BOSTON, MASS.- RR Auction announces its special June sale, focusing on art, literature, and classical music. This extraordinary auction features a remarkable collection of autograph material from some of history's most celebrated figures.

Art Highlights:

Charles Schulz - The original 'Peanuts' designs for Tarzana's 'Snoopy Bridge' are a significant highlight. This complete set of original pen-and-ink 'Peanuts' drawings was gifted by Schulz in 1971 to decorate the newly erected overhead footbridge at the intersection of Wilbur Avenue and Collins Street in Los Angeles's suburban Tarzana neighborhood of San Fernando Valley. These drawings are genuine slice of American life, showcasing characters who have been a vital part of American culture since Schulz introduced the 'Peanuts' comic strip in 1950. (Estimate: $100,000+)

Paul Gauguin - A significant twice-signed autograph letter signed in French, written days before his death, is one of the last letters of Paul Gauguin. Addressed to his friend George-Daniel de Monfreid, this letter reveals Gauguin's desperate plea for help and highlights his hardships in his final days. Dated April 1903, the letter describes Gauguin's legal troubles and declining health, making it a poignant and historically significant piece. (Estimate: $25,000+)

Alexander Calder - A signed letter in French, signed "Calder," written on a postcard showing cows on the Nonnewaug River in Woodbury, Connecticut, dated May 9, 1958. Addressed to Franco-Hungarian sculptor István Beöthy, the letter announces Calder's arrival in Paris at the end of June. On the opposite side, Calder has sketched in the style of one of his kinetic sculpture mobiles, coloring in the cows and adding a caption: "Collaboration between cows and sculptor." Calder's innovative use of simple materials to create kinetic sculptures revolutionized modern art and continues to inspire artists worldwide. (Estimate: $20,000+)

Pablo Picasso - A letter in French, signed "Picasso," written on a postcard and postmarked August 17, 1919. Picasso writes to art dealer, critic, and collector André Level, mentioning his vacation in Saint-Raphaël and includes a sketch of the noontime sun with "Midi" at the center. This postcard offers a fascinating glimpse into Picasso's life and ongoing engagement with African art, significantly influencing his work during his 'African Period.' (Estimate: $15,000+)

Literature Highlights:

An intimate archive of signed books and correspondence from Nobel Prize-winning author John Steinbeck to his cherished typist, Mary Morgan, is included in the auction. This unique collection captures Steinbeck's warm, playful, and vulnerable side, revealing a relationship that transcended professional interaction. The archive consists of seven signed books with witty and risqué dedications and 26 letters showcasing Steinbeck's affection, humor, and appreciation for Mary's warmth and friendship. (Estimate: $60,000+)

A signed book by Charles Dickens—"Sketches by Boz"—presented to prominent London librarian and antiquary, William Upcott. This first single-volume octavo edition is signed and inscribed by Dickens, adding a significant touch to this valuable piece. The volume features illustrations by George Cruikshank, enhancing Dickens's vivid depictions of London life. (Estimate: $20,000+)

A rare signed limited edition of James Joyce's 'Ulysses,' published by The Bodley Head in 1936, is also featured in the auction. This edition, limited to 100 signed copies, is bound in calf vellum with a Homeric bow design by Eric Gill. Joyce's masterwork faced numerous censorship challenges, making this edition a particularly sought-after collector's item. (Estimate: $25,000+)

The auction also includes important letters by Herman Melville, Victor Hugo, J. D. Salinger, and J. R. R. Tolkien, providing a deeper understanding of these literary giants' personal lives and creative processes.

Classical Music Highlights:

A handwritten church cantata fragment by Johann Sebastian Bach, from the cantata 'Ich habe meine Zuversicht' (BWV 188), is included in the auction. This fragment, a meditation on human suffering, showcases Bach's intricate compositional style and dramatic expression. (Estimate: $300,000+)

A significant autograph musical manuscript by Ludwig van Beethoven, his first sketch of "Neue Liebe, neues Leben," a setting of Goethe's 1775 love poem. This emotionally charged draft provides rare insight into Beethoven's creative process during a transformative period in his career. (Estimate: $150,000+)

Additionally, the auction features rare autographs of Franz Joseph Haydn, Giuseppe Verdi, Gaetano Donizetti, and Gioachino Rossini, each a testament to the enduring legacy of these classical music masters.

RR Auction's Art, Literature, and Classical Music auction began on May 22 and will conclude on June 20.