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An exceptional grouping of original hand-painted cels featuring Baby Herman, the cigar-chomping infant star of Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988). These pieces highlight both the artistry and production process behind one of the most technically ambitious and influential animated films ever made.

The first cel is a hand-painted model reference, created within the animation department to establish Baby Herman's colour palette, proportions, and emotional range. Model cels of this quality were used by ink-and-paint artists as visual "bibles" to maintain consistency across scenes and sequences. The trio of dynamic poses, each one on a separate cel, expressing irritation, defiance, and comic exasperation, beautifully capture the exaggerated "extremes" of character animation under director Richard Williams' supervision.

The second cel is an authentic production cel from the film, likely from the opening "Somethin's Cookin'" sequence where Baby Herman crawls across the kitchen floor moments before chaos erupts. This iconic short-within-a-film pays homage to Tex Avery and Bob Clampett cartoons, seamlessly blending vintage Warner Bros. energy with the film's groundbreaking live-action integration.

Under the guidance of Robert Zemeckis, Richard Williams, and Steven Spielberg, Who Framed Roger Rabbit redefined animation in the modern era. The film's innovative combination of traditional cel animation, optical compositing, and live-action cinematography earned three Academy Awards® and a Special Achievement Oscar for Williams' direction of animation.

Baby Herman, voiced by Lou Hirsch, epitomised the film's irreverent tone, a baby who looks innocent but curses like a noir detective. The contrast between his cherubic design and adult personality made him an instant cult favourite.

Hand-painted cels of Herman are notably scarcer than those featuring Roger or Jessica Rabbit, making this pair particularly desirable for collectors. Dimensions: 56 cm x 41 cm (22" x 16.25")

Sold without copyright; see copyright notice in the Terms and Conditions.

Estimate: £400 - 800 M

View all lots from WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT (1988)