Sanford stands tall at an onsite auction in September 1984 in his hometown of Harleysville, Penn.
:This is the story of two brothers and a box.
When auctioneer Sanford Alderfer of Sanford Alderfer Auction & Appraisal began his auction company 50 years ago, he wanted to stand out from the other auctioneers, so he had a friend make him a wooden box to stand on when calling auctions. About 12 inches high and 28 inches across, the box is a simple thing: plywood that has been stained and varnished to a golden-honey sheen. Over the years, new versions of the box have been built, all to the same specs. "Me, standing on my box, was my signature," he says.
Together with his younger brother, Harold Alderfer, Sanford can look back on a lifetime working in the community, having built a business that is going strong into the second generation with Sanford's son, Sandy, and son-in-law, Vernon Martin, now at the reins. The one company has grown into the umbrella of Sanford Alderfer Companies, which comprises three services: Sanford Alderfer Auction & Appraisal, Sanford Alderfer Real Estate and Sanford Alderfer Moving & Storage.
Sanford's box is more than just a box, though. It is a fitting metaphor for the spiritual foundation Sanford and Harold have lived their lives by and built their business around. The company's motto, appropriately, is "Ethically and creatively guiding people through their maze of property in transition."
Sandy and Sanford Alderfer stand in front of their auction center, which last year celebrated its 20th anniversary in this location.
A deeply spiritual man grounded in his faith, Sanford learned strong Christian values from his parents, as the second youngest of eight children growing up in a Mennonite family in the small town of Harleysville, Penn. "I never made a promise I couldn't deliver on," Sanford said, adding that he once heard it said that "half right is all wrong." He adopted that as his personal creed, and it has never steered him wrong. "What remains constant is integrity. Integrity is not bestowed upon you, it's earned."
The Delaware Valley MEDA, a chapter of the Mennonite Economic Development Associates, recently conducted a dinner gala to recognize the contributions Sanford and Harold have made to the community. Fittingly titled "Two Brothers and a Good Box To Stand On," the sold-out event took place November 19, attended by more than 150 people.
To celebrate the company's 50th anniversary, an open house will take place at the auction center Wednesday, December 9, where the public is welcome to come by for refreshments from 4 to 7 pm.
At age 86, Sanford is "retired" but still calls auctions every Thursday. He also keeps a busy schedule with volunteer work several days a week and hunting with Sandy at least once a week in deer season.
