Auctions of Golden Age Celebrity Estates

What do the first and only Jewish Miss America, and a film noir siren who starred in movies with icons like Humphrey Bogart and Charlton Heston, have in common? Both will have fine jewelry and other collections from their estates offered in an in-person and online Fine Art and Antique Sale on May 3. The sale will be presented by Abell Auction Co., Southern California’s premier auction gallery serving generations of clients since its founding in 1916. Auction highlights:

• Items from the Santa Monica estate of Bess Myerson, the only Jewish Miss America ever crowned (1945) and a TV personality in the 1950s and ’60s: A Chaumet 18K gold and diamond-mounted stone bowl ($8,000-$12,000), a 14K gold evening bag with compact, a Steinway & Sons grand piano, Picasso Madoura plates and more.

•  Estate items of Lizabeth Scott, a film noir actress from the 1940s and ’50s who starred alongside (besides Bogart and Heston) Burt Lancaster, Elvis Presley and other leading men: A collection of gold evening accessories including a French-woven gold and diamond evening bag ($6,000-$8,000), an 18K gold cigarette set ($4,000-$6,000)and more.

•  A total of more than 550 lots of fine art and sculpture, antiques, fine jewelry, silver, Chinese porcelains, a Gibson semi-hollow body electric guitar, and appointments from estates throughout Southern California. The sale is expected to attract an international audience of live and online buyers from dozens of countries. The last quarterly auction drew buyers from more than 40 countries.

The auction will take place on Sunday, May 3, at 10 a.m. at the Abell gallery, 2613 Yates Ave., Los Angeles. Online bidding is available at www.liveauctioneers.com. Abell was Los Angeles’ first permanent auction house showcasing fine estate property, a tradition that continues today. Now in its fourth generation, the 100-year-old company provides personalized guidance as it hosts weekly general auctions and quarterly fine art and antique sales that attract an international audience.