Trusts & Estates
OUR HISTORY • SINCE 1969
Nearly Six Decades People. Collections. Expertise. Discovery.
For nearly six decades, Moran’s has built its reputation not simply by selling valuable things, but by recognizing what makes an object, an artist, a collection or a story matter, and then finding the audience for it.
1969
1973
1984
1987
1998
2001
2005
John Moran Founds the Company
A Pasadena auction business built on personal relationships, expertise and a willingness to see potential where others may not.
A Permanent Pasadena Home
A home on South Lake Avenue deepens ties to the collectors, dealers and families of Southern California.
The Steve McQueen Estate
A multi-day sale in Las Vegas draws thousands and brings Moran’s to a national audience.
California & American Fine Art
The first dedicated auction begins building the collecting market for California Impressionism.
Jewelry & Timepiece Department
Dedicated specialists bring gemological knowledge and an international buyer base.
Guy Rose, Early Morning, Summertime
At $1,210,000, Moran’s becomes the first auction house to sell a work by a California artist for more than $1 million.
Moran’s Goes Online
Online catalogues open every sale to domestic and international bidders abroad.
T R U S T S & E S TAT E S
Contents
Guidance for attorneys, fiduciaries, trustees, and families.
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JOHN MORAN AUCTIONEERS & APPRAISERS
01
Welcome
5
02
Our Services
6
03
Trusts & Estates
9
04
Your Team
10
Consigning Property
13
Appraisals
14
Valuation
16
Marketing
19
Our Specialists
20
Highlights
22
Contact Us
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PERSONAL BY DESIGN
SOLUTIONS FOR EVERY ESTATE
WAYS TO WORK WITH MORAN’S
YOUR PERSONAL PROPERTY PARTNERS
05
THE ART OF THE AUCTION
06
PROFESSIONAL APPRAISAL SERVICES
07
VALUATION & COLLECTION SERVICES
08
REACHING THE RIGHT BUYERS
09
MEET THE SPECIALISTS
10
RESULTS ACHIEVED
11
CONNECT WITH OUR TEAM
TRUSTS & ESTATES
5
Editorial image from our California and American Fine Art sale
Approachability, transparency, and honesty guide every relationship and every recommendation.
01
WELCOME
Personal by Design
Independent by choice. Trusted for more than 55 years.
For more than 55 years, John Moran Auctioneers has earned the trust of collectors, attorneys, fiduciaries, trustees, and executors through an unwavering commitment to approachability, transparency, and honesty. These principles guide every client relationship and every recommendation we make. Bringing together buyers and sellers of estate items including fine art, decorative arts, silver, jewelry, watches, luxury collections, and other fine furnishings, Moran’s provides a customizable, boutique approach to consignment, estate, and appraisal services. We combine personalized attention with the highest professional standards, delivering thoughtful guidance and tailored solutions for every client and every collection.
55 +
300 +
1969
years in business
years of combined experience
founded in Southern California
TRUSTS & ESTATES
7
02
OUR SERVICES
Solutions for Every Estate Concierge service tailored to your needs.
Every estate presents unique opportunities, challenges, timelines, and objectives. John Moran Auctioneers works alongside attorneys, fiduciaries, trustees, executors, wealth managers, and estate representatives to develop customized strategies for the appraisal, management, and disposition of personal property. Whether coordinating the sale of a single artwork or managing the contents of an entire estate, we tailor our services to meet the unique needs of every client, regardless of location and within virtually any timeline. From initial consultation through final settlement, our experienced specialists provide thoughtful guidance, responsive communication, and seamless project management, simplifying complex collections while maximizing value.
OUR CONCIERGE SERVICES INCLUDE
PROPERTY WE HANDLE
Auction & Private Sale Strategies
Fine Art
USPAP-Compliant Appraisals
Jewelry & Watches
Collection Inventory & Documentation
Silver
Gemological Testing
Decorative Arts
Authentication & Research
Furniture
Temporary Storage Coordination
Luxury Accessories & Handbags
Shipping & Logistics Management
Native American Art + Design
Estate Clean-Out Coordination
Asian Art + Design
Charitable Donation Guidance
Latin American Art + Design
Estate & Trust Consultation
Collectibles Automobiles
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JOHN MORAN AUCTIONEERS & APPRAISERS
Editorial image from our Traditional Collector sale
Every estate is unique. Every solution is tailored.
