Enormous vintage black crayon drawing of the earlier, “rounder,” Charlie Brown on a tan 17.75 x 22.75 sheet of newsprint, boldly signed at lower right, “Schulz.” Also included: An early [though undated] ALS from Schulz to an aspiring cartoonist, one page, 8.5 x 11, written in fountain pen and signed “Charles M. Schulz.” In full: “I can only suggest revamping your drawing style so that it is more in line with what is being published today in newspapers. Forget all about other forms of cartooning, and study only newspaper strips (there are a few good ones). Forget about your college background, and college ideas. They are funny only to your restricted audience. I admit that they are as good as any I’ve seen, but they just aren’t marketable. It would be a good idea, too, to open up your style a bit. Avoid these big feet, hand, etc. Refine your characters and stop using this meaningless black area in each of your backgrounds. Please don’t feel that I am being too hard on you. If you are really interested in being a cartoonist, I will be glad to help you in what way I can. I appreciated that you would even regard me as being worthy of giving advice. Best wishes for your success….” The letter is in good to very good condition, with light allover staining to background from glue on reverse, mild toning and soiling, and staple holes. The drawing is fair, with allover toning typical of newsprint, chips, large losses to right margin (not affecting image or signature), tears (several, including a few to image area, tape-repaired from reverse), and soiling and staining touching top portion of head and (lightly) signature. The image and signature are mostly unaffected, and, with creative matting or expert restoration, will display most strikingly. Schulz drawings of this size (let alone of this early vintage) are virtually unheard of, while the detailed cartooning-related content of the letter is quite exceptional. R&R COA.
