Personal Treasures of Comedy Icon Richard Lewis Head to Auction on October 16

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Abell Auction Co. will present From the Personal Collection of Richard Lewis on October 16, marking the first time treasured belongings from the acclaimed comedian’s Hollywood Hills residence will be offered to fans and collectors worldwide. The live online sale, featuring nearly 200 lots, begins at 10 a.m. PDT.

Nearly 200 treasures from the personal collection of comedy icon Richard Lewis will debut to fans and collectors worldwide at Abell Auction Co.'s highly anticipated October 16 sale.

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Headlining the auction are pieces featured in the 2014 documentary “Richard Lewis: House of a Lifetime,” which takes viewers on a personally guided tour as he prepares to move from his home of 25 years. The film offers an insider’s look at his beloved “museum” of art, photographs and memorabilia, many of which are making their debut at auction.

Known for his razor-sharp wit and unforgettable presence, Lewis rose to prominence in the 1980s with stand-up specials including “I’m in Pain, I’m Doomed” and “The Magical Misery Tour,” where he transformed anxiety and despair into artful comedy. On television, he co-starred with Jamie Lee Curtis in “Anything but Love” (1989–92) before gaining further acclaim for portraying a fictionalized version of himself in HBO’s long-running “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (2000–24).

Lewis’ film roles included a neurotic Prince John in “Robin Hood: Men in Tights” (1993) and memorable appearances in “Leaving Las Vegas” (1995) and “Drunks” (1995). Beyond the screen, he was recognized by Comedy Central as one of the 100 greatest stand-ups of all time.

Auction Highlights

The October 16 auction will feature an extraordinary array of memorabilia and artifacts ranging in value from $50 to $10,000, including:

• Comedy memorabilia such as original scripts, annotated performance notes and rare tour materials.
• “Curb Your Enthusiasm” collectibles, including director’s chair backs and other items from the celebrated HBO series.
• Personal photographs offering candid snapshots on stage and in private moments.
• Fine art and sculpture by Ronnie (Ron) Wood, Piero Fornasetti, Pedro Friedeberg and other celebrated artists.
• Portraits and photography and art by Philip Burke, William Claxton and Bob Gruen (including portraits of Bruce Springsteen, Lenny Bruce, Mick Jagger, John Lennon and Yoko Ono).
• Celebrity and stage ephemera including posters, letters and meaningful keepsakes tracing his Hollywood journey.

“Richard Lewis not only changed the face of comedy but also curated a deeply personal collection that reflected his passions and influences,” said Abell Auction Co. Vice President Todd Schireson. “We are honored to present many of the same pieces seen in his documentary, giving fans and collectors the rare chance to preserve part of his story.”

Auction Date & Time

October 16, with live online bidding starting at 10 a.m. PDT

Preview Exhibition

A special preview exhibition is being held on weekdays from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Abell Auction Co.’s Los Angeles gallery, 2613 Yates Ave., 90040.

Registration & Bidding

Interested buyers are invited to register in advance and explore auction items at www.abell.com. Buyers may place absentee bids with Abell directly, bid via telephone, or bid online at www.abell.com, LiveAuctioneers.com or Invaluable.com. For inquiries or to speak with an auctioneer, please call 310.858.3073.

For high resolution images of featured auction items, click here.