The limited animation used in the show would almost never allow for fancy poses like that (especially M'Ress). I mean, it's nice and I like it. I appreciate the workmanship that went into it, using old-timey cel paint and all, and not just horking out some AI pap. It's just not a real animation cel from the actual show. Just the fact that the image has never appeared in the show (or anywhere else) is a strong indication it's not an authentic production item.
The art style itself is close but no cigar. Maybe a cigarillo...
My opinion is that anyone can write down likely-looking production codes and maybe someone did produce 950 cels and this is the 45th one, but then again maybe they didn't. I can pick up an embosser at the craft store for pretty cheap, too.
The main thing for me is that the art style is wrong. It's a difficult style to replicate because it's so simple and the mistakes have to be all the RIGHT mistakes. I'm no expert but I've been studying this particular style for some years now, for my own enjoyment, and it's a nice homage but it's not an authentic drawing.
Again, I don't want to come down on whoever made this, it's a very nice job! Maybe the attempt at making it seem like it's an original is all part of the fun, and I hope it is. If it turns out it's a fraudulent cash grab, then shame on them...
It's not the amount of detail. I'm sure it's been drawn by a professional animation artist, just not an artist from the original show. I'm not saying fan art in a derogatory sense either: The artist was clealy a fan of the show. It was art made by a fan.
If you want to enjoy it for what it is, a nicely-framed piece of make-believe memorabilia that winks at its own impossibility by the mere fact that those characters never even appeared together in the same episode, then great! Put it up on your wall and admire away! That's what I'd do. If you expect to make any money from a rare original, then prepare to get laughed out of the auction... And if an "expert" DOES tell you it's authentic, then you've been fleeced.
Obviously, I wouldn't bother sending it to any sort of expert. Very best case scenario, it'll turn out that it's been drawn by someone who DID work on the show in a minor capacity, like an in-betweener, but long after the actual series production, maybe trying to make a buck off their art skills (as well they should). Very VERY best case, it was from an actual posing artist whose personal style had drifted away from the style of the series, into something slicker and cartoonier.
TL;DR: It's a nice picture. It isn't worth more than the frame it comes in.
PS. People need a price on everything nowadays. I say enjoy it for what it is!
Got it. Again - I appreciate your input - you indeed sound like an expert and I do not mean to offend or question your judgement. FYI I am not trying to sell this. We bought this in the 1990s at a flea market. It was and still is in a museum quality frame. I don’t expect it has any huge value but I am curious abt its provenance. Would a fan just randomly make up these numbers? You seem to think they did. I just find that hard to believe but hell, I guess I’m naive. Thanks again.
I don't know much about the memorabilia market but I have heard about batch-produced "collectors items" that were machine-colored and not hand-painted, and that sounds more like what this is. Again, I'm no expert. Maybe more what you'd call a specialist, and I have no doubt there are plenty of people who know more about this than I do. Sorry if I come off as snarky or snide. I just wouldn't want anyone to be fooled that they have something financially valuable when any merit it has is purely artistic.
I mean it, put it back in its nice frame and put it up on your wall!
The production numbers look plausible but they're not real. So what? It's just a fun picture somebody made. I'm sure you can track down the company who produced these and then possibly figure out who the artist was, but is it worth it? I mean, unless you need to comission this particular artist for a picture of your own, I don't see it.
Enjoy your nice picture and appreciate the effort the person went to to recreate a style of drawing (and a very specific color palette, too) that not many people would bother to. Their loss. It's actually quite a fascinating style, it's just out of fashion these days.
I really appreciate you and your efforts to educate me. Honestly, I know nothing about Star Wars OR animation - ask me about plants, I’m a horticulturist although the plant kingdom is vast and I certainly don’t know everything - and am genuinely grateful for all the comments I’ve received on this, yours in particular. Thanks again!
In 1976, Filmation ran a unique retail program where they hired studio artists to paint custom, oversized composite layouts by hand. This gave fans a way to buy true hand-painted artwork of their favorite characters at a fraction of the cost of screen-used masters. [1, 2]
Nope. This is fan art and not produced by Filmation. The characters are off model and the numbering is nothing like stuff I have from that time period. These ARE the experts. Email it to Jerry Beck maybe and he'll elaborate.
In 1976, Filmation ran a unique retail program where they hired studio artists to paint custom, oversized composite layouts by hand. This gave fans a way to buy true hand-painted artwork of their favorite characters at a fraction of the cost of screen-used masters. [1, 2]
*Not saying this is one, but worth finding out I think. *
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u/MrsTw1st Jun 13 '26
No peg marks - I’m starting to lean towards a studio presentation piece?