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: This site maintains a catalogue and marketplace specifically for collectors of "The Best of Mayfair" and similar newspaper-style publications. Quick Tips for Archiving Paper Magazines
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Unlike many of its contemporary rivals that relied heavily on syndicated American content, Mayfair was distinctively and proudly British. From its inception, the magazine sought to appeal to the "sophisticated British gentleman," blending high-quality glamour photography with sophisticated investigative journalism, political commentary, and original fiction.
Mayfair was launched in the mid‑1960s as a direct response to the arrival of American men’s magazines on British newsstands. Playboy and Penthouse had recently crossed the Atlantic, and a London publisher saw an opportunity to create a home‑grown competitor that would speak to British tastes while adopting much of the formula that had made those titles successful. This public link is valid for 7 days
Because Mayfair transitioned through distinct eras, certain volumes command premium prices on collectors' platforms. Archive Category Key Highlights & Volume Features Collectibility Rating
The record sale for a item occurred in 2023, when a complete, unopened "Collector's Pack" from December 1966 (including the original mailing envelope) sold for £2,200 at a London auction. Can’t copy the link right now
Mayfair was specifically banned in Ireland in 1968, a prohibition that remained in place until successfully appealed along with four other Paul Raymond titles on 21 November 2011. In New Zealand, a classification decision from 2007 described the magazine as “objectionable except if the availability of the publication is restricted to persons who have attained the age of 18 years,” noting that “children and young persons will be negatively affected by the sexually explicit nature of the material”.
To find physical paper copies for a personal archive, these marketplaces are the most reliable:
The Mayfair Magazine Archive preserves the legacy of the British men's lifestyle publication launched in 1966, which blended high-end journalism from figures like Graham Greene with iconic, "girl-next-door" glamour photography. Known for its 1960s-70s peak, the collection serves as a significant record of British social, fashion, and pop culture trends. Vintage issues from the publication's early decades remain highly sought after by collectors, with digital and physical archives tracking its evolution from a, "gentleman's magazine" into a staple of the adult entertainment industry.