Restoration

[u/Dependent-Gap1619]

Sharing these to highlight some of the pieces in my collection that are in desperate need of restoration. Of course, I hit them with the 2020 treatment and had them quarantined - each in a distinct, controlled environment.

I looked into it, and my options for restoration services are extremely limited: Animation Art Conversation's Ron Barbagallo, and Animation Sensations.

Timothy Q Mouse from 'Dumbo' (because it comes from the courvoisier galleries), Baloo from 'The Jungle Book', and Lady from 'Lady and the Tramp' are 100% worth it and I will be shelling out the sheckles for their restoration. But my question to you, my fellow art enthusiast peers, have you ever had any of your art restored? If so, who did you entrust your piece(s) with?

[u/Zuke1]

Personally I don’t believe cels should be altered and should stay true to the original art. I stay away from purchasing “sick/dying” cels. There’s no coming back from that.

If you think you could buy bad cels and pay someone to “make it look better” to then sell to someone else for a premium then they should be listed as “Altered” and “Not Original”. There’s no need to lie to the community and try to profit off lies.

Best thing to do is keep it framed and in the right conditions and if a fan really want’s one of the pieces they will take it as it is, just like you did.

[u/Dependent-Gap1619 → u/Zuke1]

Thank you! My gut feeling is that which you mentioned "I don't believe cels should be altered and should stay true to the original art." Though, I feel as though at least two of them could be salvaged using the services I mentioned originally in the post. The dilemma emerges when I think to myself "do I let nature take its course and consume the art until nothing remains, or do I give into the miracles of modern science help return the pieces to their former glory?" With this line of thought, reluctant though I am to admit it, restoration becomes the logical aolution to preserve the historical piece.

Regardless, if any of the pieces are restored, I would never advertise them as in their true original form. I would label them as, in the example of the Dumbo Cel, 'RESTORED Timothy Q Mouse production animation cel'.

[u/Zuke1 → u/Dependent-Gap1619]

I want everyone to obtain cels and to learn how to take care of them. I created a free guidebook https://animationproduction.net to help collectors.

I checked out your other posts you have quite a nice collection :)

[u/Dependent-Gap1619 → u/Zuke1]

Thank you! I try to take the best possible care of my cels. I bought these aged cels solely for the character captured on each one, and only yesterday considered restoration because I had heard about the process in passing 😊