February 2013 Auction Ends Thursday, February 28th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/28/2013
Original hand-drawn and handwritten ''Muppets'' character sketch by Jim Henson of his early character, ''The Snerf,'' a fuzzy tubular monster with a trumpet for a nose. The Snerf made his debut with a trumpet nose, as it previously had a beak for a nose, along with the other early Muppets on 13 October 1974 in a guest spot on ''Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass''; the popularity of the Muppets here led to their own television show. Sketch with handwritten notes by Henson portrays an envisioned scene for the variety show, used by Henson to pitch the Muppets concept to ATV Studios in London in 1974. Story-board type sheet has detailed handwritten notes by Henson envisioning a Snerfs dance number: ''Dance Piece #1 / Snerf dance (5 Snerfs) / 'In a Little Spanish Town' Piece starts with one - then 2, 3 , 4 & 5 - then Dwight uses technical effect and we get 10 then twenty for big finish. Can be done on our own 6' wall by using risers for puppeteers. / puppeteers (5) in black hoods against Black background / this can also be done with a 48'' wall / wall about 8' wide.'' He then draws two rows of 10 Snerfs framed on the imagined platformed stage. With two Polaroids mounted to board with Henson appearing in both with a Snerf, so as to show an example of how the production can be maneuvered. The Snerfs did indeed perform ''In a Little Spanish Town'' on the ''Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass,'' which aired on 13 October 1974. White board measures 14'' x 11'' and is framed in a transparent acrylic case equipped with wall mountings to an overall size of 17.25'' x 14.25''. Fading to board and handwritten notes, with one ink blot and smeared red colored pencil in one spot; clear plastic frame's edges have minor wear, else fine condition.
Jim Henson 1974 ''Muppets'' Character Sketch -- Henson Pitches His ''Muppets'' Before They Got Their Own Television Show -- Includes Two Polaroids of Henson Posing With the Snerf Puppets
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