection a few months ago in LA, and I am proud to support Hef, with whom I share a passion for animal rights. With proceeds of the auction from my images going to PETA, the collaboration combines two of my loves -- Playboy and animals."

The two images are part of "The Adventures of Pam" series, a surrealistic romp through the blonde superstar's life, including "Tool Time Girl" and "Cover Girl," where Pam lies across her magazine covers - she has appeared on the cover of Playboy more than any other woman -- "blending in with the mosaic of her fame and glory," said International Images Archivist Rasika Reichardt.

The Playboy Legacy Collection is a compilation of 48 gallery-quality images presented in three limited editions, along with a book, CDs, and other Playboy collectibles that pay tribute to the hugely influential magazine founded by Hugh Hefner in 1953. For more than half a century, the pages of Playboy magazine have showcased some of the most compelling and iconic photography of our time.

"The Playboy Legacy Collection is such a unique and special project," said Hugh M. Hefner, Playboy Editor-in-Chief, and Chief Creative Officer. "The compilation offers the most outstanding images from among the 15 million archived and is a real tribute to the visual history and impact of the magazine."

The photographs that comprise the Playboy Legacy Collection were selected for their potential investment value and artistic appeal; they capture the full range of Playboy photography, from the "girl next door" image of the 1950s to the bolder, more provocative Playmates of later years.

"The Playboy Legacy Collection is an incredible cross-section of the history of Playboy, hitting all of the high points, as well as images people aren't so familiar with that have a real visual impact," stated Gary Cole, Playboy Photo Editor.

The photographers represented in the collection include some of the most acclaimed of Playboy's contributors, including David LaChapelle, Tom Kelley, Arny Freytag, Stephen Wayda, and Guido Argentini, as well as celebrity lens-men Spike Lee and John Derek. The subjects of the photos range from Marilyn Monroe to Bettie Page to Ursula Andress, and many other celebrated and glamorous women of the last several decades.

"By partnering with International Images, experts in publishing limited-edition images, Playboy was able to create the most exclusive photography collection that we have ever produced: the Playboy Legacy Collection," said Aaron Baker, Playboy Curator. "The collection is more than just photographs; it is the total Playboy experience."

The Playboy Legacy Collection is available in several different formats. The ultimate package is the Gold Edition which includes:

-- 48 photographs housed in a hand-crafted, locking wooden box whose key is a replica of the original Playboy Club key. The images are museum- quality chromogenic (color) and gelatin silver (black and white) photographs (16x20 inches) and are printed by award-winning master printer, Michael Karman at A & I Photographic and Digital Laboratory. A famous nude Marilyn Monroe shot by Earl Moran is signed by Hugh Hefner. -- To put the photos in context, "Mutual Seduction," a coffee-table book, chronicles the history of Playboy photography with detailed descriptions of each image in the collection. -- Five CDs of music including some of Hefner's favorites. -- A DVD drawn from the classic 1960's television show "Playboy After Dark," in which Hefner interviews Tina Turner, Nat 'King' Cole, Lenny Bruce, and Ella Fitzgerald. -- A separate drawer containing an assortment of Playboy collectibles, plus two invitations to the Playboy Legacy Collection Weekend, a two- day event, that culminates in an exclusive party at the world-renowned Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles, entitled "Fantasy Becomes Reality," hosted by International Images.

The photographs are also available in three separate suites of sixteen prints, each suite chronicling a different era of Playboy photography.

The Gold Edition of the Playboy Legacy Collection has an opening price of US$65,000, while Suites I, II, and III are available for an opening price of US$8,500 each. The Fine Art Print Edition features each image in the Collection in larger gallery-size photographs (20x24 inches), printed by A&I, and limited to an edition of 75. Single lithographic prints are also available.

About International Images Plc:

International Images Plc works with some of the world's most talented photographers including Frank Worth, Michael Childers, John Stoddart, and Daniel Furon. International Images Plc is a British-owned media content group based in London, Los Angeles, and Munich, specializing in acquiring, publishing, and marketing distinctive, compelling, and historic photographic art. Collections are available through their website (http://www.internationalimages.com), galleries, and private dealers.

About Playboy Enterprises, Inc.

Playboy Enterprises is a brand-driven, international multimedia entertainment company that publishes editions of Playboy magazine around the world; operates television networks and distributes programming globally; owns Playboy.com, a leading men's lifestyle and entertainment web site; and licenses the Playboy trademark internationally for a range of consumer products and services.

Web site: http://www.playboy.com