Saturday Evening Post Comics by Charles Schulz

...based on his "Li'l Folks" style

The Peanuts© comic strip, drawn by Charles Schulz, has been my lifetime favorite. That it is also the world's favorite strip is no wonder. Now that I have crossed the half-century threshold, I tend to look back at the innocence and complexity of the themes with a perspective other than simply entertainment - although I still thoroughly enjoy reading them just to get a few good laughs.

Since Charles Schulz's death in 2000, books have been published documenting his life and how his experiences influenced Peanuts characters' appearances and behaviors. It is apparent from the content that Mr. Schulz hearkened from an era much different from today. It is hard to imagine a start-up comic akin to Peanuts being accepted in the much cruder, meaner, and less polite world of 2009.

In case you are also a Peanuts fan and have not already assimilated your own collection of books and paraphernalia, here are a few that I recommend.

See my page of Peanuts paraphernalia.

One interesting tidbit that I found in Peanuts: The Art of Charles M. Schulz, is a list of the edition of The Saturday Evening Post where Schulz's first for-pay comics appeared. I had been under the mistaken impression that they were printed under the original name of "Li'l Folks," per his St. Paul newspaper appearances; however, Mr. Ken Sumrall (who graciously provided a few of these comics) pointed out that no titles were included in The Saturday Evening Post. Here are a few of the comics that I scanned from editions of The Saturday Evening Post which were purchased on eBay.

Charles Schulz in "The Saturday Evening Post" - May 29, 1948  (page 116)

This is the first comic ever commercially published by Schulz

Charles Schulz in "The Saturday Evening Post" - July 17, 1948  (page 42)

Charles Schulz in "The Saturday Evening Post" - September 25, 1948  (page 152 )

Charles Schulz in "The Saturday Evening Post" - November 6, 1948  (page 91) 

Charles Schulz in "The Saturday Evening Post" - November 13, 1948  (page 179) 

Charles Schulz in "The Saturday Evening Post" - January 1, 1949  (page 60)

Charles Schulz in "The Saturday Evening Post" - February 19, 1949  (page 119) 

Charles Schulz in "The Saturday Evening Post" - May 21, 1949  (pages 72 & 166) 

Charles Schulz in "The Saturday Evening Post" - July 16, 1949  (page 114) 

Charles Schulz in "The Saturday Evening Post" - November 19, 1949  (page 132)

Charles Schulz in "The Saturday Evening Post" - February 11, 1950  (page 45)

Charles Schulz in "The Saturday Evening Post" - February 18, 1950  (page 129) 

Charles Schulz in "The Saturday Evening Post" - April 29, 1950  (pages 87 & 140)

Charles Schulz in "The Saturday Evening Post" - May 6, 1950  (page 79) 

Charles Schulz in "The Saturday Evening Post" - July 8, 1950  (page 54)

This is the last of Schulz's comic in the Post

Peanuts Memorabilia:

• Peanuts Memorabilia Collection
• Peanuts Hungerford Dolls
• Peanuts Bobblehead (Nodder) Figures
• Peanuts Skediddlers
• Snoopy Wind-Up Alarm Clock Restoration
• Snoopy Astronaut
• Saturday Evening Post "Li'l Folks" Comics by Charles Schulz
• First TV Airing of "A Charlie Brown Christmas," 1965 TV Guide
• Peanuts Toys - Featuring Snoopy the Astronaut, 1969 Sears Christmas Wish Book
• Women's Day magazine -February 1968
• Catholic Miss magazine - December 1966
• Life magazine - March 17, 1967