Mo Willems: 1954 Charles Schulz Sunday "Peanuts" Comic Strip Art
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GUEST:
I got this with my wife on our paper anniversary. So that was 22 years ago. It was our first big purchase, it's a 1953 Sunday "Peanuts."
APPRAISER:
It's actually 1954.
GUEST:
Oh, '54! See, oh, there we go.
APPRAISER:
It's '54. It's a year later.
GUEST:
I made a... right, see, I'm trying to make it better.
APPRAISER:
Make it a little earlier.
GUEST:
Yeah. Yeah.
APPRAISER:
But still in the first four years of the strip.
GUEST:
Right.
APPRAISER:
Schulz's artwork progressed over the years. For example, you look at the early Snoopy, you wouldn't recognize him as the Snoopy they
had…
GUEST:
Right, exactly.
APPRAISER:
…in the '70s or '60s. This happens to be great, especially when you get Lucy involved. Lucy, Linus, Charlie Brown, and Snoopy are the real
key characters…
GUEST:
Right.
APPRAISER:
…that always get people's interest piqued.
GUEST:
The piece spoke to me and certainly it's a lot like the pigeon in "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus." She's having a temper tantrum.
APPRAISER:
Temper tantrum. I think what I loved about "Peanuts" growing up was I would try to draw them.
GUEST:
Yes.
APPRAISER:
I didn’t get very far.
GUEST:
(laughs)
APPRAISER:
Nowhere near like you. Charlie Brown's head never came out round.
GUEST:
Right.
APPRAISER:
But it seemed to be the kind of thing that kids were able to do. Values on the Sunday pages have gone up dramatically over the years. Do you remember what you paid for this strip when you bought it?
GUEST:
I...
APPRAISER:
Not that it's going to be the most important factor.
GUEST:
Well, no, and it isn't. I will tell you I spent a couple thousand dollars on this. Then I actually, I don't want to know. I'm gonna close my ears if you tell them what you think this is worth. I don't want to know.
APPRAISER:
Okay.
GUEST:
For me, it's eternal, and when I am done with it, it'll go to the Schulz Museum and be with the other cartoons.
APPRAISER:
When it comes to the Schulz Museum, I think it's important because they're trying to get as many as they can into their one facility and I think they'll be viewed there and not locked up in storage somewhere where people can't see them. And If you want to plug your ears.
GUEST:
All right. All right. Plugging my ears. Don't want to know.
APPRAISER:
If this was at auction today, I estimate at somewhere between $50,000 and $75,000. So you can unplug now.
GUEST:
All right.
APPRAISER:
And I'll continue just by saying that…
GUEST:
Yeah.
APPRAISER:
…that's a conservative estimate, and some of these have sold-- I'm not saying this one-- but there have been Sunday pages topping the $100,000 mark. I would certainly try to make sure it's included on an insurance policy.
GUEST:
Yes.
APPRAISER:
Use the $100,000 mark...
GUEST:
Okay.
APPRAISER:
...as an insurance value.
GUEST:
I'll do that.
APPRAISER:
It's a pleasure seeing this. It's fresh to the market. Hasn't been seen in how many years?
GUEST:
22 years.
APPRAISER:
22 years.
GUEST:
Thank you, Phil.
APPRAISER:
And again, thanks so much for having me. It was a pleasure. Really fun meeting you.
GUEST:
Great. It was a real joy.
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