LOS ANGELES, CA.- John Moran Auctioneers presented their Spring California & American Fine Art auction on Tuesday, May 9th, 2023. The selection featured fresh-to-market artworks from private and public collections throughout California, the Southwest, as well as a group of important early California works deaccessioned by the Jonathan Art Foundation of Los Angeles, CA. Leading the sale were works by Edgar Alwin Payne, Sydney Mortimer Laurence, John Marshall Gamble, Marion Wachtel, Carl Oscar Borg, and Charles Reiffel.

A favorite among collectors, Edgar Alwin Payne proved once again that his early American works are timeless. First to come up was lot 42, Fishing Boats West Coast of France. This painting was originally valued at $30,000-40,000 but the winning bidder blew that estimate right out of the water with a $59,375 (including buyer’s premium) bid. Then, lot 120 was Sierra Trails Temple Crags, with a $40,000-60,000 estimate. After major interest was shown online and through phone bids, this mountainous landscape brought in $62,500 (including buyer’s premium).

Another favorite early American landscape painter featured in the sale was Sydney Mortimer Laurence (1865-1940). Lot 31 offered his work, Mount McKinley, estimated at $20,000-30,000. This stunning view, done in an array of calming blue tones, hammered in $43,750 (including buyer’s premium).

There were two works by the well-known Santa Barbara artist, John Marshall Gamble. Of the two, lot 91, Wild Lilac – Santa Barbara, estimated $20,000-30,000, proved to be the more coveted by collectors. This plein-air painting left the block for $34,375 (including buyer’s premium).

Lot 129, Houses And Street Glimpsed Through Dense Trees, by Clara Jane Stephens was definitely one of the biggest surprises of the auction. Starting with a modest $1,000-1,500 estimate, her work achieved a whopping $17,500 (including buyer’s premium)!

One of the few Pennsylvania impressionist artists from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, was lot 27, Walter Emerson Baum. His work, Road Across The Creek, 1926, well surpassed its estimate of $7,000-9,000, bringing in $13,750 (including buyer’s premium).

Another noteworthy moment in the auction happened with lot 119. Palisade Glacier, by Paul Grimm achieved $7,500 (including buyer’s premium), originally estimated $2,000-3,000.