Strawberry Shortcake Art Appraisal

Original Strawberry Shortcake Animation Cel

This is an original hand-painted animation cel featuring the character Strawberry Shortcake, dating from the early 1980s. The piece depicts the iconic character in a standing pose with her signature oversized pink sunbonnet, red dress with a white pinafore apron, green-and-white striped stockings, and brown boots. The cel is composed of hand-painted ink and acrylic on a transparent acetate sheet, layered over a cream-colored paper background. A notable feature is the presence of two ink signatures in the lower right corner, likely those of key production artists or creators like Ralph Bakshi or those associated with the DiC/American Greetings production teams. The artwork is professionally framed within a vibrant red metallic frame, protected by a triple-matted border in cream, red, and gold tones. Physically, the cel appears well-preserved with vibrant pigment and crisp black outlines. There is no visible 'vinegar syndrome' or significant paint flaking, though some minor yellowing of the acetate due to age may be present upon microscopic inspection. The craftsmanship reflects the classic traditional ink-and-paint animation era, showcasing the clean lines and bright, flat color palettes used in television animation standards of the 1980s.