Alice Austen Correspondence Collection, 1892
PI
Version: 14 (current) | Updated: 12/9/2025, 9:55:11 PM | Created: 12/9/2025, 7:18:59 PM
Added description
Description
Alice Austen Correspondence Envelopes and Addresses Collection (1892)
Overview
This digitized collection preserves six high‑resolution JPEG scans of envelopes and address labels that were part of Elizabeth Alice Austen’s personal correspondence in 1892. Each image is accompanied by OCR‑extracted text reproducing the handwritten addresses. The material is housed in the Alice Austen House Museum’s online archive and represents a snapshot of the physical artifacts used by Austen to send and receive letters, invitations, and business documents during a single year.Background
Elizabeth Alice Austen (1866‑1952) was a pioneering photographer and socialite from Staten Island, New York. In 1892 she maintained an extensive network of friends, family, and professional contacts across the New York metropolitan area. The envelopes in this collection illustrate the geographic breadth of her correspondence, ranging from local neighbors in Staten Island to legal professionals in New Brunswick and acquaintances on Long Island. The digitization effort preserves the original handwriting and layout, providing researchers with direct access to the original address information without handling the fragile paper.Contents
- 1892‑04‑19 – Envelope addressed to “Miss E. Alice Austin, Clifton, Staten Island, New York.”
- 1892‑04‑20 – Envelope to “Miss E.A. Austen, Rosebank, Staten Island, New York.”
- 1892‑04‑04 – Envelope to “Miss Clara Huston, Roseland, Staten Island, N.Y.”
- 1892‑04‑01 – Envelope to “Miss Alice Austen, Rosebank, Staten Island, N.Y.”
- 1892‑05‑01 – Non‑envelope letter with informal notes (included for contextual reference).
- 1892‑05‑03 – Envelope to “Judge Woodbridge, 272 Hamilton St., New Brunswick, N.J.” and “Miss Alice Van, Prosehank P.L., Long Island.”
Each image’s OCR text is provided in the metadata, allowing quick verification of the address details. The collection does not include the letters themselves, only the envelopes and address information.
Scope
The collection covers a single year (1892) and focuses on the geographic region of Staten Island, New Brunswick, and Long Island. It documents Austen’s social and professional networks, offering insight into the patterns of correspondence, travel, and business transactions of a late‑Victorian upper‑middle‑class woman. The material is limited to the six envelopes and associated OCR data, providing a concise view of Austen’s mailing practices during that year.Raw Cheimarros Data
@file_1892_5_1_may_1002_aca_copy_jpg:file {type: "Image/Asset with OCR"} {date: @date_1892_05_01}
@letter_1892_05_01_1002:document {date: @date_1892_05_01, from: @alice_austen, to: @unknown_recipient, content_summary: "Mentions stocking change for Esther (April 8), Howard Martin, Miss Larson, Miss Despard, a concert in Staten Island, and a request to Grandpa to obtain the concert details."}
@file_1892_5_1_may_1002_aca_copy_jpg -> contains -> @letter_1892_05_01_1002
@date_1892_04_08
@esther:person {first_name: "Esther"}
@howard_martin:person {full_name: "Howard Martin"}
@miss_larson:person {title: "Miss", last_name: "Larson"}
@miss_despard:person {title: "Miss", last_name: "Despard"}
@lisbeth:person {first_name: "Lisbeth"}
@grandpa:person {relation: "family elder"}
@christ_church:place {name: "Christ's Church"}
@concert_staten_island:event {description: "Concert in Staten Island", location: @staten_island}
@alice_austen -> mentions -> @esther
@alice_austen -> mentions -> @howard_martin
@alice_austen -> mentions -> @miss_larson
@alice_austen -> mentions -> @miss_despard
@alice_austen -> mentions -> @lisbeth
@alice_austen -> mentions -> @grandpa
@alice_austen -> mentions -> @concert_staten_island:event
@alice_austen -> mentions -> @christ_church
@concert_staten_island:event -> related to -> @players_reception:event
@concert_staten_island:event -> related to -> @dance:event
@howard_martin -> surname -> "Martin"
@howard_martin -> possible relative of -> @julia_t_martin
@alice_austen -> corresponded with -> @julia_t_martin {period: @date_1883, end: @date_1898}
@alice_austen -> aunt of -> @miss_cousin_dolla
@alice_austen -> mentioned in -> @letter_1892_04_20 {context: "ticket sent to Miss Cousin Dolla"}Metadata
Files (1)
1892_5-1-May 1002-ACA copy.jpgJPEG
OCR Text
The last time this season I changed the stockings for Esther—April 8th, I think they are right, wonderful thread at Christ's. Such matters of flunkey in the streets I never saw. In the first coming down I had a very polite (now from Howard Martin) I had kept him from for ages, he looks & likes a regnat friend; Pattere whipped on ahead of him, with a long flask, wine; a fat hope. An one, shrubbed, bad, to see if to death. Miss Larson lent word by a little girl, that the world came Wednesday instead of Monday, so that is settled. Miss Despard called Saturday and left her brother's card with her milk. They spell the name by their please wrong I see. The correct people have moved into the red house, your Auntie thinks they will be good companions for Lisbeth Great Angels. There is a long account of the Concert in the S. Islander, I ask you Grandpa to get it. I cut out from the
Version History (10 versions)
- ✓ v14 (current) · 12/9/2025, 9:55:11 PM
"Added description" - v13 · 12/9/2025, 9:18:06 PM · View this version
"Added knowledge graph extraction" - v12 · 12/9/2025, 7:59:50 PM · View this version
"Added PINAX metadata" - v11 · 12/9/2025, 7:29:24 PM · View this version
"Reorganized into 9 groups" - v10 · 12/9/2025, 7:29:23 PM · View this version
"Added child entity 01KC29DZMM31ZXCJJTVMZDRCSS" - v9 · 12/9/2025, 7:29:21 PM · View this version
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"Added child entity 01KC29DQQPHX8HMR2W3ERXEADH"
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Additional Components
reorganization-description.txt
# Reorganization Summary Files were organized primarily by correspondent, with secondary grouping by document type (letters vs. envelopes). The majority of files fell into clear correspondence groups based on the sender's identity. Envelopes without letter content were grouped separately. One file (1892_5-1-May 1002-ACA) remained ungrouped due to unclear/truncated content that couldn't be confidently categorized. ## Groups Created - **Correspondence_Henry_Gilman**: Letters from Henry Gilman (Harry Klybman) regarding social events and sympathy notes - **Correspondence_Elizabeth_Strong**: Letters from Elizabeth Strong discussing social events, dances, and personal matters - **Correspondence_Julia_Martin**: Letters from Julia T. Martin discussing personal life and summer plans - **Correspondence_Grace_Brown**: Letters from Grace Dudley Brown regarding tennis tournaments - **Correspondence_Minnie_Wolf**: Letter from Minnie Wolf explaining absence due to illness - **Correspondence_Charles_Ludlow**: Letter from Charles B. Hurd (Ludlow) regarding visit plans - **Correspondence_J_La_Femme**: Letter from J. A. La Femme regarding sister's illness - **Correspondence_George_Wheelock**: Letter from George G. Wheelock regarding event tickets - **Envelopes_Addresses**: Envelopes and address cards without letter content