Above is a National Police Gazette published in May 1972 with cover star Mara Lane, and it’s really too bad we can’t the post the pages at a readable size, because some of the articles are fascinating. First, Hitler turns up again in a story that proves conspiracy theories have always been with us. Then Gazette editors discuss Hank Aaron possibly falling short of Babe Ruth’s home run record by harping on the likelihood of injuries. That’s standard sports reporting, but it’s interesting how specific they get: But what would happen if Aaron were to be hurt—to suffer a beaning or a fractured leg? Considering the Gazette’s customer demographic, we have to wonder whether this is reporting or wishful thinking. But our favorite story here concerns women who sell their bodies for bingo. Because a woman can really, you know, burn through her finances buying those paper bingo sheets. And then when she’s broke presumably she sidles up to some handy male and whispers in his ear, “It’s strange, but whenever O-69 comes up the craziest idea pops into my head.” Sound farfetched? Then you don’t know bingo, friends. We’re talking about an activity that involves something called a ball blower. Look it up.
