December 1, 2023
From long hikes to long tent-based naps, the Beagle Scouts have celebrated the wonders and delights of nature for five decades and now, for their fiftieth anniversary, find themselves the focus of much-deserved celebration in the newest batch of retro-tech inspired gear from Retrospekt and Peanuts. The Beagle Scouts collection includes a new Polaroid instant camera as well as new versions of Retrospekt’s own FC-11 35mm film camera and CP-81 portable cassette player.
The Peanuts gang was already much beloved when, in 1974, Charles Schulz introduced readers to the Beagle Scouts — Snoopy’s eager group of outdoor adventurers whose exploits and antics continue to embody the optimism of exploration and the beauty of the outdoors. Fast forward 50 years and the magic of Snoopy and the whole Peanuts gang continues to resonate with people of all ages around the world.
To honor the continuing legacy of the Beagle Scouts, Retrospekt, a product design and development studio dedicated to creating unique experiences through new and refurbished retro tech products, has joined with Peanuts to create three new retro devices and two new bags to celebrate the sense of wonder and possibility instilled by the eternally-inspiring artwork of Charles Schulz.
The Polaroid 600 Beagle Scouts instant film camera is built by Retrosepkt with refurbished photographic components from vintage Polaroid cameras released in the 1980s and ‘90s. Faithfully restored to work just like new, these original parts are housed inside a newly designed and molded green, tan and orange plastic exterior with official Beagle Scouts graphics. To build on the camp feel, each camera comes with three different Beagle Scout patches that can be applied to the back of the camera. The patches are mounted with a fabric fastener so the patch can be changed to match the vibe.
The collection also features two new versions of Retrospekt-created products inspired by the form and function of classic retro tech: the Retrospekt CP-81 portable cassette player and headphones bring all the essential functions of the cassette tape experience to a new generation; and the FC-11 35mm camera with a fixed-focus lens and optional flash is a direct result of the increasing demand for approachable, easy-to-use film photography products. The aesthetic of both devices is pure Beagle Scouts and seamlessly blends with the rest of the collection.
To complement each camera, Retrospekt created two unique camera bags — one to fit each camera style in the collection — clad in deep forest green and clean tans traditional of the uniforms and accompaniments of outdoor organizations the world over. The bags are lined with a bold interior graphic composed of classic Peanuts comic strips featuring the Beagle Scouts and proudly display the Beagle Scouts 50th Anniversary patch on the exterior. The bags will be available independently from the cameras and are flexible enough to fit similar-sized cameras and/or other small treasures.
The Polaroid 600 Peanuts Beagle Scouts film camera will retail for $179 and uses Polaroid 600 instant film (sold separately). The FC-11 film camera uses 35mm film (available separately from Retrospekt or wherever 35mm roll film is sold) and will retail for $59. The CP-81 comes ready to rock for $99 and includes matching Beagle Scouts headphones.
A limited quantity of Polaroid cameras will be available in-store at select Macy’s locations in late November. The entire collection will be available directly from Retrospekt (via retrospekt.com) starting December 1, 2023 (select items available via presale, shipping by the end of December).
About Peanuts®:
The characters of Peanuts and related intellectual property are owned by Peanuts Worldwide, which is 41% owned by WildBrain Ltd., 39% owned by Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., and 20% owned by the family of Charles M. Schulz, who first introduced the world to Peanuts in 1950, when the comic strip debuted in seven newspapers. Since then, Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang have made an indelible mark on popular culture. In addition to enjoying beloved Peanuts shows and specials on Apple TV+, fans of all ages celebrate the Peanuts brand worldwide through thousands of consumer products, as well as amusement park attractions, cultural events, social media, and comic strips available in all formats, from traditional to digital. In 2018, Peanuts partnered with NASA on a multi-year Space Act Agreement designed to inspire a passion for space exploration and STEM among the next generation of students.
About Retrospekt
Retrospekt is a highly-specialized workshop and product design studio in Milwaukee, Wisconsin committed to the exploration, restoration and curation of retro technology. They started their foray into the world of retro tech by supplying Polaroid with refurbished and restored vintage instant cameras and now offer a full line of vintage camera models in addition to developing official Polaroid camera collaborations with both national and international brands, such as Mattel, Sanrio and FENDI.
Since 2008, they have pursued vintage electronics and the delight of analog technology, breathing new life into cameras, portable cassette players, classic gaming consoles and other retro tech oddities. Over the last decade, their team has saved over 300,000 devices with a comprehensive refurbishment process that faithfully restores each item to perform like it did the day it was originally manufactured.
In an increasingly fast-paced world, it can be easy for digital convenience to become digital overload. Retrospekt hopes the items they offer will provide people an opportunity to slow down, step back and enjoy a more tactile and intentional experience. Visit Retrospekt.com for more information on Retrospekt and its offerings.