Alice Austen Correspondence and Related Materials, 1891

PI

Version: 4 (current) | Updated: 12/9/2025, 9:54:42 PM | Created: 12/9/2025, 7:18:49 PM

Added description

Description

Alice Austen Correspondence and Related Materials, 1891

Overview

This digitized collection represents the personal correspondence, calling cards, and ancillary photographic materials of Elizabeth Alice Austen (1866‑1952) for the year 1891. It is part of the Alice Austen House Museum’s archival holdings and is organized into a single year‑based folder containing scanned images of handwritten letters, envelopes, and social cards, accompanied by typed transcriptions.

Background

Alice Austen was a pioneering American photographer based in Staten Island, New York. In the early 1890s she maintained an active social and professional network that extended to Albany, Washington, D.C., Boston, and Chicago. The 1891 materials were produced by Austen and her close friends and family, reflecting the social customs of the upper‑middle class in the late Victorian era.

Contents

The collection includes:
  • Personal letters from Julia T. Martin, Violet M.E. Ward, Julie Bredt, Maria Brett, James C. McAndrew, Isabella King, Bessie Strong, and Henry Gilman, covering topics such as travel, marriage invitations, and the World’s Columbian Exposition.
  • Calling cards and other social invitations that document weddings (e.g., Isabella McAndrew to R. Fleming Crooks, Annie Marie to J. Bowers Eccleston) and dinner parties.
  • Negative sleeves and photographs of the letters, providing visual context for the written correspondence.
  • Transcriptions of the handwritten texts, facilitating textual analysis.

Key themes evident in the letters include social life (skating parties, sleigh rides, church events), photography business (sale of images from the 1893 Chicago Exposition), personal relationships, and family matters.

Scope

The collection covers the calendar year 1891, with geographic references to Staten Island, Albany, Washington, D.C., Boston, and Chicago. It documents a range of social and professional interactions, from intimate family updates to public events, and offers insight into the daily life and network of a prominent female photographer in late‑19th‑century America. The materials are available as high‑resolution JPEG scans and accompanying text files, supporting both visual and textual research.

Raw Cheimarros Data

@alice_austen:person {full_name: "Elizabeth Alice Austen", birth_year: @date_1866, death_year: @date_1952, occupation: "photographer", location: @staten_island}

@julia_t_martin:person {full_name: "Julia T. Martin", relationship: "close friend", location: @albany}

@violet_ward:person {full_name: "Violet M.E. Ward", location: @washington_dc}

@julie_bredt:person {full_name: "Julie Bredt"}

@maria_brett:person {full_name: "Maria Brett"}

@isabella_king:person {full_name: "Isabella King", role: "photograph buyer"}

@bessie_strong:person {full_name: "Bessie Strong"}

@james_c_mcandrew:person {full_name: "James C. McAndrew"}

@henry_gilman:person {full_name: "Henry Gilman"}

@isabella_mcandrew:person {full_name: "Isabella McAndrew", parent: @james_c_mcandrew}

