Bill Melendez died

[Adam West]

I'm sure everyone recognizes his name, but for those of you who don't know who he is the one who created all of the animation for all of the Peanuts specials.

I only found out because a person who I have purchased a few animation cels from just called to tell me the news and said that the information will be getting national coverage this evening.

Apparently, his art gallery has a large amount of original artwork for sale that they were planning on running in October but he expects his studio to get bombarded with requests for the items once the news hits. Sopwith Studios, which is Bill Melendez's main company told the studio to go ahead and keep the artwork and sell it so he called me to see if I wanted anything before he opens it up to the public.

[toys2cool]

That sucks man,may he rip

[Wee67]

I love the Peanuts specials. I remember getting so excited to the "Special" circle across my TV screen. I still try to watch the Christmas special when it airs every year. Yeah, I could just break out the DVD, but I just love watching it live. I hope he knows the impact he had on so many young lives.

I can just see all the angels now, head tilted back, singing a welcoming tune-

[Wee67]

BTW, is this not for release yet? I want to put it in my show.

[Adam West]

I'm surprised it hasn't hit the major news wires yet from what I can tell. A few sites have picked it up but no one major yet.

BTW, I love that scene and have been on a multi-year wait list to purchase a limited edition of this (I think his studio made 150) but it is impossible to find and already was around $3,000 to buy it. They are all hand signed by him so when and if one becomes available I can only imagine what the seller will want for it.

Believe it or not he also did the voice of Snoopy and Woodstock and also came up with the idea of the Waa-waa whenever the parents speak. I think it is a muted trumpet or something like that.

[Earth 2 Chris]

A snippet from Toon Zone.

Toon Zone - Your Source for Toon News!

I had no idea he was still involved in the Peanuts specials. No wonder they held up in quality, even over 40 years!!!

Chris

[vintage spideyfan]

What a bummer. The "Great Pumpkin" just won't be the same this year... R.I.P. Mr. Melendez.

[huedell]

Heavy, heavy influence... those shows

RIP

[HardyGirl]

Oh wow...that's really sad. Well at least he and Charles Schultz are together now. RIP Bill. I'll think of you both every holiday when the specials air.

[UnderdogDJLSW]

It is sad news, but at 91 years and still being able to do what he loved is great.

[Hector]

My Mexican brother is gone...rest in peace mi amigo.

[RG]

sad day, Love those shows

[mitchedwards]

Thats sad news. His animation brought joys to millions.

[Adam West]

you need to wait about a year or so to buy anything of his. Due to everyone doing the " grave yard" selling on ebay and everywhere else. i wouldn;t even buy from a gallery due to their hiking the prices up due to his death. But wait a bit and you'll find it reasonable.
It high also because everyone ( baby boomers etc) are trying to recapture their childhood again later in life. Luckily I did that 20 years ago..lol

Actually, I have given the particular gallery that I deal with quite a bit of business so they aren't going to play games with me on prices unless they want to lose a customer for life. I did buy an original cel at a reasonable price. I'll post a picture of it in a bit. The gallery owner just emailed me to confirm it was mine and told me his phone has been ringing off the hook. I just looked at his offerings again and half of them are gone already...he must have had 50 or 60 cels or hand drawings all sold in a matter of hours.

[Adam West]

Here it is...an original cel from the Easter Beagle