About This Stamp
This 2001 stamp pane commemorates the comic strip "Peanuts," which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2000. Drawn by Charles M. Schulz (1922–2000), "Peanuts" began in syndication on October 2, 1950. The installment published on Sunday, February 13, 2000, was the last original comic strip by Schulz, who died the previous day. "Peanuts" appears in some 2,600 newspapers in 75 countries and is translated into 21 languages.
"Peanuts" focuses on the anxieties and joys of childhood as expressed by an ensemble cast of children who often seem wise beyond their years. Among them are the lovable Charlie Brown, who perseveres despite continuous failure; the philosophical, blanket-carrying Linus; the fussbudget Lucy, who dispenses psychological advice for a nickel from behind a concession stand; and toy-piano virtuoso Schroeder. Central to the comic strip is Charlie Brown’s dog, Snoopy, who first stood on his hind legs in 1958 and became extremely popular for his imaginative adventures as a number of characters — among them the World War I flying ace depicted on this stamp.
"Peanuts" inspired an off-Broadway play, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, in 1967, as well as numerous animated television specials. Several of these specials won Emmy Awards, including
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) and You’re a Good Sport, Charlie Brown (1975). Both A Charlie Brown Christmas and What Have We Learned, Charlie Brown? (1983)—a special about D day—won Peabody Awards. Animated theatrical films based on the comic strip include A Boy Named Charlie Brown (1969) and Snoopy, Come Home (1972).
On June 29, 2000, ground was broken at the future site of the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center in Santa Rosa, California. Scheduled to open in fall 2001, the museum will celebrate "Peanuts" and the inspirations and influences of its creator.
PEANUTS © United Feature Syndicate, Inc.
Stamp Art Director
Carl T. Herrman
As an art director for the U.S. Postal Service® for more than 15 years, Carl T. Herrman designed more than 50 stamps and guided more than 250 stamp projects, including Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Humphrey Bogart, and Comic Strip Classics. He also served as art director for five of the Celebrate the Century stamp panes. He has won more than 260 awards for design and design management, including two gold medals from the Society of Illustrators.
Herrman’s career has included positions as Director of Creative Services and adjunct professor at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, and Director of Marketing and Publications for the University of California at Irvine. He has provided consulting services for the Smithsonian Institution, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and numerous academic institutions. Herrman lives in Carlsbad,California.