PEANUTS WORLDWIDE AND ABRAMS
For Immediate Release
Contact: Jennifer Brunn
jbrunn@abramsbooks.com / 212-519-1257
Peanuts Worldwide and ABRAMS today announced that the cornerstone of the Peanuts’ sixty-fifth-anniversary publishing program will be The Art of Peanuts (working title). This commemorative hardcover book celebrating sixty-five years of Peanuts and its influence on pop culture will showcase Charles Schulz’s original art and ephemera and include rare and never-before-published illustrations and early comic strips that served as inspiration for Peanuts.
Published by Abrams ComicArts in Fall 2015, which also coincides with the release of the first 3D CGI Peanuts feature film, and edited by editorial director Charles Kochman, the 240-page fully illustrated hardcover will include two removable posters and feature an introduction by Jeff Kinney, author of the number-one bestselling Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. The original art will be photographed by Geoff Spear, and the book will be written and designed by Chip Kidd, the award-winning author and designer of Peanuts: The Art of Charles M. Schulz. Additional text and commentary will be provided by Jeannie Schulz, widow of Charles “Sparky” Schulz and president of the board of directors at the Charles M. Schulz Museum, and Paige Braddock, senior vice president of Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates.
“I think it’s well established what a fan I am of Schulz’s art and his contribution to the popular culture of not only America, but of the entire world,” said Chip Kidd.
“With the establishment of the Charles M. Schulz Museum in 2002 and the astonishing acquisitions achievement of its curatorial staff, the opportunity to create a book that will showcase Sparky’s extraordinary body of work has never been greater. So that’s what we’re going to do. My heartfelt thanks to Jeannie Schulz and everyone else involved for entrusting me with this project.”
“We’re delighted to announce this important publishing partnership during a very exciting time for Peanuts,” said Craig Herman, executive director of publishing at Peanuts Worldwide. “The Abrams ComicArts book will be a major component of our publishing program as we celebrate sixty-five years of Charles M. Schulz’s amazing creation.”
About Peanuts Worldwide
The PEANUTS characters and related intellectual property are owned by Peanuts Worldwide LLC, a joint venture owned 80% by Iconix Brand Group, Inc. and 20% by members of the Charles M. Schulz family. Iconix Brand Group, Inc. owns, licenses and markets a growing portfolio of consumer brands including: CANDIE’S (R), BONGO (R), BADGLEY MISCHKA (R), JOE BOXER (R), RAMPAGE (R), MUDD (R), MOSSIMO (R), LONDON FOG (R), OCEAN PACIFIC (R), DANSKIN (R), ROCAWEAR (R), CANNON (R), ROYAL VELVET (R), FIELDCREST (R), CHARISMA (R), STARTER (R), WAVERLY (R), ZOO YORK (R), ED HARDY (R), SHARPER IMAGE (R), UMBRO (R), LEE COOPER (R), ECKO UNLTD. (R), andMARC ECKO (R). In addition, Iconix owns interests in the ARTFUL DODGER (R), MATERIAL GIRL (R), PEANUTS (R), TRUTH OR DARE (R), BILLIONAIRE BOYS CLUB (R), ICE CREAM (R), MODERN AMUSEMENT (R), and BUFFALO (R) brands. The Company licenses its brands to a network of leading retailers and manufacturers that touch every major segment of retail distribution from the luxury market to the mass market in both the U.S. and worldwide. Through its in-house business development, merchandising, advertising and public relations departments, Iconix manages its brands to drive greater consumer awareness and equity.
Founded by Harry N. Abrams in 1949, ABRAMS is the preeminent publisher of high quality art and illustrated books. Now a subsidiary of La Martinière Groupe, ABRAMS is the publisher of bestsellers such as the wildly popular The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney, the award-winning cookbooks of Alton Brown, and the stunning photography of Yann Arthus-Bertrand’s Earth from Above. ABRAMS publishes books in the areas of art, photography, cooking, interior design, craft, fashion, sports, comic arts, pop culture, as well as children’s books and general interest. The company’s imprints include Abrams; Abrams Appleseed; Abrams ComicArts; Abrams Image; Abrams Books for Young Readers; and Amulet Books. www.abramsbooks.com
