Cels Forum

Dear Forum,

Whew!  I just got caught up reading all the stuff posted
since I last visited this Friday =P.  My eyes are tired!
Well, recently, I have seen several American versions of
hanken mono cels for sale (i.e. cels especially made for
artwork on books, lunchboxes, etc. except with Disney,
Warner, Snoopy, or other American characters on them instead
of anime), and their prices were varied from $100.00 -
$1000.00 .  Looking at the quality of these American hanken
mono cels, most are about the same quality as the production
cels.  In the case of a Disney Little Mermaid cover book art
cel (See Van Eaton Galleries website at
http://www.vegalleries.com), the price for it is low
($1000.00) compared to an actual production cel from the
movie but higher than production cels from the television
series.

Here is my question.  Why are American versions of hanken
mono cels regarded in lesser value to anime hanken mono
cels?  They both are just made for the same purpose, are
handpainted, and are just as rare, but the American versions
just don't have the same desirability (I can't spell!) as
the anime ones?  Just curious.  Any information would be
greatly appreciated =).

Also, as a side question, I was wondering if anime studios
still commission or do hanken mono cels anymore especially
with computers now taking over most of the animation and
coloring process?  Actually, I'm wondering if ANY animation
studio does these hanken mono cels anymore (American or
Japanese) because of the ease of computers?  I'm just
wondering =/.

Like I said, any information or insight would be greatly
appreciated!  Thanks.


Sincerely,

Sonia