BEVERLY HILLS, CA.- As the first major auction house in decades to host a Modern and Contemporary art auction in Los Angeles, Heritage Auctions beat the pre-sale estimate at its Modern & Contemporary Art Auction Nov. 30 in Beverly Hills, California with more than $2.3 million in sales. Bidders from around the world competed for the artwork in Beverly Hills pushing numerous lots well beyond their estimates. The sale set world records for artists Paul Jenkins and Ray Johnson.

"This auction announced our new presence in the Los Angeles art community and also within the broader art market, allowing us to expand upon our base of Los Angeles-based experts in Modern & Contemporary Art, Jewelry, Timepieces, Asian Art, Rare & Ancient Coins and Fine Wine," Heritage Auctions Modern & Contemporary Art Director Frank Hettig said. "Hosting this event has been one of our primary goals for some time, and the results met our loftiest expectations, as well as those of our customers."

The top lot in the event was Fernando Botero's 1967 Un Abogado, which nearly doubled its low pre-auction estimate when it realized $396,500. From the estate of famed New York talent agent and TV/film producer Jack Rollins, the painting is signed and dated "Botero 67" in the lower right corner and signed, titled and dated "Un Abogado / Botero 67" on the reverse.

Igor Mitoraj's Untitled is another lot that crushed its pre-auction estimate, finishing at $212,500 — more than four times the high estimate. A bronze statue standing nearly six feet tall, it is inscribed and editioned "Mitorah 1/3."

Auguste Herbin's 1917 Couple Portant Béret et Mantille surpassed its pre-auction expectations, as well, ultimately realizing $193,750. The 11-by-17-inch oil-on-canvas painting is signed "Hermin" in the lower left corner.

Wayne Thiebaud's 2008 Three Cake Slices, which closed at $162,500, is a prime example of the artist's "dedication to repetition and confection," with the three slices that are identical in every way except color/flavor. The painting measures 11-1/4 inches by 9-1/8 inches and is signed and dated "Thiebaud 2008" in the upper left corner.

Gottfried Helnwein's 2005 Boulevard of Broken Dreams, James Dean is an extraordinary image of the iconic actor that climbed to $121,875, more than 50 percent above its low pre-auction estimate. Standing nearly 80 inches tall and measuring 55 inches wide, it is signed, dated and inscribed "Los Angeles / 2005 / G. Helnwein / 2005" on the reverse.

One of the most compelling lots in the auction was Duane Hanson's 1983 Baby in Carriage, which finished at $100,000. Captivating to observers, both on-line and in person, this mixed media lot is polyvinyl and polychromed in oil, achieving a stunning level of realism.

The auction featured new world auction records for a pair of artists:

· Paul Jenkins' 1975 Phenomena Blue Rules the Day: $93,750

· Ray Johnson's 1958 Vines: $32,500

Other top lots included, but were not limited to:

· Gunther Gerzso's 1953 Strata III: $62,500

· Ken Price's 1971 Lizard Cup: $28,750

· Eddie Martinez' 2014 United States $11,250