Historic Estates & Celebrity Collections

For more than a century, Abell Auction Co. has been entrusted with the sale of some of the most significant and celebrated estates on the West Coast. From the personal collections of Hollywood legends and acclaimed artists to distinguished family estates, Abell has built a reputation for discretion, expertise, and exceptional results. Our team takes great pride in presenting the treasures, stories, and legacies that define Los Angeles and beyond, bringing collectors worldwide a rare opportunity to acquire works from the homes of iconic figures in art, entertainment, design, and culture.

With landmark single-owner auctions, Abell continues its long tradition of honoring California’s most remarkable lives through the art and objects they cherished

Abell Auction Co. is Honored to Represent the Estate of Thomas O. Paine

Abell Auction Co. is representing the estate of Dr. Thomas O. Paine, who oversaw the nation’s space program during the first manned missions to the moon.Dr. Paine joined the space agency as its Deputy Administrator in January 1968 and was named the third Administrator in its history in March 1969. During his tenure, NASA launched the first seven Apollo missions, in which 20 astronauts orbited the earth, 14 flew to the moon and 4 walked on its surface. He resigned from the agency in September 1970 to become a vice president and group manager at General Electric, where he had worked for 25 years before joining NASA. In 1985 President Ronald Reagan appointed him chairman of the National Commission on Space. He was appointed by President

The Estate of Dr. George (Jürgen) Wittenstein & Dr. Christel Bejenke Wittenstein

Abell Auction Co. is proud to present the estate of Dr. George (Jürgen) Wittenstein & Dr. Christel Bejenke Wittenstein, a prominent Santa Barbara couple with an incredible humanitarian background. Dr. George Wittenstein was a general, cardiovascular, and thoracic surgeon, while his wife Dr. Christel Bejenke Wittenstein was an anesthesiologist.While first in the United States, Dr. George Wittenstein lived in Colorado, where he taught and studied at Denver General Hospital. He and his family moved