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Animation Art

Animation art is one of those industries forever changed by technology, as handcrafted production celluloid (cels) and backgrounds were replaced by digital inks in the later 20th century. The collector’s markets existing as a result can be categorized in two areas: original and reproduction.

Film animation has existed since the turn of the 20th century, but archiving and selling its production artwork was practiced minimally until the 1970s. It’s noted that some early Disney artists actually threw their artwork away after filming, or gave pieces away to friends and family. Some work was even wiped off the cel and reused for new drawings. By the 1970s, dealers began offering film art to fans, and a lucrative market ensued, peaking in the 1990s, bottoming, and then rising again in the 2000s.

As animation collectibles grew, vendors responded to demand by producing new and reproduced artwork in lots, manufacturing items like limited edition cels, sericels, and lithographs. The sericel is actually a silk-screened print on acetate or plastic, and essentially duplicates an original film cel. Sericel values can vary widely, and it’s best to research the printing before purchasing art. Signed, limited-edition lithographs have become common to collecting as well, and understanding a piece’s background is essential to achieving a good value.

Recommended Items at Auction

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Walt Disney Sleeping Beauty LE Colored Sericel COA
Feb 12, 11:00 AM EST
Walt Disney Sleeping Beauty LE Colored Sericel COA
by MiddleManBrokers
Est: $1- $1,000
$255 Bids
Walt Disney Studios (American) Graphite on Paper 1937, 'Snow White And the Witch'
Feb 14, 11:00 AM EST
Walt Disney Studios (American) Graphite on Paper 1937, 'Snow White And the Witch'
by DuMouchelles
Est: $300- $500
$2253 Bids
Limited Edition Walt Disney 100th Anniversary Edition Art by THOMAS KINKADE Studios
Feb 16, 10:00 AM EST
Limited Edition Walt Disney 100th Anniversary Edition Art by THOMAS KINKADE Studios
by South Florida Auction & Estate Sale Services
Est: $6- $1,000
$92 Bids
Charles Schulz Production Animation Cel and Drawing
Feb 25, 10:00 AM CST
Charles Schulz Production Animation Cel and Drawing
by Leonard Auction
Est: $800- $1,000
$4001 Bid
Mickey's Trailer Model Sheet Pencil on Paper, 1938
Mar 20, 11:00 AM EDT
Mickey's Trailer Model Sheet Pencil on Paper, 1938
by Auctions at Showplace
Est: $300- $500
$1001 Bid
Animation Cel, Walt Disney Productions
Feb 20, 10:00 AM PST
Animation Cel, Walt Disney Productions
by Clars Auctions
Est: $800- $1,200
$4001 Bid
Walt Disney Studios (American) Hand Painted Celluloid 'How to Ski (Goofy)'
Feb 14, 11:00 AM EST
Walt Disney Studios (American) Hand Painted Celluloid 'How to Ski (Goofy)'
by DuMouchelles
Est: $600- $800
$4501 Bid
Animation Cel Walt Disney Production Sleeping Beauty Prince Phillip
Feb 23, 10:00 AM PST
Animation Cel Walt Disney Production Sleeping Beauty Prince Phillip
by Taylor & Harris
Est: $1,200- $1,500
$1,0000 Bids
Disney Snow White Seven Dwarfs LE Colored Sericel
Feb 12, 11:00 AM EST
Disney Snow White Seven Dwarfs LE Colored Sericel
by MiddleManBrokers
Est: $1- $1,000
$10 Bids
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BABOU (né en 1979)
Feb 09, 4:00 PM CET
BABOU (né en 1979)
by Absolute Auction
Est: €6,000- €7,000
€3,0000 Bids
Four KINNIKUMAN celluloids. Acetate and drawing.
Feb 20, 2:00 PM CET
Four KINNIKUMAN celluloids. Acetate and drawing.
by Setdart Auction House
Est: €550- €600
€4000 Bids
CYBERCAT KUROCHAN 2 celluloids and 10 drawings, watercolor background. With producer's registration sheet.
Feb 20, 2:00 PM CET
CYBERCAT KUROCHAN 2 celluloids and 10 drawings, watercolor background. With producer's registration sheet.
by Setdart Auction House
Est: €400- €500
€2500 Bids
NAOKI YOKOUCHI (Japan, 1966). CYBERCAT KUROCHAM. Four celluloids and drawing on the back.
Feb 20, 2:00 PM CET
NAOKI YOKOUCHI (Japan, 1966). CYBERCAT KUROCHAM. Four celluloids and drawing on the back.
by Setdart Auction House
Est: €300- €400
€2500 Bids
NAOKI YOKOUCHI (Japan, 1966). CYBERCAT KUROCHAN. Four celluloids and drawing on the back.
Feb 20, 2:00 PM CET
NAOKI YOKOUCHI (Japan, 1966). CYBERCAT KUROCHAN. Four celluloids and drawing on the back.
by Setdart Auction House
Est: €300- €400
€2500 Bids
OSAMU TEZUKA (Toyonaka, 1928-Tokyo, 1989. Two celluloids of "Jetter Mars". Acetate and drawings.
Feb 20, 2:00 PM CET
OSAMU TEZUKA (Toyonaka, 1928-Tokyo, 1989. Two celluloids of "Jetter Mars". Acetate and drawings.
by Setdart Auction House
Est: €250- €280
€2000 Bids
Two CYBERCAT KUROCHAN celluloids. 2 celluloids and 7 preparatory drawings. With producer's registration sheet.
Feb 20, 2:00 PM CET
Two CYBERCAT KUROCHAN celluloids. 2 celluloids and 7 preparatory drawings. With producer's registration sheet.
by Setdart Auction House
Est: €400- €500
€2000 Bids
CYBERCAT KUROCHAN Celluloid and preparatory drawings.
Feb 20, 2:00 PM CET
CYBERCAT KUROCHAN Celluloid and preparatory drawings.
by Setdart Auction House
Est: €250- €300
€1500 Bids
BLACK JACK celluloid. "Mr Armando. Acetate and drawing on the back.
Feb 20, 2:00 PM CET
BLACK JACK celluloid. "Mr Armando. Acetate and drawing on the back.
by Setdart Auction House
Est: €150- €180
€1000 Bids
OSAMU TEZUKA (Toyonaka, 1928-Tokyo, 1989). Two celluloids of "Jungle Taitei". Acetate and drawing.
Feb 20, 2:00 PM CET
OSAMU TEZUKA (Toyonaka, 1928-Tokyo, 1989). Two celluloids of "Jungle Taitei". Acetate and drawing.
by Setdart Auction House
Est: €180- €200
€1000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Animation Art


Robinhood Auctions

Robinhood Auctions

Setdart Auction House

Setdart Auction House

DuMouchelles

DuMouchelles

MDP Auction

MDP Auction