On Thursday May 17, I traveled to Santa Rosa for the unveiling of the US Post Office's Snoopy stamp, along with Peanuts archivist and web-meister Derrick Bang and his wife Gayna. Conveniently I was already out in California for business!

The line was already forming in front of the Redwood Empire Ice Rink by the time we arrived at 8 AM, but since we were early, we didn't have to wait in line too long to get sheets of stamps and day-of-issue cachets (envelopes which had a drawing of Snoopy approaching a mailbox, with a stamp canceled with special Santa Rosa "first day of issue, 1 Snoopy Place" postmark). There was another line to get miscellaneous envelopes canceled with the same if you wanted. In the morning, folks dressed in Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, and Schroeder costumes circulated among people waiting in line. The line stayed quite long throughout the day!

At 10:30 the unveiling ceremony took place inside the Redwood Empire Ice Arena. It was short but sweet. There was an introduction by Jeffrey Lelevich, the Postmaster of Santa Rosa, CA. Next came a presentation of colors (flags) by the US Marine Corps Color Guard and the national anthem performed by Jane Felder (both a USPS employee and singer). Snoopy was on hand, and saluted during both. He continued to ham it up during the presentations.

Brief words commemorating Charles Schulz and the Peanuts comic strip were spoken by Olympic gold medal-winning skater Peggy Fleming Jenkins; Monte Schulz, Charles Schulz's son; Jean Schulz, Schulz's wife; and John Wargo, the Vice President, Strategic Marketing, United States Postal Service.

Once the speeches were over, the curtain was pulled back revealing a large poster of the stamp. Snoopy mimicked his pose as drawn in the stamp. After many photos for the press were taken with the speakers and the stamp poster, we managed to get out on the ice to have our photo taken with the stamp poster too. Snoopy also worked the crowd, hugging little children, shaking hands, and posing for photos with fans.

A short autograph session with Peggy Fleming Jenkins, Jean Schulz, and Snoopy followed outside the rink. In case you're curious, Snoopy had a rubber stamp to deliver his "pawtograph!"

Next we had lunch in the Warm Puppy Cafe (which wasn't very crowded, surprisingly - apparently many people had come only to get stamps!). Then after lunch, the ice rink held a free skate period for those who brought skates. Snoopy joined the skaters on the ice to dance the Hokey Pokey.

While we were there, we visited Snoopy's Gallery and Gift Shop (of course!). They were selling t-shirts with the image of the stamp on them; these are exclusive to the Gallery and Gift Shop. (They were also available on the gift shop's web page, there may still be some left.)

The Charles M. Schulz Museum had a table selling charter memberships, which are also available by mail or on-line now, and will continue to be available until one week after the museum's official opening. Depending on the level of membership you choose, you can get a lapel pin of Snoopy in a construction outfit, an exclusive "Charles M. Schulz Museum under construction" t-shirt, or a framed copy of the final Sunday comic, in addition to free museum admission. Visit their web site for details about all the membership levels, benefits, pictures of the pins and t-shirts, and how to join.

Construction on the museum building continues - it's all framed and much of it is enclosed. It looks like it'll be impressive! They are planning on opening the museum in spring of 2002.

After chatting with other fans, we ended the afternoon by visiting the recently installed bronze statue of Charlie Brown and Snoopy at the Railroad Square Depot Park in Santa Rosa.

For more info and photos about the Snoopy stamp, visit:

Peanuts Collector Club's Stamp Page

Charles M. Schulz Museum's Stamp Dedication Photos

PeanutsPost - info about Peanuts stamps from other countries as well as the U.S. stamp, and opportunity to buy unique stamp collectibles