Art Galleries Chain Shows Gain for Quarter

Martin Lawrence Limited Editions said its profit in the first quarter that ended March 31 rose 19% from a year earlier, to $1.54 million from $1.29 million.

Revenue for the Van Nuys company, a fast-growing chain of art galleries, climbed to $10.3 million, up 22% from $8.05 million in the year-earlier quarter.

Although earnings in the quarter were up from a year earlier, the percentage increase was well below the quarterly increases Martin Lawrence has posted in the past few quarters. In recent quarters, the company has typically posted increases that were 75% to 100% above year-earlier periods.