MALE NUDES: VIVA MAGAZINE SECOND ISSUE: SHEP MESSING

Los Angeles, CA: Viva Magazine/Penthouse Publishing, 1974. First Edition. First Printing.. Softcover. Fine/No Dust Jacket, As Issued.. Los Angeles, CA: Viva Magazine/Penthouse Publishing, 1974. Softcover. Fine/None, As Issued. First Edition/First Printing. 114 pages. Rare VIVA Magazine, Shep Messing, and Jim French collectible item. A fine copy of VIVA Magazine's December 1974 Issue. The Landmark Second Issue. The first and only edition. Published in a small and limited print run as a softcover original only that sold out upon publication. There is no ISBN. The Magazine Issue is now rare. Presents VIVA Magazine's Second Issue. The single most - perhaps, the only - collectible Issue of the short-lived magazine. That's because it features Shep Messing, the ruggedly handsome and sexy American football actor, in terrific full-frontal nudes, including a semi-erect shot. This was a rare coup for VIVA Magazine because Shep Messing was also coveted and sought after by Playgirl. But VIVA got to him first by paying him more, a lot more, reportedly $5000, which was an incredible sum and record for a male nude model at the time and as a matter of fact, even by today's standards. There was a very good reason for that: Shep Messing is probably known to and remembered mostly by older, mostly male football fans today. But in his time, he was it, one of the most celebrated and highest-paid athletes, who pioneered the celebrity endorsement of All-American brands. Appearing in VIVA was a radical and daring departure from his super-clean mainstream image that Messing cultivated but must have felt constrained by: That it was not who he really was. So it is surely ironic that he will probably be remembered for his equally pioneering VIVA exposure that most, if not all, athletes today would shy away from and shun. VIVA Magazine billed itself as "The International Magazine For Women", as if Vogue and Harper's Bazaar did not exist, in its abortive attempt to compete against Playgirl Magazine. As this Issue alone will show, it was actually superior to Playgirl in terms of design, production values, and editorial content, channeling its Penthouse Magazine legacy credentials. Perhaps it was too "classy" for its intended audience, women and gay men, who wanted their male nudes grittier instead of the glossy, Penthouse-inspired look that VIVA promoted. The Issue also has a magnificent "Beautiful Bodies" multi-page photospread by Jim French, which includes, coincidentally, a lovely nude image of Tony Stephano - he is NOT identified -, the Foxylady Magazine breakthrough model, among other beauties. An absolute "must-have" title for VIVA Magazine, Shep Messing, and Jim French collectors. This title is a classic erotic art photography Issue. This is one of very few copies still available online and despite its age, is in fine condition overall: Clean, crisp, and bright. It is the single most beautiful copy we have ever seen. Please note: Copies available online are in very poor condition. This is surely an accessible and lovely alternative. A rare copy thus. Lavishly illustrated with color plates. A fine copy. (SEE ALSO FOXYLADY AND PLAYGIRL MAGAZINE ISSUES IN OUR CATALOG).