Hedda Hopper Guest Books to Be Auctioned from Ex-Billionaire’s Estate

Hedda Hopper’s guest books signed by celebs ranging from Humprey Bogart to Lucille Ball are among 540 items from David Copley’s arts and antiques collection being put up for an online auction Sunday.

Other item lots—priced up to $35,000—include paintings such as Norman Rockwell’s You’ve Got to Be Kidding, Eugène Boudin’s Les Voiliers and Hovsep Pushman’s Shadows on an Ancient Wall.

Items from the late Union-Tribune publisher’s collections have been on preview since Wednesday and continue through 4 p.m. Saturday at 2613 Yates Ave. in Los Angeles.

The auction is conducted by A.N. Abell Auction Co. in Los Angeles.

Copley's La Jolla home recently was listed for sale at $7.95 million. Copley was the former owner and publisher of The San Diego Union-Tribune.

Copley, the former billionaire owner and publisher of The San Diego Union-Tribune, died of a heart attack after a car crash Nov. 20 in La Jolla.
 
The La Jolla Light reported:

Furniture and decorative arts from Copley’s properties—including Fox Hill and Fox Hole in La Jolla, and homes in downtown San Diego, Borrego Springs and Chicago—include an Italian Baroque walnut commode; an Italian Baroque carved walnut console in the form of an American Indian; and a pair of George II concertina-action games tables.

The estate’s design collection includes a Majorelle marquetry bedroom suite; a pair of Tiffany Studios bronze and Linen Fold floor lamps; an Abalone desk set; and Zodiac Turtleback desk lamp.

Hedda Hopper—the famed Hollywood gossip columnist—saw the biggest stars sign her guest books. The collection—Lot 472—is valued at $8,000 to $12,000.
  
Signatories include Gary Cooper, Olivia deHavilland Dorothy Lamour, Gracie Allen and George Burns, Rosalind Russell, Judy Garland and Vincent Minnelli, Lauren Bacall, Edward G. Robinson, Shirley Temple Errol Flynn, Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard and Pat Nixon.

Also up for auction are actor Roland Young’s guest books, valued at $5,000 to $7,000, including signatures, drawings and musical scores from Basil Rathbone, Theodore Dreiser, John Barrymore, Noel Coward, Jack Gilbert, P.G. Wodehouse, Roland Colman, Fred Astaire, Paul Robeson, James Cagney, Dick Powell, Charles Addams.