John Moran Auctioneers

About John Moran Auctioneers

John Moran Auctioneers is one of the most established and respected auction houses in Southern California, a family-run firm that has been at the forefront of the California art market for over five decades. Founded in 1969 by John H. Moran, the company pioneered the market for California Impressionist painting and has since expanded into a full-service auction operation covering fine art, jewelry, twentieth-century and contemporary design, and a broad range of decorative arts and antiques.

History and milestones

John Moran's career in the art and antiques trade began long before the founding of his auction house: he spent many years as an antique dealer in Southern California, developing a deep knowledge of California and Western art that would become the intellectual foundation of his firm. After establishing the auction house in 1969, Moran was one of the first auctioneers to recognize and promote the artistic importance of California Impressionism — the body of plein-air landscape painting produced by artists working in California from the late nineteenth century through the mid-twentieth century. His bi-annual California and American Fine Art auction became one of the firm's longest and proudest traditions, establishing Moran as the go-to venue for this category.

In 2001, John Moran made history by becoming the first auctioneer to sell a painting by a California artist for more than one million dollars, when Guy Rose's Early Morning, Summertime hammered at $1,210,000. This milestone cemented the firm's position as the leading marketplace for California art. Another landmark moment came when Moran's was selected to sell the estate of Steve McQueen, the iconic Hollywood actor and avid collector; the multi-day sale at the Imperial Palace Hotel in Las Vegas drew thousands of attendees and generated enormous media attention. The firm also achieved a world-record price of $805,000 for John Peto's Old Time Letter Rack, proving its reach extended well beyond California regionalism.

By 1973, the firm had established a permanent home in Pasadena, California. It has since expanded to a state-of-the-art facility in Old Town Monrovia at 145 East Walnut Avenue, specifically designed with the client experience in mind, featuring spacious preview rooms, professional lighting and modern auction facilities. John's son Jeff Moran now plays a leading role in the firm's operations, maintaining the personal relationships and deep market knowledge that have always defined the company.

Specialist departments

The firm's current specialist departments include California and American Fine Art, Fine Jewelry and Watches, Twentieth Century and Contemporary Design, Asian Art, Native American Art, and general antiques and decorative arts. Sales typically offer two hundred or more lots, featuring fine European and American artworks alongside:

• Silver, bronzes and ceramics
• Furniture, jewelry, watches and clocks
• Metalware and glass
• Oriental rugs

The California Art department remains the flagship, with the bi-annual dedicated sale a fixture of the national auction calendar.

Selling and buying with John Moran

For consignors, John Moran provides complimentary auction estimates and a personalized consultation process, working with individual collectors, estate attorneys, trust officers and institutions throughout Southern California and beyond. Seller commissions are negotiated on a case-by-case basis, and the firm is known for responsive communication and hands-on service. Buyers pay a buyer's premium on top of the hammer price, typically in the range of 25 percent, with complete terms published with each sale catalogue. All lots are available for in-person preview at the Monrovia gallery, and online catalogues feature detailed descriptions, provenance information and high-resolution photography. Online bidding is available through the firm's website and through partners including LiveAuctioneers, Invaluable and Bidsquare, with absentee and telephone bidding accepted for all catalogued sales.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does John Moran Auctioneers sell?

The firm sells California and American art, jewelry, twentieth-century design, Asian art, Native American art and general antiques, in sales that typically offer two hundred or more lots.

What milestone did John Moran achieve in 2001?

It became the first auctioneer to sell a California artist's painting for over one million dollars, when Guy Rose's Early Morning, Summertime hammered at $1,210,000.

What makes John Moran Auctioneers stand out?

It pioneered the California Impressionist market, achieved the first million-dollar California painting sale, sold Steve McQueen's estate, and has been family-owned for over fifty years.