LOS ANGELES, CA.- On Tuesday, March 26th, 2023, at 12:00 pm PDT, John Moran Auctioneers presented their first California Living sale of the year. Collectors far and wide turned out for the fine art and design highlighted by The Marmor Family Collection that focused on art of the 1960s and 1970s. Blue chip artists Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Rauschenberg, David Hockney, Jasper Johns lead the collection. The sale also featured design pieces by Sam Maloof, Jonathan Adler, and other mid-century gems.

Dr. Judd Marmor, a psychiatrist in Los Angeles, and his wife Dr. Katherine Marmor, a psychologist, were well acquainted in the LA art scene during the last half of the 20th century. They forged connections with modern and contemporary artists such as William N. Copley, George Herms, Ed Kienholz, Roy Lichtenstein, Ed Ruscha, Frank Stella, and H.C. Westermann, among others. The couple built a large collection of prints and assemblages, were founding members of Museum of Contemporary Art, and were long-time supporters of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Through their acumen and purchases from artists’ studios and galleries, their collection represents a microcosm of Los Angeles art from this influential period. This sale included Pop Art collected by Judd and Katherine Marmor as well as works added by their son, Michael and his wife, Jane Marmor that emphasized Op Art and Indigenous art.

Some of the most anticipated offerings from The Marmor Collection were the 16 lots of Roy Lichtenstein works. Each one drew multiple bidders and the entire selection brought in a whopping $256,455*! The highlight was lot 23, “Modern Head #1,” from his “Modern Head” Series, 1970. It achieved an impressive price realized of $24,130*, which was especially exciting because it outperformed one offered in a competitor’s sale. Other noteworthy Lichtensteins were lot 13, “Mirror #3” from the “Mirror Series,” 1972, and lot 74, “CRAK!,” 1964, each selling for $24,130*.

One of the artists the Marmors befriended was William Copley, an influential figure in the postwar art world. Lot 30, Copley’s “Haut Boy,” 1970, was one of the top lots of the sale with a winning bid of $60,325*.

The auction started strong with lots 6,7, and 8 bringing in some major action. These three screenprints were by the Op Art artist, Bridget Riley, and together they earned nearly $100,000*! “Silvered 2,” 1981, and “Ra 2,” 1981 each sold for $34,925*, and “Untitled (Bronze),” 1978 left the block for $21,590*. Then, lot 10, “Red Curve (for Joel),” 1993, by Ellsworth Kelly achieved $14,520*, more than doubling the estimate.

Lots 21 and 22 were works by Matt Kahn, an emeritus professor from Stanford who taught design, painting, drawing, sculpture, and color theory for more than 60 years. The two works in the sale, “Medusa,” 2004, and “The Fly,” 1995, achieved an aggregate total of $26,035.

For decorative art and furniture, standout moments included a Sam Maloof walnut settee, lot 152, earning a winning bid of $7,620*, and a “Beatus Vir” Murano block glass sculpture by Luigi Benzoni for Berengo, 2003, lot 166, selling for $1,452*.


*- Includes buyer’s premium