When Playboy launched the first Playboy Club in Chicago on February 29, 1960, readers quickly began writing letters to the editors with questions and comments about the clubs. So many in fact, that editors began printing a newsletter insert in the magazine, titled “Playboy Club News” to update readers on club openings, events and new Bunnies that had entered the Playboy fold. After several years of printing the hit newsletter, Playboy launched VIP, “the magazine for Very Important Playboys,” for Playboy Club devotees.

The freshly-minted quarterly magazine, which was first published in February 1964—just four years after the first club opened its doors, expanded upon the Playboy newsletter and gave readers an inside look at everything that was happening at the Playboy Clubs. (At its peak, Playboy oversaw 40 properties in 25 states and seven countries). In addition to the usual club coverage, subscribers were treated to short stories and articles from notable writers like John Steinbeck, updates on new and notable keyholders, profiles of iconic Club performers like Dick Gregory—who was signed for a stint at the Playboy Club in Chicago, marking one of the first times a nightclub had been integrated in the United States—and spotlights on the Bunny of the Month (China Lee, the first Bunny of the Month, was also PLAYBOY’s August 1964 Playmate and the magazine’s first Asian American Playmate).

The spin-off magazine covered the ins and outs of the clubs for over a decade, keeping readers and Playboy Club keyholders—who received a free subscription—informed on local clubs and global clubs alike

In honor of our new Summer Collection, which features the VIP logo, we dug up some vintage summertime memories to spark inspiration for your own hot Playboy summer. Explore the gallery of authentic VIP scans below for some of our favorites, courtesy of the Playboy archives.