Landmark Auction: The Estate of Robert Day at John Moran Auctioneers

Tues., July 29^th & Wed., July 30^th, 2025 | 10:00am PDT

LOS ANGELES, June 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — John Moran Auctioneers is proud to announce The Estate of Robert Day, a landmark two-day sale offering over 700 exceptional lots from the collection of one of California’s most influential philanthropists. Taking place Tuesday, July 29th and Wednesday, July 30th, 2025, at 10am PDT, the auction features museum-quality decorative arts and fine art by celebrated names including Montague Dawson, Edgar Payne, William Wendt, and Richard MacDonald. Highlights include a showstopping pair of Tiffany & Co. sterling silver 15-light candelabra and the brand’s ‘Chrysanthemum’ silver gilt flatware service, among many others. 

Robert Addison Day was a pioneering investor, influential philanthropist, and generous civic leader who left an indelible mark on education, science, and the arts. A native Angeleno and 1965 graduate of Claremont McKenna College, Day founded Trust Company of the West in 1971, building it into one of the world’s leading asset management firms. He later led the W. M. Keck Foundation (founded by his grandfather) where, as Chairman and CEO, he oversaw over $2 billion in grants supporting groundbreaking science, medicine, and education across the nation. 

Day’s legacy includes major contributions to USC, Caltech, UCLA, and Claremont McKenna, where his $200 million gift created the Robert Day Scholars Program. Known for his intellect and generosity, he mentored students, shaped institutions like LACMA and the Keck School of Medicine, and led ventures in real estate, private equity, and conservation. Robert Day’s estate reflects a life of refined taste, purpose, and accomplishment. As Mr. Day’s collection now comes to auction, it offers a rare glimpse into the world of the visionary investor and transformative civic leader. 

Among the marquee items are a pair of monumental Tiffany & Co. 15-light candelabra (est. $100,000–150,000) and a 104-piece ‘Chrysanthemum’ pattern silver gilt flatware service (est. $10,000–15,000). Other decorative standouts include a pair of George II-style eagle console tables (est. $8,000–12,000), a Saint-Louis “Thistle” glassware service (est. $4,000–6,000), a pair of Japanese Meiji-era bronze kitsune foxes (est. $4,000–6,000), and a matched pair of Regency carved mahogany wine coolers (est. $2,000–3,000). 

Fine art highlights include Montague Dawson’s The Atlantic Packet Albion (est. $40,000–60,000), Edgar Payne’s San Gabriel Mountains – Jones Peak (est. $20,000–30,000), and Richard MacDonald’s bronze Inspiratio (est. $3,000–5,000). 

To learn more, and register to bid, go to www.johnmoran.com.  

Contact: 

Brenda Smith, John Moran Auctioneers
[email protected] 

SOURCE John Moran Auctioneers