BY MARK VAUGHN |
ABELL AUCTION CO.
Peter and Merle Mullin amassed what has to be the greatest and most beautiful collection of French cars of the 1930s ever.
In its own way the Mullin Automotive Museum even surpassed the Schlumph Collection in Mulhouse, France, in its curation and wide-ranging items, not just the cars.
The museum was known for its beautiful Bugattis, Delages, and Delahayes—cars that routinely win Best of Show at Pebble Beach and at other concours around the world.
The Mullins won Best of Show at Pebble in 2011 with a uniquely stunning 1934 Voisin C-25 Aerodyne.
But the Mullins’ taste extended beyond cars. There were also works of art in the museum from all members of the Bugatti family, including furniture and sculptures from not only Bugatti family members but from all manner of Art Deco artists.
And now, two years after the passing of Peter Mullin, what may be the last of that great collection is up for auction online.
“Abell Auction Co. is honored to present The Mullin Automotive Collection: Bugatti and the Art of the Automobile on March 4, featuring rare French automobiles, paintings, décor and artifacts from the legendary Mullin Automotive Museum,” the 109-year-old auction house said in a release.
“Curated by the prominent American businessman and philanthropist Peter Mullin (1941-2023), the collection reflects his lifelong passion for automotive excellence, French artistry and Art Deco design.”
Live bidding for the online sale, featuring nearly 350 lots, has started. Buyers may place absentee bids with Abell directly, bid via telephone or bid online at www.abell.com, LiveAuctioneers.com, or Invaluable.com.
Just to be clear, all of the Bugatti and Delahaye full-size cars were auctioned off or donated last year.
Four of the Mullin Museum’s most iconic vehicles were donated to the Petersen Automotive Museum, of which Peter Mullin had been chairman: the 1937 Talbot-Lago T150 CS “Teardrop,” the 1938 Hispano-Suiza H6B Dubonnet Xenia, the 1939 Delahaye 165, and the 1938 Delahaye 145.
Much of the remaining collection was auctioned off by Gooding & Co., which drove 115 lots over the ramp April 26 at the former Mullin Automotive Museum in Oxnard, California, and Bonhams.
