Austen Family Papers (MS1) - Alice Austen Correspondence Collection, 1890

PI

Version: 13 (current) | Updated: 12/9/2025, 9:54:20 PM | Created: 12/9/2025, 7:18:52 PM

Added description

Description

Alice Austen Correspondence with L. L. Tribus

Overview

This is a concise archival collection comprising a single handwritten letter from civil engineer L. L. Tribus to photographer Elizabeth Alice Austen, dated 4 February 1890. The item is preserved as a high‑resolution JPEG scan of the original paper, accompanied by metadata that records its provenance, subjects, and contextual information. The collection is part of the Austen Family Papers (MS1) housed at the Alice Austen House Museum and is in the public domain.

Background

Elizabeth Alice Austen (1866‑1952) was a pioneering Staten Island photographer whose work documented late‑Victorian New York society. In early 1890, L. L. Tribus, a New York‑based civil engineer, was preparing a public presentation on roads and canals. He sought Austen’s assistance, requesting photographs of roads, canals, arches, and bridges to illustrate his talk. The correspondence reflects the intersection of visual culture and engineering, as well as the social networks that connected professionals in the island’s upper‑middle‑class community.

Contents

  • Letter (4 Feb 1890) – Handwritten by Tribus to “My Dear Miss Austin,” the letter requests photographs of specific infrastructure and offers assistance in gathering information for his presentation.
  • JPEG Scan – A high‑resolution reproduction preserves the inked text, marginalia, and paper texture of the original manuscript.
  • Metadata – Digital records include title, creator, date, subjects (correspondence, engineering, roads, canals, photography, Victorian social life), and provenance linking the item to the Austen Family Papers (MS1).

Scope

The collection covers a single event in February 1890 and contains only this one letter. It does not include additional correspondence, photographs taken by Austen, or other documents from the broader Austen Family Papers. The material provides insight into the practical use of photography in engineering presentations and the collaborative networks of late‑Victorian Staten Island.

Raw Cheimarros Data

@austen_family_papers:collection {title: "Austen Family Papers (MS1) - Alice Austen Correspondence Collection", creator: [@alice_austen, @will_v_batchelder, @bessie_strong, @julia_bredt, @alice_cornell_austen, @trudie_eccleston, @na_h_strong, @l_l_tribus], institution: @alice_austen_house_museum, created: @date_1890, language: "en", subjects: ["Correspondence","Personal letters","Victorian social life","Friendship","Health","Literary events","Family relationships","Photography","Travel","Fashion","Christmas","Parties","Opera","Music","Dance","Engineering","Roads","Canals","Invitations","Calling Cards","Social Events","Condolences"], description: "A collection of personal correspondence and social cards from the Austen Family Papers, including letters to and from Alice Austen and her family, friends, and acquaintances in 1890. Documents Victorian-era social life, personal relationships, and topics such as photography, travel, and engineering."}


@alice_cornell_austen:person {full_name: "Alice Cornell Austen"}


@engineering:concept {topic: "Engineering"}


@condolences:concept {topic: "Condolences"}


@rutgers_college:place {city: "New Brunswick", state: "New Jersey", country: @united_states}


@new_york_ny:place {city: "New York", state: "New York", country: @united_states}


@austen_family_papers:collection -> includes -> @will_v_batchelder_correspondence


@austen_family_papers:collection -> includes -> @bessie_strong_correspondence_collection


@austen_family_papers:collection -> includes -> @julia_bredt_correspondence_collection:document


@austen_family_papers:collection -> includes -> @alice_cornell_austen_correspondence:collection


@austen_family_papers:collection -> includes -> @trudie_eccleston_correspondence:collection


@austen_family_papers:collection -> includes -> @hah_strong_correspondence:collection


@austen_family_papers:collection -> includes -> @alice_austen_tribus_correspondence:document


@austen_family_papers:collection -> includes -> @alice_austen_invitations_collection


@austen_family_papers:collection -> associated with -> [@staten_island, @rosebank, @new_brunswick_nj, @washington_dc, @cincinnati_oh, @louisville_ky, @brooklyn_ny, @wshkill_on_hudson_ny, @bennington_center, @newtown_pa, @new_pr, @governors_island, @st_louis, @littleton_massachusetts, @new_york_ny, @rutgers_college]


@austen_family_papers:collection -> covers -> [@photography:concept, @travel:concept, @fashion:concept, @music:concept, @social_life:concept, @engineering:concept, @condolences:concept]

Metadata

Version History (10 versions)

  • ✓ v13 (current) · 12/9/2025, 9:54:20 PM
    "Added description"
  • v12 · 12/9/2025, 9:14:15 PM · View this version
    "Added knowledge graph extraction"
  • v11 · 12/9/2025, 7:58:36 PM · View this version
    "Added PINAX metadata"
  • v10 · 12/9/2025, 7:22:13 PM · View this version
    "Reorganized into 8 groups"
  • v9 · 12/9/2025, 7:22:12 PM · View this version
    "Added child entity 01KC290T79PTKB7P7XP0NF8P6G"
  • v8 · 12/9/2025, 7:22:10 PM · View this version
    "Added child entity 01KC290RQMW6YBRQZ1ZTJ1YFG7"
  • v7 · 12/9/2025, 7:22:08 PM · View this version
    "Added child entity 01KC290Q2W0SNE030K7CGEFZ5E"
  • v6 · 12/9/2025, 7:22:06 PM · View this version
    "Added child entity 01KC290MYTYTZ094GFYS7N4NH4"
  • v5 · 12/9/2025, 7:22:05 PM · View this version
    "Added child entity 01KC290KKFRYP6SEAR6QCTWEVP"
  • v4 · 12/9/2025, 7:22:04 PM · View this version
    "Added child entity 01KC290J8044BM9YHH47J5T2N5"

More versions available (pagination not yet implemented)

Additional Components

reorganization-description.txt
# Reorganization Summary

The files were organized primarily by correspondent, with secondary groupings for different types of correspondence (personal letters, professional letters, invitations/cards). This approach maintains consistency with the organizational guidance while accurately reflecting the social networks and activities documented in Alice Austen's correspondence. Each group represents a distinct relationship or correspondence type, allowing for clear contextual understanding of the materials.

## Groups Created

- **Will_V_Batchelder_Correspondence**: Letters from Will V. Batchelder to Alice Austen, containing personal correspondence and social arrangements
- **Bessie_Strong_Correspondence**: Letters from Bessie Strong to Alice Austen, discussing social events, photography exchanges, and travel plans
- **Julia_Bredt_Correspondence**: Letters from Julia Bredt to Alice Austen, containing social invitations and personal updates
- **Alice_Cornell_Austen_Correspondence**: Letters from Alice Cornell Austen (likely Alice's mother) containing family updates and personal matters
- **Trudie_Eccleston_Correspondence**: Letters from Trudie Eccleston discussing social events and personal matters
- **HAH_Strong_Correspondence**: Letters from HAH Strong regarding photography and personal matters
- **LL_Tribus_Correspondence**: Professional correspondence from L.L. Tribus regarding a presentation on roads and canals
- **Invitations_Cards**: Formal invitations and calling cards

Parent

01KC2612RZK08FQGTK4ZGS8THX

Children (8)