Naturist & nudist magazines

Naturist/nudist magazines have existed almost since the beginning of modern naturism. The first European nudist magazine Gymnos appeared in print in 1921. ¹ https://www.imen4allmen.org/history-of-naturism It was followed soon after by the H & E – Health and  Efficiency in the UK  and Vivre d’Abord in France. ² History of Naturism

In the U.S. Ilsley Boone published the first nudist magazine The Nudist in 1939. The magazine generated controversy as it was widely distributed through newsstands. The magazine was renamed Sunshine and Health. ³ The History of Nudism

From 1959 and 1965 there was an explosion in the number of nudist magazines. A favourable US Supreme Court decision in 1958 meant the magazines were the only publications legally permitted to present full frontal nudity. This was due to the ascribed educational, cultural and scientific nature of the photographs. Many photographers visited nudist clubs and conventions to capture nudists enjoying their way of life.

Not all the consumers of the magazines were bona fide nudists. It seems a sizable segments of buyers were men seeking photos of naked women.

The nudist editors attempted to strike a balance between the non sexual philosophy  of nudism and the consumer interest. Subsequently the majority of  the naturist photography icons featured were women. ⁴ other memories … Nudist clubhouse Web Archive

It is fair to say that the girlie magazines that followed in the American publishing landscape owe their existence to the legal victories won by nudist magazines

Some national and international naturist organizations publish magazines for their members.

References

• 1
  https://www.imen4allmen.org/history-of-naturism
• 2
  History of Naturism
• 3
  The History of Nudism
• 4
  other memories … Nudist clubhouse Web Archive