Bonhams 40th anniversary California and Western Art sale proved a memorable occasion in Los Angeles on Tuesday 13 October, realising a total of $3,635,033 with 80% of the works finding new owners and several exceeding their estimates. A new world record for a painting by Arthur Mathews at auction was set when Monterey sold for $500,075 having been estimated at (estimate $300,000-500,000). This betters the previous auction record of $104,500, set in 2004, and was one of three new world records established in the sale.

Arthur Mathews (1860-1945) played a pivotal role in the development of California Art and is regarded as one of California's greatest painters. Mathews' large paintings of the Monterey coast rarely appear at auction and Monterey is considered to be an example of the artist's style at its finest.

Other highlights included:

• View of Wood's Cove, Rockledge by Guy Rose (1867-1925). Sold for $560,075 (estimate $400,000-600,000).
• Hunters in the Canyon by Ernest Hennings (1886-1956). Sold for $425,075 (estimate $350,550)
• Flickering Sunlight by William Wendt (1865-1946). Sold for $137,575 (estimate $60,000-80,000)
• Landscape with Three Figures by David H. Ligare (born 1945). Sold for $52,580 (estimate $10,000-15,000). A new world auction record. (Previous world record $34,350 in 2013).
• Rosco by David Bates (born 1952). Sold for $22,500 (estimate $5,000-7,000). A new world record for sculpture by the artist. (Previous world record US20,000 in 2017).

Bonhams Director of California and Western Art, Scot Levitt, says; "For 40 years now, Bonhams has consistently led the market for California and Western art, promoting it beyond a regional collecting category and establishing its place within the larger context of American art history. We wanted this sale to be special and to encapsulate our achievements over the past four decades. I think the great results – especially the new world auction record for Arthur Mathews' wonderful Monterey – show that we have succeeded."