Editorial image from our Art of the American West sale
Every collection tells a story. Our role is to honor it, and to place it well.
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T R U S T S & E S TAT E S
Ways to Work with Moran’s Tailored options for selling, valuing, and stewarding collections.
Public Auction
Transparent, competitive marketplace that connects property with qualified buyers worldwide and establishes fair market value through open bidding.
Professional Appraisals
USPAP-compliant valuation reports for estate planning, trust administration, probate, charitable giving, insurance, and tax reporting.
Private Sales
Discreet, targeted transactions for clients who prioritize confidentiality, timing, or a specific buyer.
Collection Consultation
Holistic review of collections, identifying key works and recommending services such as authentication, gemological testing, conservation, and specialist referrals.
TRUSTS & ESTATES
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04
YOUR TEAM
Your Personal Property Partners Successful estate administration requires more than expertise. It requires thoughtful execution. We begin by understanding the goals and priorities of everyone involved, then develop a tailored plan and coordinate each step of the personal property process, allowing attorneys, fiduciaries, and families to move forward with confidence.
Morgana Blackwelder, ISA AM SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
MANAGING DIRECTOR, TRUSTS & ESTATES
Maranda Moran, ISA AM VICE PRESIDENT
DIRECTOR OF TRUSTS & ESTATES
Julia Kelley
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST TRUSTS & ESTATES
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JOHN MORAN AUCTIONEERS & APPRAISERS
Editorial image from our Art + Design sale
Every estate is a partnership built on trust, discretion, and expertise you can rely on.
Editorial image from our Latin American Art + Design sale
Every object, presented in its best light.
05
CONSIGNING PROPERTY
The Art of the Auction A seamless consignment experience.
Every consignment follows a carefully managed process designed to simplify the sale of personal property. Whether selling a single object, an important collection, or the contents of an estate, John Moran Auctioneers coordinates every stage of the process, providing responsive communication, experienced guidance, and meticulous attention to detail from beginning to end. Each consignment is presented in the setting best suited to its story and market. Property may be featured in a themed sale devoted to a specific category, presented as a curated collection within a larger auction with dedicated recognition, or showcased in a single-owner sale that honors a collector’s legacy and tells the story you wish to share.
Evaluation
Inventory
Packing & Transport
Photography & Cataloguing
Auction
Proceeds
TRUSTS & ESTATES
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06
APPRAISALS
Professional Appraisal Services Defensible, objective valuations. Trusted guidance. Clear reporting.
When important decisions depend on understanding the value of personal property, experience and professional standards matter. Whether planning for the future, administering an estate, managing a collection, or meeting legal and financial requirements, a professionally prepared appraisal provides the documentation needed to make informed decisions with confidence. Moran’s appraisal team is composed of USPAP-compliant appraisers who maintain membership in leading professional organizations and adhere to the highest standards of ethical practice and professional education.
WHY MORAN’S
• USPAP-compliant, professionally educated appraisers • Members of the American Society of Appraisers (ASA), International Society of Appraisers (ISA), & Appraisers Association of America (AAA) • Real-time market intelligence for informed valuations • Objective, well-documented appraisal reports • Tailored solutions for every assignment, from single works to complex estates
YOUR APPRAISAL SPECIALISTS
Mariam Whitten, ISA AM
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF APPRAISAL SERVICES SAN FRANCISCO, CA
Shannon Dailey, ISA AM APPRAISER LOS ANGELES, CA
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JOHN MORAN AUCTIONEERS & APPRAISERS
Editorial image from our Fine Jewelry sale
Behind every treasured piece is a value worth knowing and a legacy worth protecting.
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V A L U AT I O N
Valuation & Collection Services Documenting, protecting, and planning for personal property over time.
