Abell Auction Co. Presents the Estate of Legendary Hollywood Luminaries and Civic Activists Francis and Marion Lederer on May 16
2024年5月9日 - 2:00AM
ビジネスワイヤ(英語)
The sale will offer an exquisite array of Spanish and Italian
art and furnishings that once adorned the couples’
monastery-mission style hacienda, now a Los Angeles
historic-cultural monument
Abell Auction Co. is rolling out the red carpet with treasures
from the estate of debonair stage and screen actor Francis Lederer
and his wife Marion Lederer on May 16. The online sale will
showcase a coveted collection of Spanish and Italian art and
furnishings, from the 14th to 19th centuries, that once adorned the
couples’ California mission-inspired residence. Live bidding will
start at 10 a.m. PDT.
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Highly coveted art, furnishings and
treasures from the former California mission-inspired estate of
Hollywood luminaries Francis and Marion Lederer will highlight
Abell Auction Co.'s May 16 online sale. The residence is a Los
Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument (no. 204). www.abell.com (Photo:
Business Wire)
Francis Lederer was a Czechoslovakian-born actor with a
successful career in Europe and the U.S. He starred in motion
picture productions in the 1920s and 1930s, including “Pandora’s
Box,” considered one of the greatest films of the silent era. He
went on to achieve success on the Broadway stage and television
screens, where he made guest appearances on programs such as
"Mission: Impossible," "Ben Casey," "The Untouchables" and "It
Takes a Thief.”
In 1933, Francis Lederer purchased land in the Canoga Park area
of the San Fernando Valley, later renamed West Hills, where he
built a home on a 6.7-acre knoll in the style of California
Missions San Luis Rey and Santa Ynez. Designed by John R. Litke as
an extraordinary example of museum quality architecture, the
sprawling residence was declared a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural
Monument (No. 204) in 1978.
In 1941, Francis Lederer married Marion Irvine, an alumna of the
University of Toronto and UCLA who dedicated her life to promoting
the arts and culture. The couple curated a trove of rare items for
their home that will make a stunning appearance on the auction
block. These include their original collection of furnishings,
paintings, polychrome figures, religious artifacts and other
decorative objects as shown in a 1965 issue of Architectural
Digest.
Icons of hospitality, the Lederers were famous for welcoming
notable figures from the Golden Age of Hollywood and beyond to
their incredible home. The two played host to celebrities such as
Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton,
Peter Marshall, Frank Sinatra, Eva Gardner, Dick Van Dyke, Merv
Griffin and Liza Minnelli, among many others.
In 1957, Francis Lederer, one of the earliest members of the
Screen Actors Guild, founded the American National Academy of
Performing Arts located in Studio City, where he taught a weekly
actors' workshop. He is credited with training and jump-starting
the careers of countless A-list actors, including Academy Award
winners Jamie Lee Curtis, George Clooney and Helen Hunt.
Over the years, the Lederers remained active in supporting
numerous civic causes and international humanitarian services. A
lifelong peace activist, Francis Lederer founded the World Peace
Federation in 1934. He also served on the boards of the Los Angeles
Recreation and Parks Department and Greek Theater, and as honorary
mayor of Canoga Park. Together, he and Marion Lederer served as
ambassadors for UNICEF, represented the U.S. Department of State in
Czechoslovakia and founded the Canoga Park, California-Taxco,
Mexico Sister City Program.
After founding the Sister City Program, Marion Lederer served on
its board of directors and was instrumental in its receiving
national and international recognition. She also was a member of
the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Commission, founding member of
American National Theatre and Academy, and executive board member
of Women's Auxiliary of the Motion Picture and Television Fund.
Throughout her life, she was honored with numerous civic and
humanitarian awards.
Following the Northridge earthquake in 1994, the Lederers moved
to Palm Springs, where Francis Lederer passed away in 2000 and
Marion Lederer passed away in 2011.
Highlights of the May 16 auction include Latin American and
European fine art from the 15th to 18th centuries; polychrome
figures from the 15th to 19th centuries; fine Italian and Spanish
furniture; and much more. An auction preview will be held on
weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Abell gallery, 2613 Yates
Ave. in Los Angeles, starting on May 9.
Visit www.abell.com to view a complete catalog or register for
the auction, or call 310.858.3073 for more information. Buyers may
place absentee bids with Abell directly, bid via telephone or bid
online at www.abell.com, LiveAuctioneers.com or Invaluable.com.
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Stacy Geere, 661.253.1059 or stacy@thegeeregroup.com