Some are still being produced today, although many titles have gone out of business in recent years, mainly due to competition from the Internet. They were typically published monthly and had long publishing runs, some lasting several decades.
Magazines that were primarily distributed through mainstream newsstands and home-delivery subscriptions include the most well-known titles such as Playboy, Penthouse, Hustler, High Society, Club, Swank, Velvet, etc. The first major delineation depends on the type of distribution by which the magazine reached its consumers. This guide is intended to provide an introduction to the art and science of collecting vintage adult magazines, describing the different types of magazines and the major factors that contribute to their value and desirability. This has led to an increase in demand and an upward pricing trend, especially for more scarce and sought-after titles. Magazines, on the other hand, do not require any device to view and generally last longer and endure in better condition. Other types of tangible erotic media such as 8mm films, VHS tapes, and DVDs have more limited appeal considering that they are dependent on specific technology for viewing, and are therefore subject to obsolescence. Vintage adult magazines have emerged as a particularly collectible form of erotica in recent years.
