With a 90 percent sell-through rate and a sale total of more than $1.1 million, John Moran Auctioneers’ California & American Fine Art sale on May 5 was a success by all measures, but perhaps the most astonishing outcome was just how many lots tripled and more than quadrupled their pre-sale estimates.
William Henry Singer Jr. (1868-1943), In Spring Time. Oil on canvas, 34 x 31¾ in., signed lower right: W.H. Singer; titled and inscribed verso: ‘No. 18.’ Estimate: $3/5,000 SOLD: $31,750
One of the most notable instances was when William Henry Singer Jr.’s impressionistic landscape In Spring Time realized $31,750 over its high estimate of $5,000.
“We were really thrilled with how well some of the highlights in the California & American Art auction performed for us across a variety of American art categories,” says Katherine Halligan, head of sale and JMA director of fine art. “William Henry Singer Jr. was an American expat working for most of the mature period of his career in the Netherlands and Norway…All six landscapes by Singer included in the May auction sold above estimate but two achieved the world auction records for Singer’s work.” After In Spring Time sold, Winter’s Tender Sun fetched the second-highest price of $20,320 against a presale estimate of $4,000 to $6,000. “We were able to be conservative in our estimates because it is an estate consignment, and that certainly contributed to strong pre-sale interest from collectors domestically and in Europe, but were still very gratified with the results,” says Halligan, adding that additional works by Singer will be among the lots in in upcoming auctions.
Frederick Judd Waugh (1861-1940), Smuggler’s Cove. Oil on Masonite, 40 x 50 in., signed lower right: Waugh; titled in ink on a gallery label affixed verso; titled again in pencil, possibly in another hand, on a prior frame’s backing paper sandwiched between the work and the frame’s backing board. Estimate: $15/25,000 SOLD: $50,800
The sale of luminist Frederick Judd Waugh’s seascape Smuggler’s Cove (est. $15/25,000) was another highlight when bidders pushed the sale result to $50,800. “It is an amazingly beautiful painting in person, with incredible detail in the craggy coastal cliffs and churning waves,” says Halligan. “We knew it was one of the most significant works by the artist to come to auction in many years…but it was still exciting to see how the market responded to it.”
Other sales of note included an 1896 Harper’s Weekly illustration by Howard Pyle titled Citizen Genet Formally Presented to Washington (est. $8/12,000) which sold for $38,100, and Arthur Frank Mathews’ portrait of his wife, artist Lucia Mathews, which ultimately fetched $34,925 against a pre-sale estimate of $10,000 to $15,000.
Howard Pyle (1853-1911), Citizen Genet Formally Presented to Washington, illustration for Harper’s Magazine, 1896. Oil on board, sight: 17 x 11½ in., signed lower right: Pyle; titled on the frame plaque; inscribed partially indistinctly in pencil, presumably in another hand, verso: ‘Nov.13/96 / Proof Nov.20/96.’ Estimate: $8/12,000 SOLD: $38,100
Arthur Frank Mathews (1860-1945), Portrait of Lucia Mathews in Pink Robe. Oil on panel, 17½ x 14 ½ in., unsigned; titled on a label affixed verso. Estimate: $10/15,000 SOLD: $34,925
“A John Moran employee fan favorite was definitely Jessie Arms Botke’s sweet scene of three ducks in a sunflower- and dandelion-filled garden, very likely the artist’s own Santa Paula ranch,” shares Halligan. “We weren’t the only ones that thought this was a special piece. We had strong bidding and the painting sold for $17,780, a great result for the diminutive size and a domestic animal subject. All of the artist’s top prices are for Botke’s exotic birds.”
For Halligan, an increase in overall bidders and new buyers is a strong indicator of an upward trend in the market for traditional American art. “Mid-century California watercolors, which have been in a soft market, sold solidly better than in the recent past, and interest in historic and contemporary California plein air also felt more robust and broader than we’ve seen during the past few auctions,” she says. “We are optimistic as we look to our next California & American Art auction on November 17.” —
Top 10 LOTS
California & American Fine Art, May 5, 2026 (including Buyer’s Premium)
Artist Title Low/High ESt. SOLD
Frederick Judd Waugh Smuggler’s Cove $15/25,000 $50,800
Armin Carl Hansen Return of the Fishing Fleet $40/50,000 $44,450
William Wendt Freshening Breezes $20/30,000 $44,450
Howard Pyle Citizen Genet Formally Presented to Washington $8/12,000 $38,100
Clyde Aspevig In the Mist $15/25,000 $34,925
Arthur Frank Mathews Portrait of Lucia Matthews in Pink Robe $10/15,000 $34,925
Granville Redmond Distant mountains at sunset $12/18,000 $34,925
William Henry Singer Jr. In Spring Time $3/5,000 $31,750
Paul Dougherty Seascape with storm clouds $15/20,000 $21,590
William Henry Singer Jr. Winter’s Tender Sun $4/6,000 $20,320
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