@r_fleming_crooks:person {full_name: "R. Fleming Crooks"}

@mr_foster:person {full_name: "Mr. Foster"}

@mrs_smiley:person {full_name: "Mrs. Smiley"}

@mr_fox_moultonbury:person {full_name: "Mr. Fox Moultonbury"}

@mr_edgar:person {full_name: "Mr. Edgar"}

@mr_altham:person {full_name: "Mr. Altham"}

@mr_hurst:person {full_name: "Mr. Hurst"}

@mr_john_bowers_eccleston:person {full_name: "John Bowers Eccleston"}

@annie_marie:person {full_name: "Annie Marie"}

@mrs_alfred_parmele:person {full_name: "Mrs. Alfred Parmele"}

@mr_eugene_harvey_outerbridge:person {full_name: "Eugene Harvey Outerbridge"}

@mr_francis_ogle_boyd:person {full_name: "Francis Ogle Boyd"}

@mrs_francis_ogle_boyd:person {full_name: "Mrs. Francis Ogle Boyd"}

@ethel_boyd:person {full_name: "Ethel Boyd"}

@mary_emmons:person {full_name: "Mary Dr. Emmons"}

@lou_alexander:person {full_name: "Lou Alexander"}

@mr_richards:person {full_name: "Mr. Richards"}

@jack:person {full_name: "Jack"}

@jane:person {full_name: "Jane"}

@staten_island:place {state: @new_york, country: @united_states}

@albany:place {state: @new_york}

@clifton:place {city: @staten_island, name: "Clifton"}

@st_johns_church:place {city: @clifton, name: "St. John's Church"}

@date_1891_01_12:date_1891_01_12

@date_1891_01_15:date_1891_01_15

@date_1891_01_22:date_1891_01_22

@date_1891_10_17:date_1891_10_17

@date_1891_10_20:date_1891_10_20

@date_1891_10_22:date_1891_10_22

@date_1891_10_26:date_1891_10_26

@date_1891_10_27:date_1891_10_27

@date_1891_10_29:date_1891_10_29

@date_1891_11_02:date_1891_11_02

@date_1891_11_15:date_1891_11_15

@letter_jan12_1891_bredt:document {date: @date_1891_01_12, sender: @julie_bredt, recipient: @alice_austen, summary: "Compliments on photograph of Julia, mentions Julia's visit to Alice's home"} 

@julie_bredt -> wrote -> @letter_jan12_1891_bredt

@letter_jan12_1891_brett:document {date: @date_1891_01_12, sender: @maria_brett, recipient: @alice_austen, summary: "Kind regards, mentions sisters and gratitude"} 

@maria_brett -> wrote -> @letter_jan12_1891_brett

@letter_jan15_1891_martin1:document {date: @date_1891_01_15, sender: @julia_t_martin, recipient: @alice_austen, location: @albany, summary: "Thanks for sending opera money, apologizes for missing Fidelio"} 

@julia_t_martin -> wrote -> @letter_jan15_1891_martin1

@letter_jan15_1891_martin2:document {date: @date_1891_01_15, sender: @julia_t_martin, recipient: @alice_austen, summary: "Travel description from Boston to Albany, mentions rain and train"} 

@julia_t_martin -> wrote -> @letter_jan15_1891_martin2

@letter_jan15_1891_martin3:document {date: @date_1891_01_15, sender: @julia_t_martin, recipient: @alice_austen, summary: "Plans for dinner, mentions Miss Lynch, Mrs. Pyle, Waldo, Bessie Penney"} 

@julia_t_martin -> wrote -> @letter_jan15_1891_martin3

@letter_jan15_1891_martin4:document {date: @date_1891_01_15, sender: @julia_t_martin, recipient: @alice_austen, summary: "Describes Mrs. Grew, church attendance, Hattie Prynn, travel plans"} 

@julia_t_martin -> wrote -> @letter_jan15_1891_martin4

@letter_jan15_1891_martin5:document {date: @date_1891_01_15, sender: @julia_t_martin, recipient: @alice_austen, summary: "Mentions marriage of Mattie, thanks mother and aunt"} 

@julia_t_martin -> wrote -> @letter_jan15_1891_martin5

@letter_jan15_1891_martin6:document {date: @date_1891_01_15, sender: @julia_t_martin, recipient: @alice_austen, summary: "Describes sleigh ride, dinner invitation, mentions Miss White, Mr. Foster, Mrs. Smiley"} 

@julia_t_martin -> wrote -> @letter_jan15_1891_martin6

@letter_jan15_1891_martin7:document {date: @date_1891_01_15, sender: @julia_t_martin, recipient: @alice_austen, summary: "Mentions Dr. H. P. Hoyt, travel to Boston, health"} 

@julia_t_martin -> wrote -> @letter_jan15_1891_martin7

@letter_jan15_1891_martin8:document {date: @date_1891_01_15, sender: @julia_t_martin, recipient: @alice_austen, summary: "Long rambling text, repeated apologies for leaving, mentions Kitty and Miss Lynn"} 

@julia_t_martin -> wrote -> @letter_jan15_1891_martin8

@letter_jan15_1891_martin9:document {date: @date_1891_01_15, sender: @julia_t_martin, recipient: @alice_austen, summary: "Farewell note, mentions mother and father"} 

@julia_t_martin -> wrote -> @letter_jan15_1891_martin9

@letter_jan15_1891_martin10:document {date: @date_1891_01_15, sender: @julia_t_martin, recipient: @alice_austen, summary: "Brief note, address Miss Alice Austen, Rosebank"} 

@julia_t_martin -> wrote -> @letter_jan15_1891_martin10

@letter_jan15_1891_martin11:document {date: @date_1891_01_15, sender: @julia_t_martin, recipient: @alice_austen, summary: "Invitation to dinner with Lou Alexander & Mr. Richards"} 

