Hef's Pipe
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If that is the Julien's auction, there was actually one pipe in that auction. It wasn't a true Hef pipe. It was a playboy pipe with the bunny on the stem. It was a real pipe, but it wasn't a high end Dunhill or Barling or whatnot.
Not sure what it went for. His estate was fun to look through, but it wasn't as entertaining as Jerry Lewis' estate a few months ago.
Not sure what it went for. His estate was fun to look through, but it wasn't as entertaining as Jerry Lewis' estate a few months ago.
Actually, lots of guys like showing off the Playboy Bunny pipe. There were quite a few of them. The one sold was definitely not unique and worth what it went for. I know very little, but there are a few guys who study and/or collect these pipes and related paraphernalia.
That detail would not have been covered here. I hear that there were lines of Playboy pipes made to sell to collectors, and this is just one of those. He smoked much better pipes on a regular basis.
My understanding is the "bunny" was sterling, inlaid. Also, it was not one of the "for retail" pipes. It was/is a pipe personally associated with Hefner. Whether he smoked it or not, I don't know. I do know he had pipes he gave to friends, associates and "hangers on." Again, nothing you nor I could purchase.
My information is second hand, but from a man who owns a bunny pipe. I don't ask financial details in such things, but he found this listing funny.
Why would anyone pay high dollars for the effects of a prune whose claim to fame post-Playboy was hanging on the arm of a female youth. Definitely old news. Some years ago I read his comment that everyone just thinks of the sex in his homes when in fact the point was friendship. What a line, the women wouldn't have been there had he wanted more no more than friendship. I imagine he had plenty of friends, especially given his Beverly Hills lifestyle.
A lot of great and not so great authors, more than one or two cartoonists, and others would argue that Hefner was a truly altruistic individual. And say what you will, a self-made man with a vision whosuccessfully spread his philosophy around the world. And, he knew ..."sex sells." I suspect he learned that rubbing shoulders with his fellow infantrymen during WWII and drawing cartoons for his barracks mates and Army newspapers. The man knew marketing!
Like him or not, he indeed lived the "American dream." Wildly successful in most of his endeavors, he became rich by allowing many to live vicariously, made Shel Silverstein and many other writers, singers, artists, etc. household names. And he did it on a few borrowed dollars, focus and personal effort. He seemed to understand man's baser instincts and man's drive to improve. He catered to both sides of the animal and, apparently did it fairly well.
His morals may leave a lot to be desired to some but, his initiative and drive, understanding of what people wanted, giving print space (paying well) to unknowns, leave a slightly tainted legacy which I admire in more respects than one. Going out at ninety while still living one's life on one's own terms ... there are worse ways to go.
Like him or not, he indeed lived the "American dream." Wildly successful in most of his endeavors, he became rich by allowing many to live vicariously, made Shel Silverstein and many other writers, singers, artists, etc. household names. And he did it on a few borrowed dollars, focus and personal effort. He seemed to understand man's baser instincts and man's drive to improve. He catered to both sides of the animal and, apparently did it fairly well.
His morals may leave a lot to be desired to some but, his initiative and drive, understanding of what people wanted, giving print space (paying well) to unknowns, leave a slightly tainted legacy which I admire in more respects than one. Going out at ninety while still living one's life on one's own terms ... there are worse ways to go.
Warren's post reminded me of the one thing I was curious about in that auction: a 50 year anniversary copy of Fahrenheit 451 signed to Hef by Ray Bradbury. That would have been cool. There was a first edition of something like Gatsby or whatever, but I knew that would go super high.
He was a rich, dirty old pervert... whom I endeavor to be more like everyday! :twisted:
Please do misunderstand me. I was merely trying to point out that people are always multi-faceted. (The neighbor observing that the guy next door was always quiet and helpful when, in fact, he was actually a serial rapists. That one always tickles my amusement.) I'm not a fan of compartmentalizing people based merely on what we learn from the media. No one person is all good or bad. And, all we usually have to base our opinion on of people we do not know personally is writings, usually biased, or other media, which usually have an agenda. One can read either of two well respected biographies of General MacArthur and arrive at two distinctly different conclusions with regard to who he was and what he believed. The only agreement is that he was a war hero (WWI), tough to supervise, with extreme loyalty to his subordinates and his beloved country.
Hefner appeared to love well written prose, fine wines and great looking women. I can find fault with none of the three as personal preferences. That he found a way to make money from this and surround himself with only people he liked or admired is, I think, admirable.
Did he live the life of a hedonist? Yes. Would I want to live such a life? For a few week I suppose. Mostly I'd find it boring. I would love to have had some of his genius for understanding humanity and making money from that understanding. But, I was more interested in close contact with human conflict. Give me my siren and red-light and, I was indeed a happy camper.
No gotcha intended! For that I apologize and plead poor writing skills, an inability to frame my thoughts clearly and concisely.
Hefner appeared to love well written prose, fine wines and great looking women. I can find fault with none of the three as personal preferences. That he found a way to make money from this and surround himself with only people he liked or admired is, I think, admirable.
Did he live the life of a hedonist? Yes. Would I want to live such a life? For a few week I suppose. Mostly I'd find it boring. I would love to have had some of his genius for understanding humanity and making money from that understanding. But, I was more interested in close contact with human conflict. Give me my siren and red-light and, I was indeed a happy camper.
No gotcha intended! For that I apologize and plead poor writing skills, an inability to frame my thoughts clearly and concisely.
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