DALLAS, TX.- It is one of the most iconic moments in Pop Culture history: having just listened to Linus read from Like 2:8-14, reminding every one of the real message of Christmas, Charlie Brown — followed by the entire cast of Peanuts — picks up his sad little Christmas Tree and heads outside, leaving the rehearsal for the holiday play he is directing and leading directly to the classic, dramatic finale.

"It's not bad at all, really," Charlie Brown famously says of the tree. "Maybe it just needs a little love."

Now, a grouping of Production Cels and the original Key Master Pan Production Background from that very moment in A Charlie Brown Christmas will be available — for the first time — at auction. The setup appears in Heritage Auctions' Dec. 13-14 Animation Art Signature® Auction in Dallas. It is estimated at $35,000+.

"A Charlie Brown Christmas is, quite simply, one of, if not the most influential TV cartoon special in all of history," said Jim Lentz, Director of Animation Art at Heritage Auctions. "This year marks the 50th anniversary of the special, which has shown every year since it first debuted on Dec. 9, 1965. On top of that, Vince Guaraldi's jazz soundtrack for the show has become an integral part of Christmas music."

While no special can compete with Charlie Brown in terms of fame, Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas comes closer than any. Featured in the auction is a superb Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas Production Cel Setup (MGM, 1966) from near the end of the special from the moment "He hadn't stopped Christmas from coming! It came just the same!"as the Grinch sees all the Whos in Whoville holding hands, singing and celebrating Christmas even though they have no gifts. It is estimated at $5,000+.

"This is an incredibly rare hand-painted 16 field production multi-cel setup," said Lentz, "taken from a key scene from the classic animated holiday special."

Mickey's Christmas Carol, a beloved holiday feature length cartoon from Disney in 1983, makes a few appearances in the auction, most notably in the form of an Uncle Scrooge Production Cel on Master Background Setup (Walt Disney, 1983/94). This hand-painted production cel of Scrooge McDuck as Ebenezer Scrooge is on a Master hand-painted background of Ebenezer's house and the street he lives on. It is estimated at $5,000+.

Further highlights include, but are not limited to:

Hanna-Barbera at King's Island Publicity Cel and Drawing (Hanna-Barbera, c. 1970s): Hand-painted oversized cel with more than 40 Hanna-Barbera animated characters. This is part of the artwork that went into a Christmas Poster used at Kings Island Amusement Park that featured Hanna-Barbera characters in the 1970s. Definitely one-of-a-kind. From a long time Hanna-Barbera executive's private collection. Fine condition. Estimate: $5,000+.

Mickey Mouse Mickey's Christmas Carol Production Cel and Key Master Production Background Setup (Walt Disney, 1983): The entire Cratchit family is in this one heartwarming scene: Minnie as Mrs. Cratchit, Mickey as Bob Cratchit and little Tiny Tim Cratchit at the table for the (rather small) roast bird. After a long theatrical sabbatical, Mickey Mouse returned to the silver screen in this Academy Award-nominated classic theatrical feature. Easily the most sweet and sentimental cel setup from this beloved Christmas classic. Estimate: $5,000+.

The Night Before Christmas Santa Claus Production Cel (Walt Disney, 1933): Hand-inked and hand-painted 12 field nitrate production cel of Santa Claus from the Silly Symphony short directed by Wilfred Jackson (released on Dec. 9, 1933. Estimate: $2,500+.

Mickey's Christmas Carol Uncle Scrooge McDuck Concept Art (Walt Disney, 1983): This Master concept painting featuring Scrooge McDuck as his name-sake Ebenezer Scrooge and was used for the opening credits in the Academy Award-nominated short film. This was Mickey Mouse's big return to the big screen, as the first original Mickey Mouse theatrical cartoon produced in over 30 years. Estimate: $2,500+.

Doctor Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas Grinch Production Cel Setup (Chuck Jones, 1966): Here is the Grinch in full Santa outfit in this superb original hand-painted production cel setup. Estimate: $1,500+.

Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol Jacob Marley Production Cel (UPA, 1962): Scrooge's – played in the special by Mr. Magoo – deceased partner Marley comes back in this original hand-painted production cel. Estimate: $1,000+.

Peanuts A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Charlie and Lucy Production Cel Setup with Animation Drawings (Bill Melendez, 1973): A beautiful hand-painted production cel of Charlie Brown and Lucy from the famous Football Sequence that opens this TV special, which premiered on Nov. 20, 1973, and has been shown every year since. Estimate: $1,000+.

Pluto's Christmas Tree Chip and Dale Color Model Cels (Walt Disney, 1952): A pair of rare hand-inked and hand-painted 12 field color model cels of both Chip and Dale from the short directed by Jack Hannah, with some animation by Bill Justice and Fred Moore. Estimate: $1,000+.

Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present Production Cel Setup (UPA, 1962): A four cel setup featuring Mr. Magoo, along with the Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present from television's first animated Christmas special. Estimate: $750+.