The Paul Morantz Collection

From the estate of well-known Southern California attorney and investigative journalist Paul Morantz comes an incredible collection of original animation art, illustration art, pin-up art, vintage tin toys, Disneyana, ceramics, and more. With over 1000 items, this collection contains something for the collector in all of us and is not to be missed. You won't want to miss this incredible auction.

Paul Morantz was an investigative reporter and lawyer based in Los Angeles, where he specialized in cult and brainwashing cases for over 30 years. In 1974, he uncovered a criminal conspiracy to kidnap skid row alcoholics and sell them to nursing homes to keep them under sedation while Medicare was billed. Morantz testified on nursing home abuses at public hearings and aided the creation of a district attorney task force on nursing home crimes. In 1977, Morantz began a battle to expose Synanon – a drug Rehab program turned violent cult - for civil liability, brainwashing, and criminal conspiracy to commit terrorism against its enemies. In 1978, Synanon retaliated on Morantz by placing a de-rattled snake in his mailbox, which bit him. He survived after a six-day hospital stay, and the incident sparked Investigations that led to the arrests of Synanon conspirators. Morantz became a consultant to the U. S. Department of Justice in a tax case against Synanon that eventually shut the organization down. On top of these and many similar investigations and prosecutions, he was a freelance writer for magazines like Rolling Stone, L.A. Magazine, and Coast, and wrote the CBS TV Movie of the Week “Deadman’s Curve,” the story of surf-rock stars Jan and Dean, which is ironically referred to by many as a “cult” classic.

Paul Morantz was also a collector. He began by visiting swap meets with his wife of over 40 years, picking up a piece here and a piece there that meant something to him, whether it was a favorite artist, cartoon character, or a toy from his childhood. Over time his collection grew into a literal visual history of illustration art, toys, watches, and Disneyana. It is his family's wish that the pieces in The Paul Morantz Collection find homes with collectors who will cherish them as Paul did.