Mead was a distinguished physician and a friend of Newton, Pope and Bentley. His enormous collection, particularly rich in early editions of the classics and medical books, took 57 days to sell. This was the first sale of major importance conducted by Samuel Baker, founder of Sotheby's.

[With:] MEAD, RICHARD. Museum Meadianum, sive Catalogus Nummorum...prostant venalia sub hasta apud A. Langford...xi. Februarii M.DCC.LV. London, [1755]. 8vo, contemporary calf, front cover nearly detached. Engraved frontispiece.