Alice Austen Family Papers (MS1) - Correspondence and Related Materials, 1883-1898

PI

Version: 13 (current) | Updated: 12/9/2025, 9:54:59 PM | Created: 12/9/2025, 7:18:49 PM

Added description

Description

Alice Austen Family Papers (MS1) – Correspondence and Related Materials, 1883‑1898

Overview

This digitized collection preserves the personal correspondence, calling cards, envelopes, and related artifacts of Elizabeth Alice Austen (1866‑1952) and her social circle from 1883 to 1898. The materials are organized into fifteen year‑based folders and include high‑resolution JPEG scans of handwritten letters, envelopes, and Victorian‑era calling cards, as well as typed transcriptions of the handwritten text. The collection is housed at the Alice Austen House Museum in Staten Island, New York, and is available through the PINAX platform.

Background

Elizabeth Alice Austen was a pioneering photographer whose work documented late‑Victorian life in New York. The family papers were compiled by Austen and her relatives, capturing the social, professional, and personal interactions that informed her career. The collection reflects Austen’s role as a photographer, a socialite, and a member of an upper‑middle‑class Staten Island community, and it documents her relationships with friends such as Julia T. Martin, Julie Bredt, Effie E. Alexander, Nellie, John C. Thorne, the de La Serna family, and Miss Barton.

Contents

  • Letters (≈ 200 items) – Handwritten correspondence from 1883‑1898, covering topics such as social events (skating parties, sleigh rides, church gatherings), photography business (sales, supplies, the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition), family news, and travel plans.
  • Envelopes (≈ 8 items) – Scanned photographs of envelopes addressed to Austen, illustrating postal practices and the geographic spread of her network (Staten Island, Albany, Philadelphia, etc.).
  • Calling Cards (≈ 1–3 items) – Victorian‑era invitations produced by Miss Barton, inviting Austen to social club meetings and other events.
  • Negative Sleeves (photographic artifacts) – Photographic accessories that provide context for Austen’s studio practice.
  • Transcriptions – Typed TXT files that reproduce the handwritten content for easier reading and research.
  • Metadata – Structured information on dates, places, subjects, and correspondents, linked to the PINAX schema.

Scope

The collection spans 1883‑1898, encompassing the formative years of Austen’s photographic career and her active participation in Staten Island society. It covers a wide geographic range, including Staten Island, Albany, Philadelphia, and international references such as Mexico and Alaska. The materials focus on personal and professional communication; they do not include business ledgers, photographic negatives, or Austen’s own photographs. The collection offers a comprehensive view of Victorian social life, the early photographic industry, and the personal networks that supported a pioneering woman photographer.

Raw Cheimarros Data

@file_pinax:file {type: "Metadata (PINAX)"}

@date_1883

@date_1898

@photographic_processes:concept {description: "Various photographic techniques and materials used in the late 19th century"}

@family_health:concept {description: "Health concerns and medical matters within families"}

@alice_austen_family_papers:collection {title: "Alice Austen Family Papers (MS1) - Correspondence and Related Materials", start: @date_1883, end: @date_1898, institution: @alice_austen_house, subjects: ["Correspondence","Personal letters","Calling cards","Victorian social life","Photography","World's Columbian Exposition","Family relationships","Social events","Travel","Health","Entertainment","Fashion","Literature and poetry","Photographic processes","Family health"], description: "A collection of personal correspondence, calling cards, and related materials from the Alice Austen Family Papers, spanning 1883-1898. Includes letters from friends and family discussing social events, photography, and family matters."}

