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| Hugh Hefner Playboy Bunny Needlepoint Tennis Racket Cover |
This needlepoint tennis racket cover was created by playboy bunny and girlfriend Barbi Benton for Hugh Hefner. It is marked “Tennis Anyone?/ HMH/ by Barbi.” It is circa 1970s. It sold at auction with a Spalding racket for $1,600.
Barbi Benton appeared on the cover of Playboy magazine four times between July of 1969 through December of 1985 in addition to two nude photo layouts in the December of 1973 and January of 1975 issues. When Hugh Hefner first asked Barbi out on a date, she reportedly demurred to the then 42 year old Hefner and said, “ I don’t know, I’ve never dated anyone over 24 before," to which Hefner replied, “That’s all right, neither have I.” She is credited with convincing Hugh Hefner to buy the Playboy Mansion in Holmby Hills in 1974.