Beyond a single appraisal, John Moran Auctioneers offers ongoing collection management services to help collectors and fiduciaries document, protect, and plan for their personal property over time.
Collection Management & Advisory
Identify significant objects and develop strategies for succession planning, deaccessioning, and long-term stewardship.
Inventory & Documentation
Create professional inventories with descriptions and photography to support estate planning, insurance, future appraisals, and day-to-day collection oversight.
Specialized Collection Services
Coordinate authentication, gemological testing, conservation, and other expert services when needed to prepare works for appraisal or sale.
A well-documented collection is easier to protect, to share, and to pass on.
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JOHN MORAN AUCTIONEERS & APPRAISERS
TYPES OF APPRAISALS
S TA N D A R D S O F VA L U E
Estate & Trust Administration
Fair Market Value
Reflects what an item may sell for in an open market given a willing buyer and seller.
Estate Planning Insurance Coverage
Retail Replacement Value
Equitable Distribution
The highest estimated amount required to buy a substitute item of similar quality, age, condition, and origin within a reasonable time in a suitable retail market.
Damage and Loss Collection Management Charitable Contributions
THE APPRAISAL PROCESS
Complimentary Walk-Through
Time & Cost Estimate
TRUSTS & ESTATES
Schedule
Research & Valuation
Billing
Report
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Editorial image from our Fine Jewelry sale
Precision placement. Global reach. Lasting results.
08
MARKETING
Reaching the Right Buyers Experience and strategy that deliver results.
Exceptional results begin with exceptional presentation. Every auction is supported by a customized marketing strategy designed to place property in front of qualified collectors around the world. Through editorial-quality photography, compelling storytelling, and targeted outreach, we create the visibility that encourages competitive bidding.
CUSTOMIZED MARKETING PLACES YOUR COLLECTION IN FRONT OF QUALIFIED BUYERS WORLDWIDE.
Professional Photography
Research & Cataloguing
Interactive Catalogues
Collector Outreach
Editorial images highlight craftsmanship, condition, and character.
Digital catalogues increase online visibility and discoverability.
TRUSTS & ESTATES
Detailed cataloguing and scholarship build buyer confidence.
Direct outreach to collectors, museums and advisors drives demand.
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09
OUR SPECIALISTS
Meet the Specialists More than 300 years of combined experience.
Our team of specialists brings more than 300 years of combined experience to every consignment. Drawing on backgrounds at prestigious auction houses and institutions across the country, they offer deep expertise in their respective collecting categories and a nuanced understanding of the art market. We are, first and foremost, collectors ourselves. We understand what it takes to present every object, regardless of value, in its best light, from research and cataloguing to photography and promotion. We proudly represent both buyers and sellers with equal enthusiasm, advocating for clients at every stage of the process and striving to create successful outcomes on both sides of the aisle.
Editorial image from The Residence of Tom & Erika Girardi sale
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JOHN MORAN AUCTIONEERS & APPRAISERS
Jeff Moran
Katherine Halligan
Tom Burstein G.G.
DIRECTOR, JEWELRY & WATCHES
Jennifer Kurtz
Kim Jarand
Kelly Sitek G.G.
