LOS ANGELES, CA.- On June 14,
Bonhams will present the estate of philanthropist and Founder and CEO of Spectrum Labs Roy T. Eddleman (1940-2022) in Los Angeles. The sale will include Georgian furniture and silver, a large collection of blue and white Chinese export porcelain, an extensive Meissen Swan Service, and American sterling silver flatware from Eddlemans two homes in Los Angeles. Proceeds from the sale will be donated to The Eddleman Quantum Institute, a charitable organization dedicated to advancing science and technology through quantum science and education.
Roy Eddlemans life was defined by his intellectual curiosity and interest in science influencing his career, his prodigious philanthropy, and the shape of his art collection. In 1970 at the age of 30, he founded Spectrum Labs, which specialized in making and patenting products for biotech companies. His achievements in the field of science enabled him to establish and support numerous philanthropic causes, most notably to care for AIDS victims in the 1980s through his founding of the Foundation for Educational Research. Additionally, Eddleman donated his collection of early paintings of apothecaries, surgeons, and alchemists to the Science History Institute in Philadelphia.
While his collection of paintings of alchemical subjects reflected his interest in science, his collection of furniture and decorative arts reflect his love of history and the classics. He was a student of culture and used the scholarship he gained to assemble a collection that paid homage to some of the greatest historical eras of art. The resulting collection, which was exhibited at both his long-time residence on Amapola Lane and more recently at his home in Beverly Park, represents a wide spectrum of artistic disciplines and craftmanship from the ancient world through 19th century Europe and includes Georgian furniture, fine silver, Meissen porcelain and Italian bronzes.
Eddleman was known known for hosting weekly dinner parties and holiday celebrations at his home. The events became legendary for their unexpected nature with Eddleman often flying his guests to New York or Hawaii on a whim. Eddleman died in 2022 at the age of 82 and was celebrated by his friends at a tribute event at the Beverly Hills Willshire in February of this year.
Highlights of the estate include:
A pair of George IV silver wine coolers by John Edward Terrey, London, 1827, estimated at $50,000 70,000.
A limited-edition Steinway & Sons, New York Grand Piano, estimated at $25,000 35,000.
A set of four George II carved walnut armchairs, mid-18th century, estimated at $25,000 35,000.
A church interior with elegant figures and dogs by Bartholomeus van Bassen (The Hague, 1590-1652), estimated at $20,000 30,000.
A Mohtasham Kashan carpet, estimated at $15,000 20,000.
A Meissen Swan Service porcelain dinner service, post 1976, after the model by J.J. Kändler and J.F. Eberlein, estimated at $15,000 20,000.