John Ross estate sale ONE DAY ONLY 22 Aug 2009

Subject: John Ross estate sale
From: Deckman
Date: 07 Aug 09 - 07:18 PM

I have been informed that the estate of the late John Ross, Seattle, will be sold at public auction on Saturday and Sunday, August 22 and 23, 2009. Interested parties should know that serious efforts are underway to save his archiving projects intact. Please feel free to contact me by PM with any questions or concerns. Following is the posting of the estate sale from the attormeys representing the family survivors. Bob(deckman)Nelson


John Ross Estate Sale for General Public, August 22 and 23 at 4222 Interlake Avenue North, Seattle.
John left an eclectic collection of items he devoted his life to: folk music, folk lore, computer technology, literature, broadcasting, radio, recording, networks, telecommunication, popular culture and local history consisting of records, books, recordings, equipment and art.   All of these items and other surprising and insightful gems of personal possessions will be for sale to the general public. Cash trumps checks. Welcome all!

Maggie Allen, Paralegal
BRISLAWN LOFTON, PLLC
3450 Carillon Point, Kirkland, WA 98033
[phone] [phone] FAX
[e-mail]
www.brislawnlofton.com

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Subject: RE: John Ross estate sale
From: Deckman
Date: 08 Aug 09 - 05:34 PM

Subject: RE: John Ross estate sale
From: Charley Noble
Date: 08 Aug 09 - 10:56 PM

Deckman-

Would you remind those of us who are out of state who John Ross was?

By the way I'll be out your way in late September again and we should get together.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: John Ross estate sale
From: katlaughing
Date: 08 Aug 09 - 11:59 PM

He was a Mudcatter and incredible folk music collector as well we much more. Here is his OBIT THREAD on Mudcat.

Roope, I really hope his collection can remain intact. This seems a sad way for things to end up.

kat

Subject: RE: John Ross estate sale
From: maeve
Date: 09 Aug 09 - 06:16 AM

Is there anything we can do to help get the collections to appropriate archives?

maeve

Subject: RE: John Ross estate sale
From: Deckman
Date: 09 Aug 09 - 08:46 AM

There are several individuals and orginizations working together to secure John's complete collection. At this point, I am ENCOURAGED that we will be successful. The law firm handling the estate sale appreciates the value of John's lifetime of work and is working with us to that end. Negotiations are going on now. I don't want to speak further at this point. As soon as I know more, I will post to this thread. Bob(deckman)Nelson

Subject: RE: John Ross estate sale
From: Deckman
Date: 09 Aug 09 - 09:49 AM

I thought I would try to add something of a personal perspective about John:

He was a walking encyclopedia of anything relating to folk music. While I often heard him hum a little under his breath while someone sang a song, I didn't know him as a musician. Mention any known folksinger, as well as unknown, and you might well get a lecture that detailed everything about that person's life, career, recording history, what his grandmother had for breakfast, etc!

He lived pretty much as a recluse. I spent many hours with him last Fall as he coached me on my archiving project. He was very informed and was seriously dedicated to archiving projects. He recognized the value of my collection and knew no bounds in helping me along.

He was a strong force in the Seattle folk music community ... everyone knew of him and he knew everyone. I believe he was one of the founders (?) of the Seattle Folklore Society, as well as the Pacific Northwest Folkfestival.

He is missed. Bob(deckman)Nelson

Subject: RE: John Ross estate sale
From: maeve
Date: 09 Aug 09 - 10:57 AM

Thank you, Bob.

maeve

Subject: RE: John Ross estate sale
From: Deckman
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 09:58 AM

refresh please

Subject: RE: John Ross estate sale
From: Deckman
Date: 11 Aug 09 - 08:32 AM

refresh please

Subject: RE: John Ross estate sale
From: maeve
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 07:13 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: John Ross estate sale
From: Deckman
Date: 17 Aug 09 - 09:16 PM

Bob Nelson here, in the Seattle area. I've just returned from a "work party" at the late John Ross' home, in Wallingford. We haved saved his life's collection of folk music intact. This includes hundreds of vinyl records, hundreds of R/R tapes. He left the beginnings of a will, but it was never completed 'nor filed.