Angela Past
Matthew Grayson
Robert Cullen
Madison Ari
PRESIDENT
DIRECTOR, NATIVE AMERICAN ART
SENIOR SPECIALIST, FURNITURE & DECORATIVE ARTS
SPECIALIST, FINE ART
TRUSTS & ESTATES
DIRECTOR, FINE ART
DIRECTOR, DECORATIVE ARTS
SENIOR SPECIALIST
SPECIALIST, POST-WAR & CONTEMPORARY DESIGN
ASSOCIATE SPECIALIST, FINE ART
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10
HIGHLIGHTS
Luxury
Jewelry, Watches, Handbags, Accessories, and Collectibles
A Platinum and Diamond Ring
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SOLD: $979,000
A Paulding Farnham for Tiffany & Co. enamel and diamond orchid brooch
Bulgari: An 18k Gold and Ancient Coin ‘Monete’ Necklace
SOLD: $43,750
SOLD: $54,475
A 1965 Porsche 356C Coupe
Patek Philippe & Co. wristwatch
SOLD: $72,000
SOLD: $90,625
Hermès: A Vintage Green Box Calf Leather Kelly Sellier 32 Bag
JOHN MORAN AUCTIONEERS & APPRAISERS
SOLD: $20,320
Editorial image from our Luxury sale
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HIGHLIGHTS
Modern & Contemporary Fine Art + Design
Furniture, Glass, Ceramics, Silver, Jewelry, Sculpture , Textiles
Agnes Pelton (1881-1961) Flowering, 1929
Gertrud and Otto Natzler (1908-1971 and 1908-2007) Vase, 1951
Doyle Lane (1923-2002) Studio tile wall assemblage
SOLD: $571,500
SOLD: $31,250
SOLD: $41,275
Deborah Kay Butterfield (b. 1949) Untitled, (Large Horse), 2013
Alice Baber (1928-1982) Axe in the Grove, 1966
Sam Maloof (1916-2009) Spindle-back rocking chair, 2002
SOLD: $285,750
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SOLD: $275,000
JOHN MORAN AUCTIONEERS & APPRAISERS
SOLD: $40,625
Editorial image from our Modern & Contemporary Fine Art + Design sale
10
HIGHLIGHTS
Latin American Art + Design Fine Art, Silver, Jewelry, Objects, Textiles, Furniture, Colonial and Devotional Art and Objects
Fernando Botero (1932-2023) Couple Dancing, 1980
An Antonio Pineda Olmec-inspired silver fish vase
A William Spratling 18k gold and ebony necklace
SOLD: $381,000
SOLD: $5,312.50
SOLD: $11,430
Victor Brecheret (1894-1955) Tocadora de Guitarra, 1920s
A Mexican Late Classic Period Saltillo sarape
A Matl Virgen de Guadelupe silver santos figure
SOLD: $6,350
SOLD: $25,000
SOLD: $292,100
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JOHN MORAN AUCTIONEERS & APPRAISERS
Editorial image from our Latin American Art + Design sale
10
HIGHLIGHTS
Native American Art + Design Jewelry, Baskets, Beadwork, Textiles, Northwest Coast, Period and Contemporary Native Artwork
A Navajo First Phase Chief’s Blanket SOLD: $1,800,000
Oscar Howe (1915-1983) Camte waste, no no wa (Good Heart Forever) SOLD: $325,000
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Lucy Lewis (1890-1992) A polychrome pottery olla SOLD: $3,810
An early Navajo squash blossom necklace
An Extraordinary Tlingit ‘Oyster Catcher’ Rattle
A monumental Apache pictorial basketry olla
SOLD: $10,000
SOLD: $46,875
SOLD: $22,090
JOHN MORAN AUCTIONEERS & APPRAISERS
Editorial image from our Art of the American West sale
10
HIGHLIGHTS
Silver
American, English, Continental, Latin American, 20th Century, Asian, Object de Virtu
The Vanderbilt Candelabra: Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Candelabra
A Fabergé ruby set silver dragon table lighter
A Lao Yan Qing He silver and gold teapot
SOLD: $15,240
SOLD: $13,750
A collection of Patrick Mavros sterling silver table ornaments
A set of twelve Hayes & McFarland sterling silver ‘Harewood’ dinner plates
A Puiforcat sterling silver ‘Royal’ flatware service
SOLD: $31,750
SOLD: $19,050
SOLD: $292,100
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JOHN MORAN AUCTIONEERS & APPRAISERS
SOLD: $31,750
Editorial image from The Estate of Robert Day sale
10
HIGHLIGHTS
California & Western Art + Design California, Western, and American Fine Art, Sculpture, Prints + Multiples, Turn-of-the-Century Design, Pottery, Lighting, Tack, Furniture
A Frederick H. Rhead & Agnes Rhead / University City Pottery vase SOLD: $570,000
Alson Skinner Clark (1876-1949) The Coffee House (View of the State Street Bridge, Chicago), 1915