@mary_emmons -> wrote -> @letter_jan15_1891_martin11

@letter_jan22_1891_mcandrew:document {date: @date_1891_01_22, sender: @james_c_mcandrew, recipient: @alice_austen, location: @st_johns_church, summary: "Marriage invitation for daughter Isabella to R. Fleming Crooks"} 

@james_c_mcandrew -> invited -> @alice_austen {to: @letter_jan22_1891_mcandrew}

@marriage_isabella_crooks:event {date: @date_1891_01_22, location: @st_johns_church, bride: @isabella_mcandrew, groom: @r_fleming_crooks, inviter: @james_c_mcandrew}

@letter_oct17_1891_parmele1:document {date: @date_1891_10_17, sender: @unknown, recipient: @alice_austen, summary: "Thank you for a gift, mentions Jack"} 

@letter_oct17_1891_parmele1 -> wrote -> @alice_austen

@letter_oct17_1891_parmele2:document {date: @date_1891_10_17, sender: @unknown, recipient: @alice_austen, summary: "Invitation to Hcott (likely a misspelling)"} 

@letter_oct17_1891_parmele2 -> wrote -> @alice_austen

@letter_oct20_1891_martin1:document {date: @date_1891_10_20, sender: @julia_t_martin, recipient: @alice_austen, location: @albany, summary: "Travel notes, mention of bouquet, slip of train, confusion about day"} 

@julia_t_martin -> wrote -> @letter_oct20_1891_martin1

@letter_oct20_1891_martin2:document {date: @date_1891_10_20, sender: @julia_t_martin, recipient: @alice_austen, summary: "Meeting at church, mentions Miss Cooper, wedding, request for photographs"} 

@julia_t_martin -> wrote -> @letter_oct20_1891_martin2

@letter_oct22_1891_parmele:document {date: @date_1891_10_22, sender: @mrs_alfred_parmele, recipient: @alice_austen, location: @st_johns_church, summary: "Marriage invitation for daughter Annie Marie to John Bowers Eccleston"} 

@mrs_alfred_parmele -> invited -> @alice_austen {to: @letter_oct22_1891_parmele}

@marriage_annie_marie:event {date: @date_1891_10_22, location: @st_johns_church, bride: @annie_marie, groom: @mr_john_bowers_eccleston, inviter: @mrs_alfred_parmele}

@letter_oct26_1891_emmons:document {date: @date_1891_10_26, sender: @mary_emmons, recipient: @alice_austen, summary: "Dinner invitation with Lou Alexander & Mr. Richards"} 

@mary_emmons -> invited -> @alice_austen {to: @letter_oct26_1891_emmons}

@letter_oct27_1891_boyd:document {date: @date_1891_10_27, sender: @mr_francis_ogle_boyd, recipient: @alice_austen, location: @st_johns_church, summary: "Marriage invitation for daughter Ethel to Eugene Harvey Outerbridge"} 

@mr_francis_ogle_boyd -> invited -> @alice_austen {to: @letter_oct27_1891_boyd}

@marriage_ethel_outerbridge:event {date: @date_1891_10_27, location: @st_johns_church, bride: @ethel_boyd, groom: @mr_eugene_harvey_outerbridge, inviter: @mr_francis_ogle_boyd}

@letter_nov15_1891_martin1:document {date: @date_1891_11_15, sender: @julia_t_martin, recipient: @alice_austen, location: @albany, summary: "Letter from Rosebank, mentions eclipse observation with Jack"} 

@julia_t_martin -> wrote -> @letter_nov15_1891_martin1

@letter_nov15_1891_martin2:document {date: @date_1891_11_15, sender: @julia_t_martin, recipient: @alice_austen, summary: "Discussion of romantic fiancée, mentions Ruthie Prayn, country club outing"} 

@julia_t_martin -> wrote -> @letter_nov15_1891_martin2

@letter_nov15_1891_martin3:document {date: @date_1891_11_15, sender: @julia_t_martin, recipient: @alice_austen, summary: "Busy schedule, mentions mother, school, Emma"} 

@julia_t_martin -> wrote -> @letter_nov15_1891_martin3

@letter_nov15_1891_martin4:document {date: @date_1891_11_15, sender: @julia_t_martin, recipient: @alice_austen, summary: "Comments on various acquaintances, mentions Sarah Bernhardt, Cameron item"} 

