Robert J. Briggs, retired owner of auction
Robert J. Briggs, 86, retired owner and operator of Briggs Auction in Garnet Valley, died of complications of Parkinson's disease Wednesday, Nov. 9, at Maris Grove, a retirement community in Glen Mills.
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Robert J. Briggs, 86, retired owner and operator of Briggs Auction in Garnet Valley, died of complications of Parkinson's disease Wednesday, Nov. 9, at Maris Grove, a retirement community in Glen Mills.
In 1932, Mr. Briggs' father, William, started a business in a barn behind Booth's Corner School in Concord Township, selling livestock on Tuesdays and other merchandise on Fridays. Flea marketers began to set up their wares there on Fridays, a tradition that continues.
Mr. Briggs took over the business in the 1950s. He eventually built two 10,000-square-foot buildings to auction antiques and fine furniture. Briggs Auction has handled estates sales for prominent area residents including the Clothiers, cofounders of Strawbridge & Clothier, and members of the du Pont family.
A specialist in American history, Mr. Briggs researched the backgrounds and wrote the descriptions of the auction items. He also did appraisals.
"He was a great judge of people and character, and his longtime association with lawyers and trust officers across the tristate area is the result of his dedication to honesty and integrity," his son-in-law, John Turner, wrote in a tribute. Turner and Mr. Briggs' son, William, and daughter, Janice Turner, now run Briggs Auction.
In 1997, shortly before he retired, Mr. Briggs oversaw the auction of the contents of the estate of Martha Bacon Newkirk, whose ancestors settled in the region in the 17th century. Items in the multimillion-dollar sale included 200 pieces of Chinese export porcelain, paintings of Daniel Webster and Andrew Jackson, a Queen Anne walnut tall chest, and a large amount of sterling.
Mr. Briggs collected 18th-century Americana. He was an avid tennis player, and he and his wife were still dancing every Saturday night into their 80s.
Until moving from Garnet Valley to Maris Grove 18 months ago, he continued to attend the Friday auctions. "He worked hard and played hard," his son-in-law said.
Mr. Briggs grew up in West Philadelphia and graduated from John Bartram High School.
At 18, he enlisted in the Army. During World War II, he landed on Normandy Beach and fought in an artillery battalion in France and Germany.
After his discharge, and before joining his father's firm, he was a mechanic for the R.T. French mustard company in Philadelphia. He was good with his hands and often repaired items to be auctioned, his son-in-law said.
Since 1948, Mr. Briggs had been married to his childhood sweetheart, Gail Mooney Briggs.
In addition to his wife, son, and daughter, Mr. Briggs is survived by a sister; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
A funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, at St. John's Episcopal Church, 576 Concord Rd., Glen Mills, Pa. 19342. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Donations may be made to the church or to Maris Grove Resident Care Fund, 200 Maris Grove Way, Glen Mills, Pa. 19342.