Joseph Christian Leyendecker (1874-1951) Lucky Bag Girl, circa 1910 SOLD: $139,700
SOLD: $82,550
Granville Redmond (1871-1935) Wildflower landscape with poppies and lupine
A Brydon Bros. silvermounted parade saddle SOLD: $11,880
SOLD: $180,000
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JOHN MORAN AUCTIONEERS & APPRAISERS
Charles Marion Russell (1864-1926) At the End of the Rope 1919 SOLD: $285,750
Editorial image from our Art of the American West sale
10
HIGHLIGHTS
Asian Art + Design
Porcelain, Textiles, Furniture, Jade, Fine Art, Prints, Bronzes
A pair of Buddhist devotional figures
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SOLD: $312,500
Shiryu Morita (1912 - 1999) Abstract dragon
A Chinese white jade pendant
A large Chinese porcelain fish bowl
SOLD: $13,750
SOLD: $28,125
SOLD: $84,000
JOHN MORAN AUCTIONEERS & APPRAISERS
A pair of Chinese carved hardwood armchairs SOLD: $375,000
A pair of Chinese carved wood and hardstone landscape panels SOLD: $38,100
Editorial image from our Traditional Collector sale
10
HIGHLIGHTS
European Art + Design
Silver, Fine Art, Prints, Glass, Decorative Objects, Furniture, Glass, Rugs & Carpets
Herter Brothers (1864-1906) An American Aesthetic mantel, circa 1880l
A German cuirassier suit of armor SOLD: $31,250
SOLD: $152,400
Cesare Lapini (1848-1893) Innocence tormented by Love, 1893
A Russian enameled 18K yellow gold snuff box SOLD: $18,000
SOLD: $47,625
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JOHN MORAN AUCTIONEERS & APPRAISERS
François Boucher (1703-1770) The Vegetable Vendor SOLD: $81,250
A Russian propaganda porcelain figural group, Soviet Riders SOLD: $14,400
Editorial image from our Traditional Collector sale
Editorial image from our Art + Design sale
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C O N TA C T U S
Personal by Design Independent by Choice Your boutique auction house • since 1969
Moran’s offers the expertise and global reach of a major auction house, without the expense or bureaucracy. Our founder’s legacy of honesty, transparency, and service guides every estate we handle. Thank you for considering us—we look forward to working with you.
FORMAL APPRAISALS
CONSIGNMENTS
Appraisal Services
Trusts & Estates
Written fair market and replacement
Complimentary auction estimates and
value appraisals for estates, trusts,
tailored sale strategies for single items,
insurance, and planning.
collections, and full estates.
Appraisals@johnmoran.com
TrustsandEstates@johnmoran.com
626.628.9344
626.628.9342
Digital Edition
Scan to view the interactive brochure and share it with colleagues and clients.
TRUSTS & ESTATES
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OUR HISTORY • CONTINUED
2012
2015
2019
2020
2022
Navajo First Phase Chief ’s Wearing Blanket
$1.8 million, a world record for a North American textile. It now resides at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Everything Under One Roof
Specialists, cataloguing, photography, storage and salesroom unite in one integrated home.
Fifty Years
Five decades of family-owned auctioneering and more than $500 million in art and luxury property sold.
Trusts & Estates
A dedicated department for the attorneys, fiduciaries, trustees and families entrusted with important property.
San Francisco Office Established
Moran’s opens a San Francisco office focused on the Appraisal Department, extending the company’s hands-on service into Northern California.
2023
2025
2026
A New York Jewelry Office
Moran’s jewelry specialists take their expertise to one of the world’s great jewelry markets.
The Robert A. Day Estate
A carefully curated two-day auction with more than 700 objects achieves 100% sell-through.
A Team of 50
Moran’s has expanded beyond its Southern California roots to become a trusted resource for families, fiduciaries, and collectors nationwide, while remaining independent, family-owned, and committed to personal service and thoughtful solutions.
Know the material, understand the people, and care about the outcome. INDEPENDENT BY CHOICE • PERSONAL BY DESIGN