Reunification Question

[cutiebunny]

I think many of us have at least one item, whether it be a cel, sketch, background, etc. that we would like to reunite with its missing cel/sketch/background/rilezu. However, as often happens in this hobby, a fellow collector might own the missing item(s). Though one, if not both collectors might want to reunite the items in order to preserve them together, how then would you determine which collector has priority over owning the set? And does that priority change regarding on the items in question? For example, if Collector A owns the cel and Collector B owns the background, would Collector A's right for owning the complete set triumph over Collector B's right? What if Collector A owned the matching sketch instead? Would you be willing to surrender any item of yours to another collector if it meant keeping the set together?

I ask because I remember a couple of years ago there was an issue of a collector owning a cel and the matching sketch residing in another person's collection. The cel owner wanted the sketch owner to sell the sketch in order to reunite the items, but the sketch owner, liking the sketch very much, refused to do so. The cel owner, in turn, was very upset with the sketch owner's decision and had a difficult time with the concept of other collectors not putting the artwork's integrity before their attachment.

I've also observed that the general notion is that "Whomever owns the cel has priority". I've seen countless posts over the years where a collector will state that they own X and, for whatever reason, missed out the matching sketch and ask if the buyer would be willing to sell the sketch. But yet, I can't recall ever seeing the opposite posted, or someone with the background asking if the matching cel owner would sell the cel. Why aren't there posts where someone will state that they've won a complete sketch cut, and knowing that there are several cels out there in the community, ask someone to sell it to them to reunite the set?

My thought has always been that, if both owners are equally interested in keeping the set together, that it should go to whomever has the more dedicated collection. So if one collector is solely focused on a particular episode or character, then they should have the priority in lieu of the other collector. But if both parties are equally attached to their item, then, both should probably wait until either one decides to sell it (if ever).

[ToriPagac]

ii'd be willing but theyd have to fork over a bit of cash sometimes sketches are all certain collectors ca afford on the other hand if it meant restoring a full cut of sketches which spliting up is a pet peve of mine i'd be far more agreeable does that make sense

[ReiTheJelly]

Though one, if not both collectors might want to reunite the items in order to preserve them together, how then would you determine which collector has priority over owning the set?

Neither collector has priority. Both individuals bought the items they own because they liked and wanted them. If one (or both) wishes to reunite the "set" they can ask the other to sell, but they shouldn't expect it. No one person deserves the art over another.

[zerospace]

Neither collector has priority. Both individuals bought the items they own because they liked and wanted them. If one (or both) wishes to reunite the "set" they can ask the other to sell, but they shouldn't expect it. No one person deserves the art over another.

Agreed, 100%.

[Thanatos]

I agree completely with what was said previously. In regard of what should a buyer have the priority ? If one want to reunite the layers, he can ask the other, but that's all. They are both free to sell or not, and neither has the priority.

[teggacat]

Neither collector has priority. Both individuals bought the items they own because they liked and wanted them. If one (or both) wishes to reunite the "set" they can ask the other to sell, but they shouldn't expect it. No one person deserves the art over another.

Agreed, 100%.

total agreement, all is fair in love and war and animation art collecting

regardless, good topic CB, gets people thinking...and posting!

[90sKid]

I also agree with the majority that no one else has priority on an item that a different collector has purchased with their own money. For example, If I knew another collector had an amazing collection of pieces revolving around one set/cel, and I simply owned one measly drawing of a mouth layer that belonged to that cut (with nothing else on it other than that tiny line), then they wouldn't have priority over it because it was something I purchased my self and is rightfully mine. Sets are broken up all the time. You only get priority over what you find and buy.

Now I can completely understand collectors wanting to reunite stuff together, so asking another collector to sell is a different aspect as long as they do it politely and don't mind getting turned down. (But if someone has the nerve to claim rights to a piece that someone else owns, that's just an instant jerk move and will definitely not get them anywhere.)

[graymouser]

I have been in that situation.... sort of. A while back I bought a set of dougas off of YJ. A few years later I noticed that someone had the matching cel for one of them. I contacted the owner of the cel for her shipping address and sent it to her. As it turns out she had known for some time that I had the sketch but was uncomfortable about asking for it, so she never did. I prefer to see sets stay together though this is probably not realistic. I am not a big sketch collector and in this case my desire to see the set reunited was greater than my attachment to this particular sketch. There was also a time where I had the matching background to another collector's cel, and she had the matching background to one of my cels. It turned out that we bought from the same dealer who had switched them by accident. In that case, we traded backgrounds to complete the setup for both of us.

Since each person paid for their own pieces, there is no reason either should feel obligated to give them up. However, I do not see a problem with asking if the other collector ever decides to sell, to contact you about it. I would not mind giving priority to a buyer trying to complete a setup as long as they were willing to pay a fair price for it. Obviously, there would still be problems with this approach since there can be many matching cels to a single background. It would be easier with a matching douga.

[Promethium]

I don't mind ppl contacting me to sell/trade cels at all, but if someone ever asked me to fork something over and "put the artwork's integrity before my attachment," I'd tell them to go piss off (in the politest way possible, of course )

[Sui Kune]

This is a really interesting topic.

I do dream of reuniting several items in my collection, but should I come across the owner of the cel or sketch and they don't want to sell, I'd be perfectly fine with it. I'd even understand, if the reverse happened with me I'd admittedly be a little hesitant to part with it, since I get very very attached to what goes in my collections. I think a good compromise is a mutual exchange of links in the descriptions, like how I link to every sequence mate I find of a piece of artwork; it's a bit of a kinship like two people owning sequence mates is, and the viewer of the gallery can see both cel and sketch easily.

[star-phoenix]

I don't mind ppl contacting me to sell/trade cels at all, but if someone ever asked me to fork something over and "put the artwork's integrity before my attachment," I'd tell them to go piss off (in the politest way possible, of course )