What is happening with his material right now is only a temporary answer. It's going to a dry storage area until a final destination can be found. Then comes the impossible part of the task ... finding people with the equipment, skills and knowledge, and desire and time to digitze everything. After that comes the payoff ... the public dissemination.

I want to alert Seattle area folks that John Ross' estate sale will start this Saturday at 9:00 (I think). John's address in the Wallingford district is 4222 Interlake, Seattle.

I understand that his second cousin, from the East coast, will be present, representing the estate.

I can't close this note without a caution to us all ... BE SURE TO LEAVE A WILL!

CHEERS, Bob(Deckman)Nelson

Subject: RE: John Ross estate sale
From: maeve
Date: 17 Aug 09 - 09:55 PM

Good news, Bob.

maeve

Subject: RE: John Ross estate sale
From: Jon Bartlett
Date: 17 Aug 09 - 10:59 PM

One time when Rika and I were visiting John he poured for us a glass or two of his own cider. Like everything else in John's life that I knew of, it was full of Quality. Whatever he turned his hand to or acquired, it seemed, he managed to find the Quality.

If he had some of that cider stored, I'd love to buy a bottle to drink, with others who knew him,in his memory. Is there someone at the sale who might represent me in this?

I'm very sorry not to be able to get to the estate sale myself. It's the weekend of our Princeton Traditional Music Festival.

Jon Bartlett

Subject: RE: John Ross estate sale
From: Deckman
Date: 17 Aug 09 - 11:01 PM

Hi Jon ... I spent most of the afternoon in John's basement. And yes, I saw bottles of wine. I can't commit, yet, to your task, but I'll see what I can do. CHEERS, bob nelson

Subject: RE: John Ross estate sale
From: Deckman
Date: 17 Aug 09 - 11:14 PM

Jon ... I just sent you a PM. bob

Subject: RE: John Ross estate sale
From: GUEST,Maggie the Paralegal
Date: 18 Aug 09 - 06:52 PM

Heads up everyone...I just learned John Ross' Estate Sale will only be this Saturday, August 22!!!! They will be packing up on Sunday. Sorry!

Subject: RE: John Ross estate sale
From: Genie
Date: 18 Aug 09 - 06:58 PM

So, Maggie, how does that affect the projects that Bob Nelson and the folk music gang have been working on, such as moving John's music collection and writings into storage?

I wish I could be at the sale, but I doubt I can. I need to go back to Portland either Friday night or pretty early Saturday.

But if there's anything I can help with tomorrow morning or Thursday afternoon, Deckman, please PM me or email me.

Genie


PS
Note to Joe and the clones:

If this important estate sale is going to be just one day, how about putting the date in the thread title?

Subject: RE: John Ross estate sale
From: Deckman
Date: 18 Aug 09 - 07:18 PM

Bob Nelson here again ... this is new news to me that the estate sale will ONLY be one day, this coming Saturday, August 22nd.

Genie, and other interested folks ... the Seattle folklore society succeeded in obtaining the nutz and bolts of John Ross' collection. The books, the hundreds of folk music records, and THANK GOODNESS ... the many, many R/R tapes. These things are now in a safe, warm and dry storage area. I feel good about that.

If anyone wants to ask me for further details, please feel free to PM me.

I do want to mention just how helpful "Maggie ... the paraleagal" has been. If it wasn't for her sensitivity regarding the historical value of John Ross' lifetime collection, it could all have ended in the dump.

Thank you from all of us Maggie ... Bob Nelson

Subject: RE: John Ross estate sale
From: Deckman
Date: 18 Aug 09 - 10:03 PM

Jon ... I might be able to succeed in your request. I'm sending you a PM now. bob nelson

Subject: RE: John Ross estate sale
From: GUEST,Maggie the Paralegal
Date: 19 Aug 09 - 11:52 AM

Bob, and all: I have so enjoyed meeting you and attempting to make sure John's wonderful collections now reside in the proper hands. Although I did not know John in life, as is often the experience I have when working closely to settle an estate I have come to understand who he was, what he loved, his joys and sorrows as well as the people who loved him back. You all are an awesome community, brought together by love of music, the written word, food, wine and laughter and I know he treasured you. I am honored to have served him in my capacity. As an afterthought....please all, make sure you have made a plan for your possessions. Wills and Trusts are Your instructions regarding who is in charge and where your valued assets will go. The cost of making them is pennies on the dollar when it comes to the expense of settling an estate. Thank you all for working with me patiently and come running at the drop of a hat. I truly have enjoyed meeting you!

