Cels Forum

Op cels are very rare to start out with.  They are used
in the opening credits for every episode.  They are 
highly sought after by collectors of their respective
shows are they are a icon of sorts to that show.

Think of it terms that most US people can understand.
When you think of some recent cartoons such as animaniacs
wouldn't you just love to have a cel from the sequence
of the warners jumping out of the watertower?  Usually
opening sequence cels are memorable and a landmark for that
particular show.  Since there is only one and it was 
used in every episode it is usually more desirable.  In
general expect to pay no less than 2 or 3 times the cost
of a good cel from that series (eg if a very nice cel
costs say $200, an op cel would run $400-$600 and up).
Good shots or more 'classic' poses of the characters can
go for well over $1000.

Part of the reason at least in US animation op cels are
so hard to get is that when a show is finished, it is
normal practice for the studio to let the animators
take 101001516040f any cels made that they want.  Normally all
the op and ending cels are taken at this time.  Which would
help to explain the difficulty in obtaining these kinds
of cels.