The ultimate collector?

[Promethium]

I came across a JP collector's "how I store/organize my cels" page, so thought I'd share as it's mindboggling - at least to me.

http://www.geocities.jp/dropcatch/etc/warehouse.html

He rents 2 climate controlled storage rooms to keep his massive collection. EACH ROOM HAS ABOUT SIXTY FRIGGIN BOXES!!! filled with cels/douga/genga/backgrounds/layout/storyboards/settei/time sheet/cut bags/image boards/etc. (He wears a hat/mask/apron when handling his collection)

This guy should just open a museum. I'd totally pay just to see what he has in those boxes!

[ReiTheJelly]

What is the purpose of wearing such protective gear (gloves, etc.) when you're storing your collection in CARDBOARD BOXES!? And some of those boxes seem absolutely jammed full - no breathing room at all. I'm surprised his items haven't been damaged by such storage. I mean, cels and sketches actually weigh quite a bit, and he seems to have these massive boxes stacked several high...


But you're right - I'd pay good money to rifle through his collection.

[Promethium]

What is the purpose of wearing such protective gear (gloves, etc.) when you're storing your collection in CARDBOARD BOXES!? And some of those boxes seem absolutely jammed full - no breathing room at all. I'm surprised his items haven't been damaged by such storage. I mean, cels and sketches actually weigh quite a bit, and he seems to have these massive boxes stacked several high...


But you're right - I'd pay good money to rifle through his collection.

Yeah, I totally hear you. He says his boxes are stacked 5 to 6 boxes high!

There's a consensus amongst the Western collectors as per storage, but there doesn't seem to be much of a consensus among Japanese collectors, other than put them in cel bags - they rarely ever mention the type of plastic bag they use - usually they get them from the 100 yen shop. Some collectors put them in clear files/plastic cases for extra protection and shove them in the closet, but that's about it. I'm speaking in general terms here. I'm sure we've all had cels sent in total crap plastic bags from Japan?

JP collectors seem to worry more about humidity→mold more than anything else. Considering how ridiculously humid it gets in Japan, I can appreciate this guy's effort even if he keeps them in cardboard boxes.

[Cordelia]

And here I was feeling guilty about how much space my cels, sketches and dry cabinets were taking

Yea, the way he stuffs the artwork in boxes and stacks them up makes him more like a seller (who doesn't care about cels) than collector.

[sensei]

It looks like he has bagged all his sketches individually. That would provide some relief from weight if they are all stacked horizontally. But I too would be concerned about the cumulative effect of pressure on the cels, plus the lack of ventilation. What I've read recently confirms that the acetate on which the cels are painted is chemically active, and that buildup of gases released by this process can accelerate deterioration of the plastic.

I'm being much more proactive about visually inspecting my entire collection more often, and airing it out in the process. (No, I'm not just getting high by huffing the cel bags... ) And with older items I'm routinely putting a sheet of microchamber paper in the cel bag (the front, not the back).

I would worry that with a collection that large and inconveniently packed, there is a real chance that trouble could start in the bottom and seriously compromise the condition of many cels before it was detected and corrected.

We went by a yard sale held by the daughter of an elderly gentleman who collected baseball cards, and, it seems, just about everything else. He liked to boast that he had one card that was worth $100,000. When he passed on, his home was a shambles, with stuff piled so high that it was impossible to get in the front door.

The cards were in the shed, the daughter told us, and if we'd like to go in there and look for the 100K item, we could make an appointment and do so. We looked at the condition of the stuff in the yard and reckoned we'd pass. Evidently, a number of professional card dealers had done so as well.

There's a fine line between "ultimate collecting" and just plain hoarding (in the clinical sense, not the derogatory sense), which I'm hoping not to cross for a couple more months yet.

[Drac of the Sharp Smiles]

My silly thought when looking at that page is that the guy seems to like the same cel bags I greatly prefer. The blue markings on the strips covering the adhesive are a dead giveaway. ^_^

However, I just can't imagine how it's possible to enjoy a collection like that... Size aside, the storage state really prevents any kind of browsing. My collection is (obviously!!!) nowhere near that and even when I sit down for a few hours of browsing, I have to pick which parts to browse. If you're not looking at what you have and enjoying what you have, then you're only aquiring and what's the point then?

