Of all the astounding periodicals dreamed up in Lenny Burtman's fevered, fetid and fetishistic mind, the funniest was certainly Striparama. To think there was a day when "rama" wasn't ironic! Well, it was burlesquearama and boobarama in every issue of Striparama! There were several slightly more legitimate periodicals "uncovering" the burlesque industry, for example Cabaret, a true industry organ, and even Billboard, which covered the market extensively with reported grosses and industry trends. Lenny, I think, just wanted to print the boobs and reap the profit. At least he did a good job of it...which is why the magazine is collectible today, and why there seems to be a thriving business in reprinting the things in ebook form.
When the profit for Lenny dried-up, however...largely due to expensive printing, distribution costs and censorship battles, the empire was dispersed.
Some of Lenny's successful slicks were picked up by Health Knowledge, the folks behind some of those "physique" magazines featuring buff archers with bows in posing pouches which took coins from the closeted gay market before there was a real gay market. Others were adopted by mobster Reuben Sturman. Striparama was taken in and nurtured by Acme News Company, the forerunner of Health Knowledge. When Health Knowledge went broke, another sleaze, Myron Fass bought THEM out, or at least the skin titles.
Striparama, as you can certainly see, was certainly unique. Pictures of Selbee and Burmel regulars appear alongside publicity photos, planted press puff pieces and a considerable number of advertisements for OTHER Burtman stuff. TONS of it, and all from his interlocking industry of ill-repute.
