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13 Rare Sesame Street Photos from the Show's First Year on Television

13 Rare Sesame Street Photos from the Show's First Year on Television

Take a trip back in time to when the trailblazing children's show first aired 51 years ago on Nov. 10, 1969

By Diane J. Cho

Updated November 10, 2020 01:07 PM

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Credit: Children's Television Workshop/Getty

The show's first hosts, Matt Robinson (Gordon), Will Lee (Mr. Hooper), Loretta Long (Susan) and Bob McGrath (Bob), pose with Big Bird on the set of the educational public television series in 1969.

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Credit: Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty

James Earl Jones joins Big Bird, Mr. Hooper and Maria on set to try the perfect egg cream back on April 5, 1969, in N.Y.C.

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Credit: Grey Villet/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty

Puppeteer and creator of the iconic Muppet puppets Jim Henson poses with Kermit, Bert and Ernie before the show took off and eventually carved out its own place in children's TV history.

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Credit: Bill Pierce/The LIFE Images Collection via Getty

Actor Matt Robinson films with Cookie Monster, who has his eyes set on — what else? — a big plate of cookies.

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Credit: Bill Pierce/The LIFE Images Collection via Getty

Actor Will Lee chats with Oscar the Grouch during a scene that aired in the show's premiere season.

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Credit: Getty

The four original hosts — Bob McGrath, Matt Robinson, Will Lee and Loretta Long — share some laughs on set.

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Credit: David Attie/Getty

Puppeteer Jim Henson holds Bert during rehearsals for an episode of Sesame Street at Reeves TeleTape Studio in 1970 in N.Y.C.

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Credit: David Attie/Getty

Puppeteers Daniel Seagren (holding Roosevelt Franklin), Jim Henson (holding Grandmother Happy) and Frank Oz (holding Betty Lou) rehearse for an episode at Reeves TeleTape Studio.

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Credit: David Attie/Getty

Actor and singer Bob McGrath rehearses at Reeves TeleTape Studio in 1970 in N.Y.C.

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Credit: Bettmann/ Getty

Jim Henson poses with a few of his Muppet creations, who became a major factor in the success of the Sesame Street series.

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Credit: David Attie/Getty

Jim Henson is seen holding Bert as he entertains a baby during rehearsals for the show at Reeves TeleTape Studio in 1970 in N.Y.C.

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Credit: David Attie/Getty

Jim Henson (holding an 'Anything Muppet' dentist) and Frank Oz (holding an 'Anything Muppet' postman) take their posts during rehearsal.

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Credit: Getty

Big Bird, Mr. Hooper, Gordon, Oscar the Grouch, Bob and Susan pose at the now-famous 123 Sesame Street, after it was confirmed that the show was greenlit for a second season, which premiered on Nov. 9, 1970.

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