Lot 141

LeRoy Neiman Original "Femlin" Art for March 1961 Issue of Playboy

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LeRoy Neiman Original "Femlin" Art for March 1961 Issue of Playboy

Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000

Starting Bid: $700

(0 Bids)

June 17, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
Wilton, CT, US

Description:

LeRoy Neiman
n.p., March 1961
LeRoy Neiman Original "Femlin" Art for March 1961 Issue of Playboy
Art

Original ink and watercolor illustration, "Femlin in a Wine Glass", by artist LeRoy Neiman (1921-2012). 1p on poster board, measuring 12.75" x 15.25", n.p., March 1961. Unsigned, mounted to a Playboy stamped and annotated manila board. This artwork appeared as one of three images featured on the "Party Jokes" page of the March 1961 issue, included with the illustration. Exhibits uneven toning and handling marks to board, with light corner bumping throughout. Intermittent soiling present to perimeter. Overall, very good.

Femlins were created by sports illustrator LeRoy Neiman in 1955 when Playboy's publisher/editor Hugh Heffner decided the Party Jokes page needed a visual element. The name is a portmanteau of "female" and "gremlin." They are portrayed as mischievous black and white female sprites, apparently 10 to 12 inches tall, wearing only opera gloves, stockings, and high-heeled shoes. They are usually drawn in two or three-panel vignettes, interacting with various life-sized items such as wine glass in the offered example.

Femlins have appeared on the Party Jokes page in every issue since their creation, and were featured on the magazine's cover numerous times, either as drawn by Neiman or in photographed tableaus of sculpted clay models. Neiman reportedly submitted two drawings of Femlin to Playboy every month for more than 50 years, working on the character late into his life before his death in 2012.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 12.75" x 15.25"
  • Medium: Art

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Bid Increments
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$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000