Original hand-inked four-panel Peanuts daily comic strip, ink on artist’s cardstock, 27 x 6, August 16, 1966, signed vertically in the last panel, “Schulz.” In the strip, Snoopy, as World War I fighter ace, has been shot down behind enemy lines. Vowing to never be taken alive, Snoopy evades the enemy—in the person of Charlie Brown attempting to take him the vet—but surrenders as soon as Charlie Brown clips on the leash. On October 10th, 1965, Snoopy donned antiquated pilot’s goggles, and, laying a paw on his doghouse, exclaimed, “Here’s the World War I Flying Ace posing beside his ‘Sopwith Camel.’” So began one of the strip’s most popular and enduring story lines, which pitted the “flying ace” against his arch-enemy, the “Red Baron,” a reference to true-life German ace Manfred von Richthofen (1892–1918). Double matted and framed to an overall size of 34 x 12.5. One vague central vertical fold (evidently made by Schulz for mailing), otherwise fine, crisp, clean condition. As Snoopy’s “flying ace” character has long entered the canon of American popular culture—having inspired a hit song, toys and games, and a 2001 postage stamp—original Peanuts strips featuring this most beloved of Snoopy’s “personae” take a place among the most coveted examples of Schulz’s timeless art. R&R COA. Oversized..
