Parliament Adult Magazines: Los Angeles 1960s

The major force in the world of men's magazines in Los Angeles came in the form of Parliament Publications. Starting in 1960/61, influenced by the independent photographer and publisher Elmer Batters, Parliament started publishing as the American Art Agency. By 1963 the list of titles (published quarterly) had grown significantly and the dominance of Parliament in the field was established. Above, the Batters' influence, circa 1963, in the third issue of Tip Top ~ "from the tip of the toes to the top of the hose". A selection of Parliament titles will soon be available in my eBay store.

Pussycat eventually became an "all black" magazine

The "jaybird" series was primarily a collection of titles that pandered to the interest in nudism. The bibliography is extensive and one of the more unusual and sought after issues is Jaybird Journal #10 featuring Anton Le Vey, of the newly formed Church of Satan, on the cover.

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John Willie's Bizarre: Magazines + Original Photographs 1960s

Original photographs by John Willie from the final few years of his life in Los Angeles and issues of Bizarre, his legendary magazine first published in Canada, 1946. Original Willie photographs and magazines available for sale, email for details.

Magazine published in Los Angeles 1980s featuring a collection of 
John Willie photographs

Set of rubber stamps after John Willie illustrations by Parisian artist, Sardon

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ELMER BATTERS Parliament Publications L.A. 1960s

When Los Angeles got into the men's magazine game the publishers and photographers never looked back. Let's say for argument's sake that the full size, adult bookstore type (no advertising, restricted to non-newsstand sales to 18 and over) began with the very late 1950s precursors to the Parliament publications. That included many small publishers that didn't make it past the first issue(s). Elmer Batters, the self-publishing photographer, did succeed and out of his success grew the American Art Agency magazines, which in 1961/62 morphed into the first magazines published by Parliament. Here are some of the early titles and issues they published, most with contributions by Batters who remained their go-to photographer for about five years.

The Parliament publications were of top quality with great photographers and design as well as excellent production and printing standards. The nude female figure was obviously the selling point, however in the ensuing years, especially amongst collectors, Parliament's magazines became synonymous with seductive models in lingerie, garter belts, stockings and high heels. 

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