Alice Austen Family Papers, 1891

PI

Version: 17 (current) | Updated: 12/9/2025, 9:54:57 PM | Created: 12/9/2025, 7:18:54 PM

Added description

Description

Alice Austen Family Papers, 1891

Overview

The Alice Austen Family Papers, 1891 is a digitized collection of personal and business documents that capture a single calendar year in the life of Elizabeth Alice Austen, a pioneering Staten Island photographer. The collection is assembled from 15 year‑based folders and contains scanned images of handwritten letters, calling cards, a wedding invitation, an event invitation, an advertisement, and a brief clergyman’s letter. Each item is accompanied by a typed transcription or OCR text, making the material searchable and accessible.

Background

The papers were compiled by the Alice Austen House Museum as part of its broader Austen Family Papers (1883‑1898). They reflect the social and professional milieu of late‑Victorian New York, documenting Austen’s interactions with friends, family, and patrons across the northeastern United States and beyond. The collection includes correspondence from prominent contemporaries such as Edward C. Center, Elizabeth B. Thong, C. R. Chapman, Henry Welsh, Julie Bredt, Julia T. Martin, Effie S. Alexander, Henry Kipling, and the Robinsons, as well as invitations from Sir Rodenrich and Miss Cameron.

Contents

  • Personal letters (≈30 items) addressing travel, family news, social events, and the sale of photographs from the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition.
  • Calling cards and other social tokens illustrating Victorian etiquette.
  • Wedding invitation for Edith Trumbull and Philip Burton Jennings (25 June 1891).
  • Event invitation for a dancing gathering (19 September 1891).
  • Advertisement for a horse‑and‑carriage service in Clifton, New Jersey.
  • Clergyman’s letter from Rev. Dr. John C. Eccleston.
  • Negative sleeves and other photography‑related ephemera.

Scope

The collection is confined to the year 1891 and spans geographic references that include Staten Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida, and the Canadian Pacific. It focuses on personal, social, and business correspondence within Austen’s upper‑middle‑class network. The materials are in the public domain and provide a comprehensive snapshot of Victorian social life, early photographic commerce, and the daily interactions of a prominent Staten Island family.

Raw Cheimarros Data

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Metadata

Title
Alice Austen Family Papers, 1891
Type
Collection
Creator
Alice AustenEdward C. CenterElizabeth B. ThongC. R. ChapmanHenry WelshBredt, JulieJulia T. MartinEffie S. AlexanderHenry KiplingMr. & Mrs. Daniel RobinsonSir RodenrichMiss CameronMary HoodAlice Butler
Institution
Alice Austen House
Created
1891
Language
en
Subjects
Correspondence, Personal letters, Social life, Victorian era, Family relationships, Photography, Photography business, Wedding, Invitation, Social events, Dancing, Staten Island, New York, New Jersey, New Brunswick, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Florida, Albany, Bennington, Schenectady, Williamstown, Seattle, Sedro, San Francisco, Canadian Pacific, Flushing, Clifton-Berley, Hay Head, Ocean County, West Hillton, Clifton, World's Columbian Exposition, Chapman Quarries, Strawberries, Tennis, Drowning Accidents, Health and illness, Travel, St. John
Rights
Public Domain
Place
Staten Island, NY, New York, NY, New Jersey, NJ, New Brunswick, NJ, Bethlehem, PA, Pennsylvania, PA, Florida, FL, Albany, NY, Bennington, VT, Schenectady, NY, Williamstown, MA, Seattle, WA, Sedro, WA, San Francisco, CA, Canadian Pacific, Flushing, NY, Clifton-Berley, NY, Hay Head, NJ, Ocean County, NJ, West Hillton, NJ, Clifton, NJ, 105 East 18th Street, New York, NY
Source
PINAX

Version History (10 versions)

  • ✓ v17 (current) · 12/9/2025, 9:54:57 PM
    "Added description"
  • v16 · 12/9/2025, 9:15:38 PM · View this version
    "Added knowledge graph extraction"
  • v15 · 12/9/2025, 7:59:29 PM · View this version
    "Added PINAX metadata"
  • v14 · 12/9/2025, 7:24:59 PM · View this version
    "Reorganized into 12 groups"
  • v13 · 12/9/2025, 7:24:58 PM · View this version
    "Added child entity 01KC295W9WCM17SNW97V1GAWY3"
  • v12 · 12/9/2025, 7:24:56 PM · View this version
    "Added child entity 01KC295TXNK350ERDBH5C471CK"
  • v11 · 12/9/2025, 7:24:55 PM · View this version
    "Added child entity 01KC295SN11CYGEVWJCCP6K2DP"
  • v10 · 12/9/2025, 7:24:54 PM · View this version
    "Added child entity 01KC295RBRRS7K2MZM8MWVP5GC"
  • v9 · 12/9/2025, 7:24:52 PM · View this version
    "Added child entity 01KC295PRYCPQNKMDRSMG5K17T"
  • v8 · 12/9/2025, 7:24:51 PM · View this version
    "Added child entity 01KC295NE4WARZWNVXMAMACNDX"

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 each major correspondent (Edward C. Center, Elizabeth B. Thong, C.R. Chapman, Henry Welsh, Julie Bredt, Julia Martin, Effie S. Alexander, Henry Kipling). Additional groups were created for specific types of documents like wedding invitations and event invitations. Miscellaneous correspondence was grouped together for letters that didn't fit into other categories. The transcriptions and notes were placed in a separate documentation group.

## Groups Created

- **Correspondence_Edward_C_Center**: Letters from Edward C. Center discussing social engagements and personal updates
- **Correspondence_Elizabeth_B_Thong**: Letters from Elizabeth B. Thong discussing social events and photography
- **Correspondence_C_R_Chapman**: Letters from C.R. Chapman thanking Alice for photographs and discussing personal matters
- **Correspondence_Henry_Welsh**: Letter from Henry Welsh thanking Alice for photographs
- **Correspondence_Julie_Bredt**: Letters from Julie Bredt discussing personal visits and social activities
- **Correspondence_Julia_Martin**: Letters from Julia Martin discussing personal matters and social activities
- **Correspondence_Effie_S_Alexander**: Letters from Effie S. Alexander discussing personal matters and social activities
- **Correspondence_Henry_Kipling**: Letters from Henry Kipling discussing photography and social events
- **Wedding_Invitation**: Wedding invitation from Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Robinson
- **Event_Invitation**: Invitation to a dance event from Sir Rodenrich & Miss Cameron
- **Miscellaneous_Correspondence**: Various letters and notes that don't fit into other categories
- **Documentation**: Transcriptions and notes related to the letters

Parent

↑ 01KC26188K193W7W71439N1C7Q

Children (12)