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Descriptive Finding Guide for the Aerophilately Collection

 Collection
Identifier: SDASM-SC-10258

Abstract

Aerospace enthusiasts frequently collect themed memorabilia, including ephemeral material such as envelopes and stamps. Various governments and entities issue these at commemorative anniversaries and events. The Museum inevitably became a repository for such material over time. Although no longer in the Museum’s collecting scope, this these stamps, first day of issue envelopes, and other aerospace related postal material (aerophilately) make up this collection.

Dates

  • Majority of material found within 1900 - 2023

Conditions Governing Access

The materials in this collection were donated to the San Diego Air & Space Museum over time, and represents an artificially created collection arranged by format. The collection has been processed and is open for research with no restrictions.

Biographical / Historical

Aerospace enthusiasts frequently collect themed memorabilia, including ephemeral material such as envelopes and stamps. Various governments and entities issue these at commemorative anniversaries and events. The Museum inevitably became a repository for such material over time. Although no longer in the Museum’s collecting scope, this these stamps, first day of issue envelopes, and other aerospace related postal material (aerophilately) make up this collection.

Airmail was previously stored with this collection but has been separated to its own collection (SC.10259). While many of the first day covers and stamps in this collection are airmail by the technical term, the decision was made to separate the two because the airmail collection represents a specific event in history and is not necessarily issued as a commemorative collectible like material in this collection.

The aerophilately material in this collection was arranged and partially curated by a past Museum volunteer. Extensive inventories, notes, and annotations created by this volunteer have been kept with the collection. See Series Description for more detail.

The collection has been stored in the archives, but some material has been transferred from the curatorial department in an effort to consolidate and reduce duplication. All documentation in the collection relating to donor files (deeds of gift, letters, and correspondence, etc.) has been transferred to the Registrar.

Extent

4 Cubic Feet (The content of this collection includes stamps and envelopes (covers) in varying sizes, formats, and issuance. Material has a multitude of combination of cancellations, cachets, stamps, and envelopes.) : This collection is stored in eleven boxes: four measuring 8.25” x 12.25” x 5.25”, two measuring 12.5” x 10.75” x 5.25”, one measuring 15” x 12” x 3”, one measuring 13” x 10” x 3”, one measuring 15” x 12” x 1.5”, and two document cases measuring 10.5” x 15.5” x 5”.

Language of Materials

English

Physical Description

Description: This collection is stored in eleven boxes: four measuring 8.25” x 12.25” x 5.25”, two measuring 12.5” x 10.75” x 5.25”, one measuring 15” x 12” x 3”, one measuring 13” x 10” x 3”, one measuring 15” x 12” x 1.5”, and two document cases measuring 10.5” x 15.5” x 5”.

Content notes: The content of this collection includes stamps and envelopes (covers) in varying sizes, formats, and issuance. Material has a multitude of combination of cancellations, cachets, stamps, and envelopes.

Related SDASM Resources: Joseph M. Schneider Special Collection (SC.10249); Airmail Collection (SC.10259); The aero philatelist annals (periodical collection); U.S. Airmail Catalog (books); Combat Insignia Stamps of the United States Army & Navy Air Corps (rare books collection); International Aerospace Hall of Fame Records

Title
Descriptive Finding Guide for the Aerophilately Collection
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives Repository

Contact:
2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park
San Diego 92101 USA US
(619) 234-8291
(619) 233-4525 (Fax)