Deep Dive into Peanuts Press Releases and News Article Photos
Collecting Peanuts press releases has become one of my favorite ways to learn more about the history behind Snoopy and the Peanuts characters. These press releases were created for members of the media, giving them official information and photographs they could use when covering television specials, events, and promotions. Some of my favorites include a 1965 CBS press release for A Charlie Brown Christmas, along with later examples from 1978 and 1991 that show how promotional materials evolved over the years. Since these items were never intended for the general public, they can be challenging to find and are an interesting piece of Peanuts ephemera for collectors.
I also added several unusual historical press photos to my collection that tell stories beyond the television specials. One of the highlights is a 1971 “Keep the Kingdom Clean” campaign from Birmingham, Alabama, featuring Snoopy presenting a litter bag to Mayor George C. Seibels. I was especially excited because I already owned both the campaign poster shown in the photo and one of the original litter bags, so the press release helped explain exactly when and why they were produced. Another mystery piece is a 1966 photo showing Giant Frieda with a tiny Snoopy and Charlie Brown. It doesn’t include any additional information, but it was unusual enough that I wanted to preserve it as part of my collection.
The rest of the group offers a fascinating snapshot of Peanuts history. A 1974 press photo highlights Determined Productions Snoopy dolls and includes the newspaper story “Snoopy Puts on the Dog,” showing the clothing and accessories that were available for stuffed Snoopys at the time. Another favorite is a 1978 announcement for the famous Illinois Bell Snoopy telephone, explaining how customers purchased the decorative housing while the phone company retained ownership of the working parts. Rounding out the collection is a fun 1983 photo of Charles Schulz celebrating the opening of Camp Snoopy at Knott’s Berry Farm with Snoopy and the park’s can-can dancers. Press releases like these provide valuable historical context, making them a rewarding area of Peanuts collecting for anyone interested in the stories behind the memorabilia.