@file_pinax -> documents -> @alice_austen_family_papers

@alice_austen -> contributed to -> @alice_austen_family_papers

@julia_t_martin -> contributed to -> @alice_austen_family_papers

@julie_bredt -> contributed to -> @alice_austen_family_papers

@effie_e_alexander -> contributed to -> @alice_austen_family_papers

@nellie -> contributed to -> @alice_austen_family_papers

@john_c_thorne -> contributed to -> @alice_austen_family_papers

@de_la_serna_family -> contributed to -> @alice_austen_family_papers

@miss_barton -> contributed to -> @alice_austen_family_papers

@alice_austen_family_papers -> includes subject -> @victorian_social_life

@alice_austen_family_papers -> includes subject -> @photography

@alice_austen_family_papers -> includes subject -> @worlds_columbian_exposition

@alice_austen_family_papers -> includes subject -> @photographic_processes

@alice_austen_family_papers -> includes subject -> @family_health

@alice_austen_family_papers -> mentions place -> @staten_island

@alice_austen_family_papers -> mentions place -> @albany

@alice_austen_family_papers -> mentions place -> @allentown

@alice_austen_family_papers -> mentions place -> @bennington

@alice_austen_family_papers -> mentions place -> @hindukoth

@alice_austen_family_papers -> mentions place -> @toy

@alice_austen_family_papers -> mentions place -> @pedro

@alice_austen_family_papers -> mentions place -> @concord

@alice_austen_family_papers -> mentions place -> @boston

@alice_austen_family_papers -> mentions place -> @west_washington

@alice_austen_family_papers -> mentions place -> @alaska

@alice_austen_family_papers -> mentions place -> @new_york

@alice_austen_family_papers -> mentions place -> @mexico

@alice_austen_family_papers -> mentions place -> @richmond_co

@alice_austen_family_papers -> mentions place -> @clifton

@alice_austen_family_papers -> mentions place -> @philadelphia

@alice_austen_family_papers -> mentions place -> @chilton

@alice_austen_julia_martin_correspondence:collection -> part of -> @alice_austen_family_papers

@alice_austen_correspondence_de_la_serna:collection -> part of -> @alice_austen_family_papers

@alice_austen_correspondence_envelopes_collection:collection -> part of -> @alice_austen_family_papers

@alice_austen_calling_cards_collection:collection -> part of -> @alice_austen_family_papers

@nellie_correspondence_collection:collection -> part of -> @alice_austen_family_papers

@alice_austen_john_c_thorne_correspondence:collection -> part of -> @alice_austen_family_papers

@alice_austen_house:organization -> houses -> @alice_austen_family_papers

@alice_austen -> recipient of -> @letter_1892_01_08_1

@alice_austen -> recipient of -> @letter_1892_01_12_1

@alice_austen -> recipient of -> @letter_1892_10_19_1

@alice_austen -> recipient of -> @letter_1892_01_20

@alice_austen -> recipient of -> @invitation_card_1892_jan_8

@alice_austen -> recipient of -> @envelope_1892_01_01_bredt

@alice_austen -> recipient of -> @envelope_1892_01_12_martin

@alice_austen -> recipient of -> @envelope_1892_01_20_de_la_serna

@alice_austen -> recipient of -> @envelope_1892_01_20_bredt

@alice_austen -> recipient of -> @envelope_1892_01_08_effie

@alice_austen -> recipient of -> @envelope_1892_10_19_browne

@alice_austen -> recipient of -> @envelope_1892_10_02_martin

@alice_austen -> recipient of -> @envelope_1892_10_23_martin

@julie_bredt -> correspondence in -> @alice_austen_family_papers

@julia_t_martin -> correspondence in -> @alice_austen_family_papers

@effie_e_alexander -> correspondence in -> @alice_austen_family_papers

@nellie -> correspondence in -> @alice_austen_family_papers

@john_c_thorne -> correspondence in -> @alice_austen_family_papers

@de_la_serna_family -> correspondence in -> @alice_austen_family_papers

@miss_barton -> calling card in -> @alice_austen_family_papers

@zard_club_meeting:event -> part of -> @alice_austen_family_papers

@skating_party:event -> mentioned in -> @alice_austen_family_papers

@sleigh_ride:event -> mentioned in -> @alice_austen_family_papers

@dancing_class:event -> mentioned in -> @alice_austen_family_papers

@theatre_party:event -> mentioned in -> @alice_austen_family_papers

@concert:event -> mentioned in -> @alice_austen_family_papers

@worlds_columbian_exposition:event -> mentioned in -> @alice_austen_family_papers

@gelatine_plates:concept -> discussed in -> @alice_austen_family_papers

@eastman_lantern_plates:concept -> discussed in -> @alice_austen_family_papers

@albumen_paper:concept -> discussed in -> @alice_austen_family_papers

@platinum_cold_process:concept -> discussed in -> @alice_austen_family_papers

@glass_lantern_pictures:concept -> discussed in -> @alice_austen_family_papers

@steamer_city_of_seattle:concept -> mentioned in -> @alice_austen_family_papers

@quarantine:concept -> mentioned in -> @alice_austen_family_papers

@photography_business:concept -> discussed in -> @alice_austen_family_papers

@family_health -> discussed in -> @alice_austen_family_papers

@victorian_social_life -> discussed in -> @alice_austen_family_papers

@photography -> discussed in -> @alice_austen_family_papers

@alice_austen_family_papers -> aggregates -> @alice_austen_julia_martin_correspondence:collection