Subject: RE: John Ross estate sale
From: Deckman
Date: 19 Aug 09 - 05:53 PM

Jon ... I just returned from Seattle, I was able to obtain some of his homemade cider. I'll keep it safe for you. bob

Subject: RE: John Ross estate sale
From: GUEST,Suzy T.
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 09:56 AM

This has been an amazing thread. I knew John very slightly, way back in the 1970s, and hadn't seen him for years but he was on my radar. I am glad to know (and am sure that he would be glad to know) that his music collection is in good hands, and it's cool that his wine and cider collection is ending up with people who knew him and cared about him. We should all be so lucky. It sounds like Maggie did an amazing job.
Suzy

Subject: RE: John Ross estate sale
From: Deckman
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 10:12 AM

While I was at John's home helping, with many other volunteers, I asked some questions about his death. It was clear to the medical examiner that John died peacefully in his sleep ... in his own bed.

That's as good as it gets. bob

Subject: RE: John Ross estate sale
From: Genie
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 06:45 PM

Yes, Bob, that's very good to know.






BTW, can one of the "clones" please add the date - 8-22-09 - to this thread title, since the estate sale is one day only?   I think that would help.

Genie

Subject: RE: John Ross estate sale
From: maeve
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 04:47 AM

Genie- The 'clones' may not get to every thread every day. You might need to send Joe a PM.

maeve

Subject: RE: John Ross estate sale
From: Deckman
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 08:55 PM

LAST REMINDER ... John Ross' estate sale will be tomorrow ... ONE DAY ONLY. Look at past notices above this postings for the address in the Seattle (Wallingford) area. Last time I was in his home, there were many,many collectables, books, records, personal treasures etc. Have fun ... Bob(deckman)Nelson

Subject: RE: John Ross estate sale
From: Genie
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 09:03 PM

Wish I could be there. Let's keep this thread refreshed and hope that one of the clones I've PM'd will add the date to the thread title tonight (or at least by tomorrow morning PDT).

Subject: RE: John Ross estate sale ONE DAY ONLY 22 Aug 2009
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 11:47 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: John Ross estate sale ONE DAY ONLY 22 Aug 2009
From: Joe Offer
Date: 22 Aug 09 - 12:34 AM

This does bring up a point. I've spent the last ten years collecting songbooks, and not I have almost every significant US songbook and a good lot from UK, Ireland, Australia, Germany, and other nations - Belden, Randolph, Brown, Greig-Duncan, Bronson, and everything in between. DADGBE says it might well be the best songbook collection on the West Coast.
If I die, what do I do with it?

-Joe-

Subject: RE: John Ross estate sale ONE DAY ONLY 22 Aug 2009
From: open mike
Date: 22 Aug 09 - 04:42 AM

this issue probably deserves it's own thread
(inheritance of music archives, instruments, etc)

but i would offer up that some library or non profit

such as http://www.singout.org/sorce.html

the smithsonian or similar west coast organization or agency

for instance the nordic museum in seattle has a room filled with

items from the scandinavian music and dance collection of Gordon

Tracey(sp?) and there may be such a place available to keep folk

music, books etc. safe and avaialable....

if not that would be a great project for the

"mudcat foundation" to be, well, founded on!

Subject: RE: John Ross estate sale ONE DAY ONLY 22 Aug 2009
From: GUEST,Adam
Date: 23 Aug 09 - 07:53 PM

I was just at the house and everything is going for free now. If you like records, there is still at least about 1000+ vinyls (33s and 45s) lying around, mostly classical and folk, lots of 20th century gems. All Free. It would be a shame for this to end up in a landfill (which is probably what will happen within the next few hours.

Subject: RE: John Ross estate sale ONE DAY ONLY 22 Aug 2009
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 12:16 AM

Sometimes the remainder of an estate is sold to a party who cleans up the house. Did no one offer to do this? At least then it would be moved and someone would probably sell these to a used book/LP store or make them available via online sale, etc.

SRS