Skip to content
Original cel used in the production of a Dr. Seuss cartoon, believed to be produced by DePatie-Freleng Enterprises, 10 1/2 inches x 12 1/2 inches. Estimate: $100-$160. Image courtesy of Universal Live.

Fresh cast to star in Universal Live animation art sale Dec. 27

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf

Original cel used in the production of a Dr. Seuss cartoon, believed to be produced by DePatie-Freleng Enterprises, 10 1/2 inches x 12 1/2 inches. Estimate: $100-$160. Image courtesy of Universal Live.
Original cel used in the production of a Dr. Seuss cartoon, believed to be produced by DePatie-Freleng Enterprises, 10 1/2 inches x 12 1/2 inches. Estimate: $100-$160. Image courtesy of Universal Live.
NORTHBROOK, Ill. – Animation art—the second half of a dealer’s large collection—will comprise Universal Live’s entire auction Tuesday, Dec. 27, which will begin at 6 p.m. Central. LiveAuctioneers.com will provide Internet live bidding.

Universal Live President Martin Shape said that of the 338 lots to be sold, “at least 50 percent of them are new characters” since the suburban Chicago auction company sold the first half of the collection on Dec. 11.

Many of the lots are original production animation cels, some dating as early as the 1940s. Others are serigraph cels produced as limited editions. There are also original paintings of comic characters by Dick Duerrstein, who was creative director of Disney’s Consumer Product Division before devoting his career totally to creating artwork.

“This sale is unusual because it is focused totally on animation art,” said Shape. “They’re some of the rarest cels available—not common at all.”

Beloved Hanna-Barbara characters making appearances in the auction include The Jetsons, Yogi Bear, Quickdraw McGraw, Huckleberry Hound and Scooby Doo.

Shape said the oldest cel in the auction is from a 1944 Bugs Bunny cartoon. Other famous comic characters represented range from Batman to Tarzan.

Nearly all of the artworks in the sale come with certificates of authenticity. Conditions are described in the catalog as being very good to excellent.

For details about the Universal Live animation art auction call 847-412-1802 or e-mail sales@universallive.com. View the fully illustrated catalog and sign up to bid absentee or live via the Internet at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

View the fully illustrated catalog and register to bid absentee or live via the Internet as the sale is taking place by logging on to www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

‘Rosie the Robot’ original production animation model cel from the Hanna Barbara television series ‘The Jetsons,’ signed by Bob Singer, dated June 20, 1962, 10 1/2 inches x 12 1/2 inches. Estimate: $500-$770. Image courtesy of Universal Live
‘Rosie the Robot’ original production animation model cel from the Hanna Barbara television series ‘The Jetsons,’ signed by Bob Singer, dated June 20, 1962, 10 1/2 inches x 12 1/2 inches. Estimate: $500-$770. Image courtesy of Universal Live
Original animation cel used in the production of the 1990s television series ‘Taz-Mania,’ image 11 1/2 inches x 8 1/2 inches. Estimate: $100-$160. Image courtesy of Universal Live.
Original animation cel used in the production of the 1990s television series ‘Taz-Mania,’ image 11 1/2 inches x 8 1/2 inches. Estimate: $100-$160. Image courtesy of Universal Live.
Yogi Bear & Boo Boo limited edition animation serigraph cel, ‘The Jellystone Open,’ image 13 inches x 9 inches. Estimate: $150-$230. Image courtesy of Universal Live.
Yogi Bear & Boo Boo limited edition animation serigraph cel, ‘The Jellystone Open,’ image 13 inches x 9 inches. Estimate: $150-$230. Image courtesy of Universal Live.
Pink Panther original animation cel used in the production of ‘The Pink Panther Show,’ 1970s, image 11 1/2 x 8 1/4 inches. Estimate: $250-$380. Image courtesy of Universal Live.
Pink Panther original animation cel used in the production of ‘The Pink Panther Show,’ 1970s, image 11 1/2 x 8 1/4 inches. Estimate: $250-$380. Image courtesy of Universal Live.
Original painting by Dick Duerrstein, ‘Doctor Bugs Nose Best,’ acrylic paint on stretched canvas, signed by the artist, lower left, and on the verso, direct from the artist. Estimate: $750-$1,160. Image courtesy of Universal Live.
Original painting by Dick Duerrstein, ‘Doctor Bugs Nose Best,’ acrylic paint on stretched canvas, signed by the artist, lower left, and on the verso, direct from the artist. Estimate: $750-$1,160. Image courtesy of Universal Live.