Offered to find a new home is an absolutely unique Charles Schulz Snoopy item. You will find no other item like this one. If you are patriotic and you love Snoopy, you will love this. Back in 1955 a new air force unit was being formed in Maryland to do aerial surveillance. One serviceman (Richard Marlatt) wrote a letter to Charles Schulz asking him if he would design a Snoopy logo for the planes in his unit. Charles Schulz graciously replied with a snoopy drawing as "Old Aerial Ears." Along with the drawing Charles Schulz sent a full page handwritten signed letter discussing what he had created. In the end the drawing was not used on the planes as a logo but it was framed along with the letter and kept safe by Mr. Marlatt for 45 years. I acquired the drawing in an e-bay auction 25 years ago. My 43rd bid of $4,100 took the prize in year 2000 and I have enjoyed this unique and touching item since that time. I have kept this 70 year old item safely tucked away and out of the light for the 25 years in my possession. Now at age 81 it is time to pass this along to another Snoopy guardian.
The service man who requested and received the drawing and letter from Schulz sold it to me along with an extensive signed letter from himself validating its history and authenticity. In addition, just recently I have had two veteran appraisers evaluate the snoopy drawing and letter. They recommend in writing that it would probably sell on Heritage for $15K to at least $20K and perhaps a great deal beyond. Plus in addition I assume there would be a buyers premium of 20% or so which e-bay does not charge and this would add to that. In spirited bidding much more than $20k was mentioned by one appraiser. They both went "wild" over this item. I am slowly selling many items collected and acquired over the years, items that my children and grandchildren would not have a strong interest in--I have sold a few successfully through e-bay this year, so I decided to start with e-bay one last time for this sale. If this does not work I will go to Heritage.
The Snoopy insignia prototype measures (sight size of the drawing and paper exposed in the frame) 6 inches by 8.5 inches. The frame measures 9.5 inches by 12 inches. The letter is standard 8.5 inches by 11 inches.
Note: comment has been made that it is not signed. It was not signed because it was meant to be an insignia applied to government planes and uniforms, etc. with additional words and a title created and added by the servicemen. That is why he provided a signed letter instead to go along with it. Schulz was providing an image for the folks to use and would have wanted to keep it clean without his signature. The accompanied letter is his signature.
I know this letter and drawing is authentic from the paper trail that comes with it and other factors. To satisfy folks in general regarding authenticity I had it online authenticated by CEO Lead Authenticator Justin Seffman of AutograhCOA. You can look it up via autographcoa online Pre-Certification #PC388264. I will not ship this to anyone but the next owner. You can go online and see the details of this authenticity at autographcoa/cert/PC388264.
As an interesting aside, I had several communications with Jeannie Schulz (Charles Schulz widow) 25 years ago when I was considering donating the item to the Santa Rosa Schulz museum. She wanted the item for the museum, but no one would step up to provide an appraisal for my donation for tax purposes. With a busy life back then, I dropped the matter and kept the item. The e-mails with Jeanie I consider private but will be made available to the buyer--and to any potential bidder who shows very strong interest.
At age 81 I am downsizing and will not consder returns. I also only accept payment through PayPal. I will insure the item for shipping and pay Priority Mail shipping costs.
The pictures and especially the lighting are not the best and really don't do the item good justice. I only have a cell phone for this purpose and I apologize for that shortfall. The letter has browning but the Snoopy image and paper is mostly much lighter and much more less aged.
Hard to part with this Snoopy item (we have a Snoopy room upstairs), but it's time to pass it to a future Snoopy custodian.
Best to all, and may "Old Aerial Ears" avoid the Red Baron and fly off to a new good home
Chuck