Charles Schulz Original Artwork

Seven original comic strips by Charles Schulz gross over $150,000 at three-session multi-estate sale held March 24-25 by Philip Weiss

“(Oceanside, N.Y.) – Seven original comic strips by the renowned cartoonist Charles Schulz sold for a combined $152,550 at a three-session, weekend multi-estate sale held March 24-25 by Philip Weiss Auctions. The strips included a Sunday “Peanuts” page from 1963 that alone realized $37,000; three “Li’l Folks” strips; and four “Peanuts” dailies. Prices quoted include a 13% buyer’s premium.

“This was a monster sale for us, in all three sessions,” said Philip Weiss of Philip Weiss Auctions. “Saturday afternoon saw over 800 lots of fresh-to-the-market stamps and coins sold. Saturday night featured estate items from Chicago and New York, with nearly 400 pieces of artwork, period furniture, art glass and other merchandise. Sunday was dedicated to comics and animation art.”

Other highlights from the Saturday afternoon session included:

Ancient coins did well, as expected. A French gold coin struck circa 633-635 AD – the Gold Triens of Marseilles, from the Merovingians region of France – surged past its high estimate of $800 to sell for $2,145; and an ancient Greek coin – the Archaic Tetradrachm, struck in Athens circa 560-490 BC and featuring the head of Athena in a crested helmet on the reverse side – fetched $3,320.

Other top achievers of the day included a 1909 Barber half-dollar, PCI graded PR65 ($2,680); a single lot comprising about 1,300 stamps, to include 232 mint blocks of four, a C18 plate block of six, Columbians in quantities, and U.S. $2 presidential used plate blocks of four, all sold as-is, with a high catalog value ($7,625); and an erotic Meerschaum pipe, in case, circa 1920s/’30s ($2,360).

Saturday night was devoted in large part to estate merchandise and fine art. The top lot was a fabulous two-piece Herter Brothers bedroom set, comprising a bed and dresser. Hand-made around the 1920s, the suite gaveled for $22,600. “The quality and craftsmanship of these pieces spoke for themselves,” Mr. Weiss remarked. “They were truly beautiful.”

Artwork dominated the evening’s proceedings. A bronze bust by the French sculptor Eugene Emile Herbert (1828-1893), 25” tall and titled “Winged Woman on a Warrior” (circa 1890), soared to $10,735. Herbert was a Romanticist, noted for his blending of historical detail with fantasy. This piece, of Semiramis, an Assynan queen of the 13th century, was well suited to his talents.

An oil-on-canvas painting by the Russian-born American artist William Samuel Schwartz (1896-1977), titled “Spreading Chestnut” and signed by the artist in the lower left, realized $15,820. The painting had never before been offered at auction, and was purchased directly by the consignor from the artist. Mr. Schwartz studied at the Vilna Art School in Russia and the Art Institute of Chicago.

An original oil-on-gesso panel titled “Alleyway” by the American realist painter Aaron Bohrod (1907-1992) hammered for $15,325. Like the Schwartz piece, this work had never been previously offered at auction and was purchased directly from the artist. Bohrod’s price and return address were listed verso. The artist was known for a range of work, mostly in watercolor and gouache.

A large oil-on-canvas painting by the noted British artist Sir Alfred East (1844-1913), titled “Amberly Bridge,” sold for $10,170. Mr. East was born in Northamptonshire, England, and studied at the Glasgow School of Art. His romantic landscapes show the influence of the Barbizon school. His book, “The Art of Landscape Painting in Oil Colour,” was published in 1906. He was knighted in 1910.

In highlights from the Sunday session:

The original Schulz comics were the day’s top lots. The “Peanuts” Sunday page, dated 2-10-63, measured 17”x24” and showed Lucy and Violet heaping abuse on poor, downtrodden Charlie Brown. The next top lot was a “Peanuts” daily strip dated 2-11-64. It garnered $21,700. The comic featured Linus and Snoopy, in a humane society gag. The end panel showed a grinning Snoopy.

A large animation cel from the classic Walt Disney film, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” changed hands for $8,475. The cel – measuring 6-1/2” high – was inscribed and signed in the matte by Disney himself, “All best wishes, Walt Disney.” It had been a gift to the consignor’s family and was featured in the PBS series “Antiques Roadshow” (on which Mr. Weiss is often an appraiser).

A complete, 50-card set of Mecca boxing cards from 1910 and featuring some of the better known pugilists of the day (John L. Sullivan, ‘Gentleman Jim’ Corbett, etc.), was a knockout at $3,390. Usually, when cards of this type and age come on the market, they are in a low-grade condition. But not these. “I’d say they are well worth breaking down for grading purposes,” Mr. Weiss observed.

Philip Weiss Auctions already has blockbuster events lined up for the next three months. First, on Saturday, April 28th, beginning at 10 am, a sale dedicated to toys, trains, dolls and toy soldiers will be held. A preview will be held Thursday and Friday. Consignments are still being accepted, so watch the website for more information and details: www.philiweissauctions.com.

Then, in May, on a date yet to be determined, Philip Weiss Auctions will conduct Part 2 of the Ken Schultz estate. Mr. Schultz was a dedicated collector in three areas – World’s fair items, oceanliner art and memorabilia, and Hollywood memorabilia. The day will also feature the large and impressive circus collection of Hugo Zeitler. Hundreds of lots will be sold, all in one day.

And finally, on June 9-10, a massive two-day sale, featuring Civil War items (including a flag from the Confederate battleship the CSS Alabama); and more items from an estate collection of hand prints (including another example by Babe Ruth, two by teammate Lou Gehrig, three by baseball legend Connie Mack and one by golf hero Bobby Jones).

The June weekend event will also feature more highly desirable Charles Schulz original comic strips (including a “Great Pumpkin” daily and a Sunday “Peanuts” strip); photographs, many of them signed, by noted photographers like George Hurrell, Yousuf Karsh and Clarence Bull); and many pieces of fine estate merchandise, to include Pairpoint lamps and examples of Meissen and Dresden.

Philip Weiss Auctions is one of the premier auction houses in the Northeast. To learn more about their upcoming sales, or for more information about the company, you may visit them online at www.philiweissauctions.com. To consign an item, estate or collection, you can call them directly at (516) 594-0731. The e-mail address is auction22@aol.com.