Snoopy the flying ace surrenders to Charlie Brown, and a trip to the vet, in a 1966 Peanuts strip that achieved $43,618, the auction's top result.
:After setting two auction records at R&R Enterprises earlier in 2007, original artwork from Charles Schulz's beloved
Peanuts
comic strip is still flying high at the New Hampshire auction firm.
Leading the company's sale of more than 1,500 lots that ended November 20 was an original 1966 daily strip featuring Snoopy in his first year as the "flying ace" that attained $43,618.
Lending credence to the notion that bigger is indeed sometimes better was an oversized Beatles photo at 12 by 15 inches, one of the largest known photos signed by all four members of the band, which brought $16,969.
A wide range of presidential and historical items included an archive of correspondence from Zionist leader Max Nordau to his lover Sara Hutzler at $13,269, a scarce signed photo of "Red Baron" Manfred von Richthofen, $12,650, and a historically significant Revolutionary War letter from signer and patriot John Penn, $10,453.
Bigger proved better for this 12-by-15-inch photo, one of the largest known images signed by all four Beatles, which brought $16,969.
Aviation and space standouts included Charles Lindbergh's 1954 Air Force ID card at $10,453, a photo signed by both Wright Brothers during their 1909 European tour, $9,391, and a letter of thanks to a NASA staffer signed by 14 Gemini astronauts, $5,899.
Robust results among notables in arts and letters included a letter from Voltaire mentioning the Genevese war at $11,191, a scarce signed photo of Tolstoy, $6,489; and a signed first edition of
Gone with the Wind
, $3,494.
Spirited bidding led to a strong showing in the music category, including a fine Gershwin autograph musical quote from "Rhapsody in Blue" that fetched $8,638, a Paul McCartney letter from an early Beatles engagement at the Star Club, $8,435, and an unpublished compositional sketch by Antonin Dvorák at $6,489.
Charles Lindbergh's 1954 Air Force ID card reached $10,453. The reverse bears the aviator's thumbprints.
Entertainment highlights included a Bruce Lee letter from his year of
Green Hornet
stardom at $7,223, a signed photo of Clark Gable in his Air Force uniform at $3,844 and a large example of Alfred Hitchcock's trademark profile sketch, $3,494.
Top performers in sports included a Mickey Mantle model Louisville Slugger signed by the Mick himself at $3,486 and a scarce check signed by Walter Johnson at $3,397.
All prices reported include the buyer's premium. For information,
www.rrauction.com
or 800-937-3880.