@alice_austen_family_papers -> aggregates -> @alice_austen_correspondence_de_la_serna:collection

@alice_austen_family_papers -> aggregates -> @alice_austen_correspondence_envelopes_collection:collection

@alice_austen_family_papers -> aggregates -> @alice_austen_calling_cards_collection:collection

@alice_austen_family_papers -> aggregates -> @nellie_correspondence_collection:collection

@alice_austen_family_papers -> aggregates -> @alice_austen_john_c_thorne_correspondence:collection

@alice_austen_family_papers -> aggregates -> @alice_austen_house:organization

Metadata

Title
Alice Austen Family Papers (MS1) - Correspondence and Related Materials, 1883-1898
Type
Collection
Creator
Alice AustenJulia T. MartinJulie BredtEffie E. AlexanderNellieJohn C. Thornede la Serna familyMiss Barton
Institution
Alice Austen House
Created
1883-1898
Language
en
Subjects
Correspondence, Personal letters, Calling cards, Victorian social life, Photography, World's Columbian Exposition, Family relationships, Social events, Travel, Health, Entertainment, Fashion, Literature and poetry, Photographic processes, Family health
Place
Staten Island, NY, Albany, NY, Allentown, PA, Bennington, Hindukoth, Toy, Pedro, Concord, Boston, West Washington, Alaska, New York, NY, Mexico, Richmond Co., Clifton, Philadelphia, Chilton
Source
PINAX

Version History (10 versions)

  • ✓ v13 (current) · 12/9/2025, 9:54:59 PM
    "Added description"
  • v12 · 12/9/2025, 9:16:15 PM · View this version
    "Added knowledge graph extraction"
  • v11 · 12/9/2025, 7:59:25 PM · View this version
    "Added PINAX metadata"
  • v10 · 12/9/2025, 7:27:14 PM · View this version
    "Reorganized into 8 groups"
  • v9 · 12/9/2025, 7:27:12 PM · View this version
    "Added child entity 01KC299ZTRFFB1ZX55RJ2B16P9"
  • v8 · 12/9/2025, 7:27:11 PM · View this version
    "Added child entity 01KC299Y9PK1MAHKMP1H1WZW89"
  • v7 · 12/9/2025, 7:27:09 PM · View this version
    "Added child entity 01KC299WT4YYQ4WP1FMBMBNEVW"
  • v6 · 12/9/2025, 7:27:08 PM · View this version
    "Added child entity 01KC299VCWTZ34PG3QEBXF38R1"
  • v5 · 12/9/2025, 7:27:06 PM · View this version
    "Added child entity 01KC299S6HQYAP1BB55FZ9VRM8"
  • v4 · 12/9/2025, 7:27:04 PM · View this version
    "Added child entity 01KC299Q9ZV3P2836KMD0R0V72"

More versions available (pagination not yet implemented)

Additional Components

reorganization-description.txt
# Reorganization Summary

The files were organized primarily by correspondent, with separate groups for envelopes and calling cards. This approach maintains consistency with the organizational guidance while ensuring that each group is meaningfully distinct. Correspondence was grouped by the sender's name, as this was the clearest way to categorize the letters. Envelopes and calling cards were separated into their own groups due to their distinct formats and purposes.

## Groups Created

- **Correspondence_Julie_Bredt**: Letters from Julie Bredt to Alice Austen discussing social events, photography, and personal matters
- **Correspondence_Julia_Martin**: Letters from Julia T. Martin discussing social life, family matters, and personal updates
- **Correspondence_Effie_Alexander**: Letters from Effie E. Alexander discussing personal life and social events
- **Correspondence_Nellie**: Letters from Nellie discussing personal matters and social updates
- **Correspondence_John_Browne**: Letters from John C. Browne discussing photography techniques and materials
- **Correspondence_de_la_Serna**: Letter from an unnamed friend discussing travel plans and personal matters
- **Envelopes**: Envelopes addressed to Alice Austen
- **Calling_Cards**: Invitations and calling cards

Parent

↑ 01KC262WQ37K459G497B8PSG7H

Children (8)