Sayers, Isabelle S.

Isabelle S. Sayers (1914-1982) was an avid collector of early recordings and audio equipment. Her primary interest was in rare items, particularly those from 1884 to 1905 of the early sound recording era. Interested in inventors of recording equipment as well, she collected photographs, clippings, and ephemera relating to Thomas Edison and Emile Berliner as well as their various inventions. Sayers wrote two books on Annie Oakley: Annie Oakley and Buffalo Bill's Wild West (1981) and The Rifle Queen, Annie Oakley (1973). She died in December 1982.

From the description of Papers from the Isabelle Sayers collection, circa 1886-1980 (bulk 1920-1980). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 482379999

Biographical Note

Isabelle S. Sayers (1914-1982) was an avid collector of early recordings and audio equipment. Sayers's primary interest was in rare items, particularly those from 1884 to 1905 of the early sound recording era. One of the few female collectors of the mid-20th century, Sayers expanded her collection over a period of at least 30 years by placing advertisements in local newspapers and collectors' newsletters, and by developing relationships with collectors and antique dealers nationwide. She displayed and spoke about her collection locally; in 1959 she appeared on WBNS-TV to demonstrate early machines in her collection. Sayers was also interested in inventors of recording equipment: she collected photographs, clippings, and ephemera relating to Thomas Edison, Emile Berliner and their various inventions.

Sayers also had an avid interest in photography and the history of the West. She wrote two books on Annie Oakley: Annie Oakley and Buffalo Bill's Wild West (New York: Dover Publications, 1981) and The Rifle Queen, Annie Oakley (Sayers, 1973). Both incorporated historical photographs from her own collections as illustrations.

Isabelle Sayers resided with her husband, Frank T. Sayers, in Columbus, Ohio, from circa 1953 through 1971. The couple lived in Ostrander, Ohio, from 1971 until Isabelle Sayers's death in December 1982.

From the guide to the Papers from the Isabelle Sayers Collection, circa 1886-1980, 1920-1980, (Recorded Sound Reference Center, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division Library of Congress)