Our Estate Sale Friends

John Conaty Revisited

A fellow collector, dealer and liquidator of sorts: John Conaty, has left us recently and we would like to share a bit of our memories of him, while at the same time maybe motivating each of you to donate money to his two young sons' benefit account (info at the bottom).

He was a large man with a swaggering walk, slow and almost lazy, like there was never any hurry in the world worth getting worked up over. No collectible important enough or worth enough money to get himself in a shambles over, no meeting or sale worthy of coming before his good mood or lack of.

He had a way about him that made women stare and wonder, made men want to learn his secrets and copy his traits. He trained many a dealer and assistant here in Sacramento, some carried on to become mid-century modern dealers themselves competing against John for the same clients but somehow never having the same knack, or knowledge that he possessed nor reputation he stood up to.

Some tried to be like him and ended up showing a sad second. Others tried to befriend him only to be snubbed or ignored until he had the time and incentive to get close to them or share his valuable time and knowledge with them and their friends. John had a fairly good grasp on what mattered and was important; Spencer and Roman, and although he was no better than the rest of us single parents at setting his priorities and sticking to them, he loved his boys and would have done anything he could to please them.

If John was guilty of anything, it would be thinking too much and spinning his wheels too often like the rest of us dealers, collectors and hoarders of goods. He often would miss an important apt. with the boys teachers or care takers trying to chase down a lead or grab a certain sought after item for a friend or partner. Like the rest of us, he chased many a wild goose and regretted the times the leads led him nowhere and he would stew in his decision to go to a sale versus spending time with the boys.

My all time favorite John Conaty story was when a fellow I know who collected records went up north to John's house to buy part of his rare and coveted record collection. As story has it, there, spread out on the floor in the den of his home lay thousands of extremely rare and valuable rock and roll lps in covers that this man had only seen in print or online, never in person. John strode over the tops of the record albums without a care, stepping right on top of each like they were no more valuable than gravel on a walkway. The friend of mine was so in awe of this mountain of a man thinking nothing of the value or money chanced to lose, rather going about his business in a nonchalant manner, smoking a cigarette in one hand while running the other giant paw through his long blond locks.

When we think of John, and I speak for many a liquidator, seller or dealer in town, we will think of a hardy laugh, a squinted smile, and a sly bit of a sneer he would leave you with as he hopped into his old worn out van with his waiting pooch loyally sitting in the front seat hoping for a pet from one of those giant paws. We will remember him pushing gems out of the seat to make room for a passenger, shoving treasures aside to make room for just one more item to sell at his and Dave's shop. We'll remember his swagger, his hunched shoulders trying to be shorter than he was, his long Bermuda shorts, making an effort to cover his long gawky legs above his socks and tennis shoes. We'll think of John and smile as all the memories run into one thought. John Conaty: A father, husband, boyfriend, partner, collector, buyer, seller, trader, listener and laugher and teacher, making us smile with the memory of him.

Goodbye John
We'll miss you

Mark Fahey of the Time Bandits Remembers

When Geoff and I were in our second year of Time Bandits we came across two odd metal objects that looked as though they were fresh from the set of a 1930's Frankinstien film. We both thought of John and decided to give them to him.

John was so truly excited by these things when we gave them to him, he just kept staring at them and saying, "What the hell are they?" He was as perplexed as we were by them, but just happy and delighted to get them. He asked how much we wanted for them, or what we wanted in trade. We said we wanted nothing, as his kindness and help in the past had been plenty. He seemed very surprised, smiled, thanked us, and drove away with the pieces.

Months later John called out of the blue and asked me to meet him at his warehouse in Wilton. I did, It was a hot summer day and he was wanting to move things around and also out. We talked for a while. He had never really opened up too much before but on this day as we walked through the entire place - every room, yard, and loft - he told me the history of so much of the pieces, the Hollywood props, the one of a kind John Keel chairs, the crazy things he cherished, and the things he wished he never would have laid eyes on. He gave me many things that I tried to politely refuse but he insisted. He told me that Geoff and I had been kind to him and reminded him a little of himself years back. I told him that I could only hope someday to have the knowledge and talent he represented. He laughed and told me it was a sickness and that I was already infected for life. When we were leaving John was holding his little dog he had. He said" I really don't like dogs but this one is different, I really love the little guy."

Geoff and I had 4 very good years selling only Mid-Century Modern as Time Bandits, but never did we ever forget that the true master collector was out there rummaging through some garage about to find the ultimate piece to make us all gasp with glee!

Geoff and I will always be grateful to John because he treated these two 'wet behind the ears' guys with respect, always taking the time to be kind. He will be missed.

Mark Fahey

Donations

Any donations for the boys education or care fund may be directed to Acct# 013231253 Spencer and Roman Conaty Benefit Fund El Dorado Savings 4040 El Dorado Rd
Placerville 95887