Dean Failey, left, with John Hayes
:Using the adage, "How time flies when you are having fun," Dean Failey addressed a gathering of 67 people who attended a special dinner at Christie's headquarters on Tuesday evening, January 19. The event, part of a busy Americana Week in New York City, honored Dean for his long career with the auction house, a time that spanned 30 years.
"It was always rewarding and fun," he said and gave a blanket "'thank you" to those he worked with on a day to day basis and those he met along the way, both consignors and friends.
Edward Dolman, chief executive officer of Christie's; Stephen Lash, chairman of Christie's; Margot Rosenberg, head of the American furniture, folk art and decorative arts department; and John Hayes, deputy chairman of Christie's, all showered Dean with kind words, including a few "roasts" from John. All stressed the high standards Dean set for himself while at Christie's and the devotion he had to the auction house. He came to Christie's as the first head of the American furniture department.
This was not a real farewell dinner for Dean, but one of appreciation. He is still going to be associated with Christie's, not on a real daily basis, but as John Hayes calls it, "He is our new Ralph Carpenter."
