Wolfred Charles Attal Jr.

On July 23, 2025, Austin lost one of its leading citizens, Lucky Attal. Lucky was one of the most respected and knowledgeable collectors of fine art, antiques & vintage jewelry in the country. For nearly seven decades, Texas families and businesses relied on his expertise to evaluate estates, appraise collections and acquire fine art. His death leaves a void that will be difficult, if not impossible, to fill.

Lucky’s grandfather, Shikrey Joseph, emigrated, along with his brothers, to the United States in the 1890s and quickly established themselves as astute businessmen. Wolfred Charles “Lucky” Attal, Jr was born on September 18, 1942 to Wolfred, Sr. and Martha Attal (Shikrey’s daughter). His grandfather, upon meeting his new grandson for the first time, exclaimed, “He’s going to be one lucky boy.” Thereafter, he was known as Lucky.

Lucky grew up in the Hyde Park area of Austin, the youngest of four children. He attended Austin High School and St. Edward’s University. He met Cathy Burke, the youngest of ten children from a large Irish family. Cathy, after hearing his name, decided she wanted to meet that guy named Lucky! After a double date with Lucky’s cousin and Cathy’s classmate, it was love at first sight. They married four years later at St. Mary’s Cathedral in downtown Austin on November 23, 1963. Due to the tragic events of the previous day, the honeymoon plans were cancelled, and they spent that time enjoying family and friends.

After graduating from St. Edward’s, Lucky thought of becoming a criminal defense attorney, but after buying a glass bowl for 50 cents at a garage sale and selling it to an antique dealer for 100 dollars, he decided he could make a living buying and selling antiques. Encouraged by Cathy, they opened their first business, Attal Antiques, on Burnet Road, then quickly moved to a location on 12th & Guadalupe in the beautiful Houghton House; where they changed the name to Southwest Antique Gallery. His daughter Jennifer would often accompany him to work there and began to learn the business starting at the early age of 4. Southwest Antique Gallery then moved into their permanent location on Red River, North of the University of Texas campus, where Cathy and his children (Jennifer, Charles and Jeff) often worked with him. It was the perfect setting for customers to come in and enjoy the treasures.

Lucky and Cathy were a perfect partnership, not only in love, but in business. Cathy, who had a gift for bookkeeping, detail and organization, was responsible for accounting and kept track of their ever-growing inventory and business. This allowed Lucky to pursue his work of collecting and researching (which Cathy said was really his fun!). His love of history provided provenance for his customers and earned Lucky an unmatched reputation for expertise. His astute eye and personal magnetism gained him an ever-widening clientele that spanned Texas and beyond.

Lucky passed the rigorous exams to become a member of the American Society of Appraisers, where he later served as President of the South Texas Chapter from 1984 -86 and also served on the Board of Directors for the Austin Chapter, 1987-1991. Other memberships include: Texas State Historical Association, American Historical Print Collectors Society, Texas Historical Foundation, Texas Fine Arts Association and CASETA (Center for the Advancement and Study of early Texas Art.)

Lucky appeared on the PBS series “Antiques Roadshow” three times - once appraising a rare menu with a hand-written letter signed by Will Rogers (with a small drawing by Rogers) and signatures of several Hollywood stars and other well-known celebrities. One of his prized possessions was Samuel Clemons’ (better known as the renowned American writer and humorist Mark Twain) monkeywood chair, where Clemons penned his beloved novels. Lucky often invited guests to sit in the chair and would ask them if they “felt inspired”.

People of all realms sought his expertise for appraisals. Some of his more interesting appraisals include: Art & Artifacts in the Alamo, San Antonio; Period furniture in the Texas State Capitol; Texas Memorial Museum; Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas; Texas A&M University; Baylor University (including the Governor Bill and Vara Daniels’ Historic Village from Liberty, Texas); St. Edward’s University; Texas State University, (including the Bill Wittliff Collection); Bob Bullock Museum; Daughters of the Republic of Texas Museum; Texas State Comptroller’s Office; Alabama Department of Revenue and Colorado State Treasury, where he would appraise over 120,000 to 190,000 items per year; Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; USAA, Internal Revenue Service. He also appraised multiple items in private estates per year for the major banks and trust departments in Austin, Houston and surrounding towns.

Lucky also gave generously of his time to many organizations and charities often appraising or speaking at their functions, including The Austin Woman’s Club, The Settlement Club, as well as the Women’s Symphony League, and many others.

Lucky and Cathy were blessed with three wonderful children: Jennifer, Charles & Jeff. Although the family spent their early years in the Tarrytown area of Austin, Lucky and Cathy moved their family near Buda, so that they could be raised in the country and not have the social pressures of the times. The lovely family times spent there in their home (featured in Austin Homes and Gardens magazine) built out of 90% historical architectural antiques collected through the years are too numerous to list. Most time was spent as a family, especially enjoying all holidays and family celebrations together often centered around food, music, and the pool. Lucky was a very active dad and he, and sometimes Cathy, coached both Charles and Jeff’s Little League and Pony League teams. Lucky treasured his time with his family and his children.

As his reputation grew, Lucky was called on to conduct estate sales. Customers lined up from the front door (sometimes as early as midnight before the sale opened), gathering down the sidewalk and around the corner, waiting for a chance to visit the wonderland of beautiful and curious items inside. The Attal children worked at these sales learning how to conduct business and visiting with customers, which in turn made them very successful in their pursuits as they became adults. Before computers became available, Cathy used a large green ledger to itemize codes of each item, no matter how small. She made sure all the figures added up correctly – no small task as these were usually three-day events, over 11 hours per day.

Lucky was gifted with a discriminating eye and spent a lifetime perfecting his craft. He instilled in his children a strong work ethic. He was known for his quiet sense of humor, very high morals, trustworthiness and his amazing business acumen. Lucky was a spiritual man of faith and a loving and caring friend. He was a family man who delighted in taking family trips; especially to the Bahamas and Las Vegas - both family rites of passage! Lucky and Cathy were thrilled to host their grandson’s wedding this past spring and were looking forward to the birth of their first great-grandson – who was just born and named Lucky! Great-grandpa was told that the baby would be given his name before passing and was incredibly honored and overwhelmed with joy. The family is extremely comforted as through family, his legacy continues on.

Nothing compared to the love he had for Cathy and his family. Lucky fondly called Cathy “Katy.” She was his soulmate, Number One sweetheart, and business partner. He looked forward to his daily slice (or two) of her fresh pear cake, which she baked once a week. When asked the secret to their long life and marriage, they would both answer “never go to bed angry and always put each other and family first.”

Lucky is survived by his wife, Cathy Burke Attal; children Jennifer Attal Allen; Wolfred Charles Attal, III; Jeffrey Christopher Attal, and his wife Laura Attal; grandchildren Sled Allen, and his wife Sophie Allen, Jeffrey Attal, Jr; Calder Allen; Gemma Attal, Milla Attal; and Amy Corbin (Mother of Gemma and Milla), Bale Allen (Father of Sled and Calder Allen), and newly born great grandson, Lucky Allen. They will always have in their hearts the love and encouragement from this dear man and the wonderful stories and wisdom he would share. He will be greatly missed.

Lucky, indeed, was lucky!

A private Celebration of Life is being planned.

The family would like to give special thanks to Dr Rani Das, Hospice Austin and Assisting Hands for all of their help during Lucky’s final days.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in his honor to support Hospice Austin located at 4107 Spicewood Springs Road, Austin, Texas 78759 or The Settlement Home located at 1600 Payton Gin Road, Austin, Texas 78758.