@julia_t_martin -> wrote -> @letter_nov15_1891_martin4

@letter_nov15_1891_martin5:document {date: @date_1891_11_15, sender: @julia_t_martin, recipient: @alice_austen, summary: "Poetic closing, signed Julia Tabor Martin"} 

@julia_t_martin -> wrote -> @letter_nov15_1891_martin5

@letter_nov02_1891_gilman:document {date: @date_1891_11_02, sender: @henry_gilman, recipient: @alice_austen, summary: "Expression of melancholy, asks for a line"} 

@henry_gilman -> wrote -> @letter_nov02_1891_gilman

@victorian_social_events:concept {themes: ["skating parties","sleigh rides","church events","whist parties"]}

Metadata

Version History (4 versions)

  • ✓ v4 (current) · 12/9/2025, 9:54:42 PM
    "Added description"
  • v3 · 12/9/2025, 9:16:30 PM · View this version
    "Added knowledge graph extraction"
  • v2 · 12/9/2025, 7:58:54 PM · View this version
    "Added PINAX metadata"
  • v1 · 12/9/2025, 7:18:49 PM · View this version
    "Alphabetical chunk 1/5 (40 files)"

Additional Components (40)

Click to expand and load individual components

1891_1-12-Jan 2001-bredt copy.jpg.ref.json
1891_1-12-Jan 2002-bredt copy.jpg.ref.json
1891_1-15-Jan 3001-martin copy.jpg.ref.json
1891_1-15-Jan 3002-martin copy.jpg.ref.json
1891_1-15-Jan 3003-martin copy.jpg.ref.json
1891_1-15-Jan 3004-martin copy.jpg.ref.json
1891_1-15-Jan 3005-martin copy.jpg.ref.json
1891_1-15-Jan 3006-martin copy.jpg.ref.json
1891_1-18-Violet Ward Jan 18001 copy 2.jpg.ref.json
1891_1-18-Violet Ward Jan 18002 copy 2.jpg.ref.json
1891_1-18-Violet Ward Jan 18003 copy 2.jpg.ref.json
1891_1-18-Violet Ward Jan 18004 copy 2.jpg.ref.json
1891_1-18-Violet Ward Jan 18005 copy 2.jpg.ref.json
1891_1-22-Jan 4002 copy.jpg.ref.json
1891_1-22-james mcandrew002 copy.jpg.ref.json
1891_1-4-Jan 1001-martin copy.jpg.ref.json
1891_1-4-Jan 1002-martin copy.jpg.ref.json
1891_1-4-Jan 1003-martin copy.jpg.ref.json
1891_1-4-Jan 1004-martin copy.jpg.ref.json
1891_1-4-Jan 1005-martin copy.jpg.ref.json
1891_1-4-unknown 001-Julie-Lord.jpg.ref.json
1891_10-17-Oct 5002-Parmele copy.jpg.ref.json
1891_10-17-Oct 5003-Parmele copy.jpg.ref.json
1891_10-20-Oct 3001-martin copy.jpg.ref.json
1891_10-20-Oct 3002-martin copy.jpg.ref.json
1891_10-20-Oct 3003-martin copy.jpg.ref.json
1891_10-22-Oct 6001 copy.jpg.ref.json
1891_10-26-Oct 1002-Emmons copy.jpg.ref.json
1891_10-27-Oct 2002 copy.jpg.ref.json
1891_10-29-Oct 4001-fishkill copy.jpg.ref.json
1891_10-29-Oct 4002-fishkill copy.jpg.ref.json
1891_10-29-Oct 4003-fishkill copy.jpg.ref.json
1891_11-15-Nov 1001-martin copy.jpg.ref.json
1891_11-15-Nov 1002-martin copy.jpg.ref.json
1891_11-15-Nov 1003-martin copy.jpg.ref.json
1891_11-15-Nov 1004-martin copy.jpg.ref.json
1891_11-15-Nov 1005-martin copy.jpg.ref.json
1891_11-15-Nov 1006-martin copy.jpg.ref.json
1891_11-15-Nov 1007-martin copy.jpg.ref.json
1891_11-2-Henry Gilman Nov 12001 copy.jpg.ref.json

Parent

01KC26188K193W7W71439N1C7Q

No children (leaf entity)