Sarah Owens Collection of Postal Ephemera, PC.5318
Abstract
This collection consists of first day covers and other commemorative stamps issued
by the United States Postal Service in honor of significant events in the nation's
history. These items primarily relate to topics of historical significance to the
Outer Banks of North Carolina and were collected by Manteo resident Sarah Alford Owens
from 1971 to 1976.
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Sarah Owens Collection of Postal Ephemera
- Call Number
- PC.5318
- Creator
-
Owens, Sarah Frances Alford, 1937-2015
- Date
- 1971-1976
- Extent
- 0.200 cubic feet
- Language
-
English
- Repository
-
Outer Banks History Center
Restrictions on Access & Use
Use Restrictions
Copyright is retained by the authors of these materials, or their descendants, as
stipulated by the United States copyright law (Title 17 US Code). Individual researchers
are responsible for using these materials in conformance with copyright law as well
as any donor restrictions accompanying these materials.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], PC.5318, Sarah Owens Collection of Postal Ephemera, Outer
Banks History Center, Manteo, NC, U.S.A.
Collection Overview
The Sarah Owens Collection of Postal Ephemera, 1971-1976, primarily consists of first
day covers and other commemorative stamps issued by the United States Postal Service
in honor of significant events in the nation's history. These items primarily relate
to topics of historical significance to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, such as
the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and the Wright Brothers' first flight. In addition
to stamps, several programs from celebratory events are included. These materials
were collected by Sarah Owens.
Arrangement Note
Biographical/Historical
Sarah Frances (Alford) Owens was born 19 February 1937 in Manteo, North Carolina,
to Edwin Joseph Alford (1899-1937) and Cora Mae Daniels (1910-1998). She had one older
brother, Edwin Joseph Alford, Jr. (1930-2005), and several younger siblings: Dotty
Basnight Fry, Sally Basnight Scarborough, Della Basnight, Saint Basnight, Jr., and
Marc Basnight. She married Robert Valentine "Bobby" Owens 8 September 1956 and had
two children: Robert Valentine Owens, III (born 1957), and Lisa Sterling (Owens) Hooper
(1960-2007). During her lifetime, Sarah performed in The Lost Colony, served with
the Manteo Woman's Club, and volunteered with the Dare County Arts Council. She collaborated
with photographer Aycock Brown to promote tourism to the Outer Banks in the mid-20th
century.
Contents of the Collection
Collection Contents
First Day of Issue US Airmail Nine Cent Stamp, 15 May 1971
Box 1
Scope and Content
envelope publicizes The First Flight Society
First Day of Issue Ceremony Nine Cent Air Mail Post Card and Nine Cent Air Mail Postage
Stamp, 15 May 1971
Box 1
First Day of Issue Nine Cent Air Mail Postal Card and Nine Cent Air Mail Stamp Ceremony
Program, Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, 15 May 1971
Box 1
Official First Day Card Nine Cent Airmail Stamp, 15 May 1971
Box 1
Scope and Content
Post Card shows "monument of First Flight 12/17/1903, at the time of First Sep on
the Moon 07/20/1969"
First Day of Issue Inaugurating the US Postal Service, 1 July 1971
Box 1
The National Parks Centennial Stamps, 5 January 1972
Box 1
First Day of Issue Cape Hatteras National Park Envelope and National Parks Centennial
Stamps, 5 April 1972
Box 1
Scope and Content
envelope show Bodie Island Lighthouse as "Oregon Juliet Lighthouse", an explanation
inside the envelope states perhaps the error will make the envelope a collectors item
one day
First Day of Issue National Park Centennial Stamps, 5 April 1972
Box 1
Scope and Content
envelope shows a representation of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and a surfboat with
USLS members in it
First Day of Issue of National Parks Centennial Envelope and Postage Stamps, 5 April 1972
Box 1
Invitation to Ceremony for the First Day of Issuance of the Cape Hatteras National
Seashore Commemorative Stamps Honoring the National Parks Centennial Year, 4 May 1972
Box 1
First Day of Issue, US Postal Service, People Serving You, 30 April 1973
Box 1
Scope and Content
one 4 1/2 x 10 1/2 envelope with 10 stamps
First Day of Issue Ceremony 21 Cent International Airmail Postal Card, 17 December 1975
Box 1
Envelope Commemorating Wright Brothers Flight with Stamps Commemorating the 50th Anniversary
of Commercial Aviation, 17 December 1976
Box 1
Subject Headings
United States Postal Service
Commemorative postage stamps--United States
Covers (philately)--North Carolina
Acquisitions Information
Gift, Donated by Sarah Owens.
Processing Information
Processed by Samantha Crisp, September 2020.