Cel Storage Question

Hi,

I am brand new to cel collecting, and I just purchased my first animation cel a few weeks ago. It's from my favorite childhood movie, The Last Unicorn (1982). The cel itself is in excellant condition, and came with the matching pencil production drawing.

I am planning on having the cel framed, but in the meantime I am going to be buying one of the Itoya portfolio books to store it in. But my question is, the person whom I purchased it from sent both pieces to me in clear plastic sleeves that are folded over and sealed to protect the cels. This person is an avid cel collector, so it seems that the sleeves are made just for these types of cels.

Would it be wise to leave the cels inside the clear plastic sleeves that I received them in, and then put that into the sleeve of the portfolio book...or should I put just the cel itself into the sleeve of the portfolio book WITHOUT the clear sleeve that I received them in?

Sorry if it's a dumb question, but any help would be appreciated. I want to preserve this cel to the best of my ability.

Thanks!
Rhiannon

Well,

The cel bag that you are referring to is there for protecting your cel. I wouldn't take it off, but it doesn't sound like the best sort of bag. It should do until you get some new "poly" bags.

Go to my link page for new collectors like yourself ("Backdoor") and look for a sub-category
"Cel care guide"

There are also many other links there to help you get going in cel collecting =)

Here is the link:

http://e.rubberslug.com/gallery/links.asp

Good luck!

E