November 24, 1951: Cute, Too

Rather a strange thing for Charlie Brown to be jealous about. The exclamation point over Snoop's head is a nice touch.

September 28, 1951: Can I have two tens for a five?

This is another of my favorite early strips. It's enough to make me wonder if Charlie Brown has a touch of dyslexia.

The root of this joke, alluded to in the title, is the same as in the old vaudeville routine where a sharp asks a rube for incorrect change. We take more notice that all the necessary things are in the proposition than of whether they're in the correct places.

March 5, 1951: A toy beagle

What the heck is that thing Violet's dragging supposed to be?  For some reason I'm reminded of something Daffy Duck was once turned into during his fight with the animator in Duck Amuck.  Another character finally meets Violet here, although without comment.  Snoopy seems okay with becoming a toy in the last panel.

February 8, 1951: More Violet

Charlie Brown reminds the readers of Violet's name again here.

Violet's style is already something that might not have been possible in those tentative early strips, with their head-hugging hair.  Violet's hair is the most complex seen yet, with strong highlighting and thick, black shapes suggesting strands of hair.

Notice the girl's use of a bookstrap.  Are these ever seen anymore?

Thanks for the feedback, Aaron!

Novmber 11, 1950: Kind of calculated, isn't it?

CB is just so sensitive.