JOHN MORAN’S JUNE 2007 CALIFORNIA AND AMERICAN PAINTINGS SALE POISED TO TOPPLE WORLD RECORDS — AGAIN asadena, CA – On February 20th, 2007, John Moran Auctioneers drew the attention the art world by setting 14 new world records at their California and American paintings sale— which also was the highes
The second work by this artist will follow a bit later in the sale. The stunning “Drying chili peppers, North County, San Diego,” is estimated to bring $25,000 to $35,000.
A new world record for New Mexico artist Gene Kloss (1903 – 1996) may be set by her watercolor on paper depicting an Indian dance procession in an adobe plaza. Estimated to bring $10,000 to $15,000, the highest price for this artist was realized just last November at Santa Fe Art Auction when “Rio Grande” sold for $14,400.
John Moran Auctioneers established the second highest price for California artist Rex Brandt (1914-2000) when they sold “Skiing About Yosemite” in October 2004 for $12,400 (the record for this artist is $13,100). On June 20th, his watercolor “La Jolla 3” will be offered with an estimate of $8,000 to $12,000.
Moran hopes to break their own world record for Hernando G. Villa (1881-1952) with “Spanish Dancer,” an oil on canvas estimated to bring $12,000 to $18,000. It was Villa’s “Bolero” that served as the grand finale at their February sale, when it came to the block with an estimate of $3,000 to $5,000 but generated a bidding war with prices escalating to a record breaking $26,000.
Among the other exciting offerings is “Colossal Erosions” by California artist Hanson D. Puthuff (1875 – 1972). It is estimated to sell for $80,000 to $100,000. Moran holds the record for the artist, set at its October 2006 auction when it sold “Grand Canyon Scene #5” for $345,000.
“Los Angeles City Hall from Bunker Hill” by Emil Kosa, Jr. (California 1903-1968) will also be interesting to watch. This is an excellent example of the California Style watercolorist’s work, clearly displaying his passion for this medium. Kosa, who worked as an artist for 20th Century Fox Studios for 25 years, was awarded an Oscar for his special effects work on the motion picture “Cleopatra.” “Los Angeles City Hall from Bunker Hill is estimated to bring $20,000 to $30,000.
John Moran Auctioneers California and American Paintings Sale will begin promptly at 6:30pm at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, CA. Preview will begin at 12 noon. Bidding for this sale is available from the floor, by phone and absentee as well as online via eBay Live Auctions/Live Auctioneers. A fully illustrated catalog of this sale will is available on their website. For more information on this important sale, please call the offices of John Moran Auctioneers at (626) 793-1833 or visit their website at www.johnmoran.com
