Art from the Pebble Beach Collection

By Abell Auction Company

OWN A PIECE OF CALIFORNIA HISTORY: ABELL AUCTION CO. PRESENTS ART FROM THE PEBBLE BEACH COLLECTION ON MAY 9


Francis John McComas (1875-1938): Polynesian Scene

A multifaceted collection of art that once adorned iconic Pebble Beach Resorts on California’s Monterey Peninsula will be presented by Abell Auction Co. on May 9. Featuring water colors, abstracts, posters and images of famous figures dating back to the early 20th century, the online auction celebrates the work of local and international artists. Live bidding for Art from the Pebble Beach Collection starts at 10 a.m. PDT.


Francis John McComas (1875-1938): Pueblo

“Most people think of Pebble Beach as host to international stars and some of the most celebrated moments in golf history,” said historian and author Neal Hotelling, who manages the Pebble Beach Company’s historical archives. “However, with the arrival of the railroad in 1880, artists discovered the light and beauty of Pebble Beach even before golf made its way to the Monterey Peninsula. In the decades that followed, a growing number of artists arrived on the scene and were commissioned to create art as décor for resort properties.”

The exclusive May 9 sale promises to appeal to those who have experienced the beauty of Pebble Beach, as well as to collectors from around the world who want to own a piece of its history. Leading the sale will be a Polynesian painting by the renowned local artist Francis McComas that appears in the background of the 1956 film “Julie” with Doris Day and Louis Jourdan, which was in part filmed at the Resorts’ Beach Club. Francis McComas pueblos that once adorned fireplaces at The Lodge at Pebble Beach since its 1919 opening into the 1990s also will be offered, as well as a Polynesian triptych by his wife Gene McComas that filled a separate room at the storied lodge.


Francis John McComas (1875-1938): Pueblo

Over the decades, Pebble Beach has continued to acquire art to showcase new artists, with older pieces carefully nestled away. The upcoming auction, offering over 200 lots, also will feature the works of golf specialty artists Scott Medlock and Bart Forbes, among many other artists.


1956 – Doris Day, Louis Jourdan, Barry Sullivan, and Frank Lovejoy around the McComas

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 6.  Visit www.abell.com to view a complete catalog or register for the auction, or call 310.858.3073 for more information.

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