[Shampoo]

There is a japanese Takahashi collector that I know of who use to have his site up w/ pictures of his apartment where the surroundings were boxes upon boxes, stacked up to the ceiling w/ full cuts of scenes w/ their matching bg and sketches. They were all just separated by cel bags and nothing more. Some of the more impressive boxes contained whole animations of lum dancing from one of the early openings and Akane jogging and swaying side to side from the 1st op too. He also had stacks of posters and comiket market banners from the 80s-90s he collected over the years. It was enough to make my any collector's head spin thinking how badly jammed the cels were and how they probably never had their bags changed. He took his site down a long time ago when it was easier to google it with kana characters.

[ceogbdd]

"I just can't imagine how it's possible to enjoy a collection like that..."

Couldn't agree more.

Personally, I matte-up, frame, and display just about every piece I track down (which is, I like to say, the hidden cost of collecting fine art - which I happen to consider this hobby)...I like to enjoy these pieces in my day-to-day life, and placing them in positions of relative prominence - while occasionally troublesome, given the scale of things vs. limited wall space - allows me to do just that.

Just a preference, acourse.

[cutiebunny]

In addition to the carboard boxes holding artwork and chotchkes, I'm surprised that that this person hasn't removed the tape on all those sketches. It's sad to see that they've all turned yellow and stained the sheets.

[teggacat]

thanks for sharing the link promethium
I find it fascinating to see how other collectors operate

[D123]

Crazy I wonder what he could have in all those boxes..

[Promethium]

And here I was feeling guilty about how much space my cels, sketches and dry cabinets were taking

Cordelia - I know right? My guilt about spending bucket loads of money on my cels went out the window when I saw the size of his collection.

All but #1 were significantly bested by the 470,100 yen paid for this paint-spattered and badly damaged layout from Heidi:

Sensei - I just saw your "top 10 priciest CCS cels" and the bit about the Heidi layout. I had no idea Heidi stuff commands that much! I've only seen Heidi stuff in ppl's collections so never knew. I'm sure you recognized the last photo in this guy's website? It's a STACK of Heidi layouts. He mentions he has over 200 Heidi layouts in just one portfolio book. God only knows how many books he has! Any idea which Nippon Animation series the 7th pic from the top is? I don't recognize it at all.

If you're not looking at what you have and enjoying what you have, then you're only aquiring and what's the point then?

Drac - Lol, maybe this guy has photographic memory and remembers his entire collection?

It was enough to make my any collector's head spin thinking how badly jammed the cels were and how they probably never had their bags changed.

Shampoo - And I'm sure there's a Matsumoto collector out there that stores their collection exactly the same way as these guys.

"Personally, I matte-up, frame, and display just about every piece I track down

Ceogbdd - Just about every piece? Your collection is huge tho! Home museum?

I'm surprised that that this person hasn't removed the tape on all those sketches.

Cutiebunny - Maybe some collectors like to see 'aging'? Or maybe it adds to the authenticity in their eyes? No idea. From Sensei's CCS/Heidi post, paint splatter and tears doesn't seem to deter collectors when it's something that rare. Still a gem in their eyes.

thanks for sharing the link promethium I find it fascinating to see how other collectors operate

Teggacat - You're welcome Glad you chimed in.

Crazy I wonder what he could have in all those boxes..

D123 - I know, the mystery is painful. Keeping my fingers crossed that none of the series I collect are in there

And to add to this thread.... In my endless search for my QM 'will give kidney' cels, and looking thru JP collector's galleries I came across this.
I guess every collector has their own way of enjoying their collection...?
(Warning: Some of you guys collect the same series as this guy, so if you're gonna get upset over mistreated cels and hella annoying music, DON'T LOOK )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEd8wBbcH-c

[ceogbdd]

Ceogbdd - Just about every piece? Your collection is huge tho! Home museum?

Just about...there are several walls in our place that look like this:
http://bgcartoonology.rubberslug.com/ga ... mID=335586

My more "notable" pieces I put up in places where they can be displayed individually...counter-intuitively, having a bunch of pieces all together actually decreases the visual impact.

If I could only curb the habit...

[D123]

And to add to this thread.... In my endless search for my QM 'will give kidney' cels, and looking thru JP collector's galleries I came across this.
I guess every collector has their own way of enjoying their collection...?
(Warning: Some of you guys collect the same series as this guy, so if you're gonna get upset over mistreated cels and hella annoying music, DON'T LOOK )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEd8wBbcH-c

Oh no.. they’re not TACKED are they

[ReiTheJelly]

Oh no.. they’re not TACKED are they?

This collector seems to have them bagged with a paperboard backing - the tacks are through that, thank goodness. The most traumatizing thing I've ever seen was at the Ghibli Museum where they have LOTS of original pieces tacked to the 'model studio' walls...