by Stephanie Germana

In the past decade or so that I’ve been working for Briggs Auction, I’ve met a lot of incredible people – customers, consignors, collectors, colleagues – but I’m not sure that anyone quite compares to Dr. Mead Shaffer. A staple of the Bethel Township community, I grew to spend quite a bit of time with Mead (sometimes affectionately referred to as ‘Doc’ or ‘Doc Shaffer’ by those who know and love him) in the summer and fall of 2021 as we cataloged his incredible collection that sold at auction on September 24, 2021.

Well, I should say that my husband Stephen cataloged – because I spent a lot of time just sitting with Doc, rubbing his dog Augie’s belly, and letting him regale me with tales of antique-buying ‘back in the day’ and how certain pieces came into his possession. What I loved the most about my time with Mead is that he remembered everything. Every single piece in his collection had a story behind it – a memory of where he bought it, who sold it to him, how many hands it may have passed through, its history, function, and origin, and so on.

Loaded with Colonial and early American antiques, Mead’s residence, barn, and historically landmarked log house were all filled top to bottom with pieces that he had acquired during his incredible life. Having grown up locally on a farm in Wayne County, he moved to Delaware County in 1960 after working in the U.S. Army as a veterinarian. Eventually moving into the early 1700s farmhouse in Bethel Township (known as the Garrett-Booth-Cheyney House), Mead’s two passions eventually took a deeper hold on both his life and the community: He started his (still active) veterinary practice and began to make a name for himself in the antique and collecting business.

The log house on the property has always been an active part of Bethel Township’s Founders’ Day, and though Mead no longer lives at the property, the new owners are committed to keeping its rich history intact and available for the community event, taking place this Saturday, October 14.

The balance of Dr. Shaffer’s collection is being sold at auction this week, Friday, October 13 on the Briggs Auction bidding platform.

As for Mead: Browse the September 2021 auction as well as this Friday’s sale and comment below with what your favorite piece is. Next time I visit him at his new digs, I will read the comments to him and let him give me a brief history on the piece that I can reply with. Trust me, it will make his day. (And mine.)