John Moran Auctioneers kicked off 2006 by setting new world records for two artists at its February 28 sale of Californian and American paintings. More than 600 registered bidders vied for more than 250 lots of fine art, which were on the block. The bidders were split about equally between the floor and the Internet. Prices realized overall were solid throughout the sale, with the majority landing within estimate. There were, however, a few exciting surprises.

Perhaps it was owner and auctioneer John Moran’s continual reminder to the bidding crowd that “it’s only money” that kept the increments escalating to set new world records for artists Hanson Duvall Puthuff (California, 1875-1972) and Benjamin Chambers Brown (California, 1965-1942). It was fairly early in the sale when the first record was broken. A signed oil on canvas by Puthuff titled “Morning in June” hit the floor with an estimate of $60/80,000. Competitive bidding quickly escalated the final selling price to $79,100 setting a new record for the sale of this artist’s work at auction. Prior to this sale, the highest amount paid for his work at auction was $57,500.

Also setting a new world record was the hammer price of $56,500 for Benjamin Chamber Brown’s “Spring in Topanga.”

Just about 45 minutes later, the hammer dropped on anotherworld record when a signed oil on canvas by Brown titled “Spring inTopanga” sold for $56,500, well above its high estimate of $35,000.The previous highest price realized for a work by this artist was$45,000 at Sotheby’s New York.

John Moran has a habit of breaking records. In 2001, the firm set the world auction record for the sale of a painting by a California artist when Guy Rose’s “Early Morning, Summertime” realized $1.2 million.

Also of note at this sale was an oil on board by William Aiken Walker (1832-1921). Titled “Family at Southern Plantation Cabin,” this work came to the floor with an estimate of $10/15,000. The bidding opened at $5,000 and quickly rose to its final selling price of $25,425 to a floor bidder. This lot was followed shortly by “March Morning” by John M. Gamble (California, 1863-1957). With a presale estimate of $100/150,000, it did not take long for this painting to hammer above its high estimate at $169,500.

Granville Redmond (California, 1871-1935) also performed well. His oil on canvas titled “View of Mt Baldy from Cajon Pass,” sold solidly within estimate for $161,000.

William Aiken Walker’s “Family at Southern Plantation,” opened at $5,000 and quickly rose to a final selling price of $25,425, well over high estimate.

John Moran Auctioneers hosts three fine art auctions eachyear. Each sale offers between 250 and 275 California and AmericanImpressionists oil paintings and watercolors painted prior to 1950.The sales are conducted at the Pasadena Convention Center. Allauctions are also conducted live online through eBay LiveAuctions/Live Auctioneers.

Moran’s next fine art auction will take place on June 20, followed by the fall sale on October 17.

Moran also hosts monthly antiques and estate auctions at the Pasadena Convention Center.

Prices listed below include the buyer’s premiums of 15 percent for floor, phone and absentee bidders and 20 percent for Internet bidders. For information, www.johnmoran.com, 626-793-1833 or email info@johnmoran.com.