Peter Steele Magazine Issues:
Collector's Price Guide

No direct quotes from bandmates (e.g., Kenny Hickey, Josh Silver, Johnny Kelly) on this topic in available sources.

Peter Steele, the frontman of Type O Negative (born January 4, 1962, died April 14, 2010), appeared nude in the August 1995 issue of Playgirl magazine, which has become the primary collectible magazine feature for fans and commands high prices, with recent eBay sales reaching nearly $800 and active listings up to $5,000.

Verified Facts and Details

• Publication Details: The August 1995 Playgirl issue (monthly publication) features Peter Steele in an *8-page fully nude layout, including a 2-page centerfold*. It shares cover billing with Keith Richards and includes articles like "10 Sexiest Rockers."
• Photographer and Style: Photographed by Frank Sepe, the spread presents Steele in *provocative, nude poses* highlighting his physique, described as his "Nude, Rude and HUGE DEBUT."
• Payment: Steele was paid *$2,000 for the photoshoot, as he revealed in a Metal Hammer* interview shortly before his death.
• Condition Notes from Sales: Collectors prioritize intact copies with the centerfold; examples include "really good condition, 8/10" ($500 sale) and "near mint" listings at $5,000.
• Other Editions: A *Playgirl "Anniversary Collector's Edition"* (titled "Our 100 Sexiest Men Ever") reprints or features Steele's images, marketed as featuring the "now deceased rock star... in all his glory."

Direct Quotes

• From Peter Steele (Metal Hammer interview, circa 2010): He discussed his music career and the photoshoot, confirming "$2,000 to pose nude for the magazine."

Historical Context and Timeline

Peter Steele's Playgirl feature occurred during Type O Negative's rising fame in the gothic metal scene post-Bloody Kisses (1993, Roadrunner Records), which peaked at No. 27 on the Billboard 200 with hits like "Black No. 1." The shoot aligned with 1995's October Rust promotion (released October 1996), showcasing Steele's 6'8" imposing image in a vulnerable, erotic context amid grunge and alt-metal dominance.

Timeline:

• August 1995: Playgirl issue released; Steele poses nude.
• 2010 (pre-April 14): Steele reflects on payment in Metal Hammer.
• Post-2010: Value surges after Steele's death from sepsis (linked to diverticulitis); he was 48.
• Recent (2020s): eBay sales: $500 (meer_salvage), $635 (Ben's Bear Den), $700 (redcoffin), $749.99 (oldstuffandmorestuff); active listings $613–$5,000.

This ties into Type O Negative's merch ecosystem, where Steele's image drove collectibles like posters from Dead Again (2007).

Interesting Lesser-Known Facts

• The layout is a complete 8-page spread, rarer than single-page features, making intact copies "a must-have for any collector."
• Shared cover with Keith Richards boosts dual appeal for rock memorabilia hunters.
• Lowest recent active price: $613.13; high-end "near mint" copies emphasize storage sleeves for preservation.
• Playgirl positioned it as Steele's "exclusive centerfold," tying into "10 Sexiest Rockers" alongside peers like those from Nirvana or Soundgarden eras.

Misconceptions to Correct

• Not solo cover: Often mislisted as Peter Steele-only; it co-features Keith Richards.
• No other major magazines: Searches yield no verified non-Playgirl centerfolds or covers (e.g., no Rolling Stone nudes); collector focus remains August 1995 original.
• Value variability: Prices aren't uniformly "thousands"—recent sales cluster $500–$800, with outliers.
• Death cause precision: Sepsis from diverticulitis, not just "health issues."