1888_8-3-Aug 2005-effie copy.jpg

Alice Austen Correspondence with Effie S. Commins

PI

Version: 4 (current) | Updated: 12/9/2025, 9:35:48 PM | Created: 12/9/2025, 7:21:08 PM

Added description

Description

Alice Austen – Correspondence with Effie S. Commins (1888)

Overview

This collection comprises two handwritten letters written by Effie S. Commins to photographer Elizabeth Alice Austen on August 3, 1888. The letters were produced on Cushings Island, Staten Island, and now exist as high‑resolution JPEG scans with accompanying OCR text. The collection is held by the Alice Austen House Museum and provides a snapshot of informal Victorian social communication.

Background

Elizabeth Alice Austen (1866‑1952) was a pioneering American photographer and resident of Staten Island. Effie S. Commins, a contemporary and friend, corresponded with Austen during the late 19th century. The letters reflect the social milieu of upper‑middle‑class Staten Island families and capture personal observations, gossip, and everyday concerns typical of the era.

Contents

  • Letter 1 (August 3, 1888) – A brief, conversational note in which Commins mentions a planned trip to Portland, comments on acquaintances such as Mr. Corning, May, and June, and expresses mild disdain for Mr. Corning.
  • Letter 2 (August 3, 1888) – A follow‑up note in which Commins apologizes for not informing May about June’s remarks regarding Mr. Evening, offers a lighthearted closing, and signs off with her name and location.
Each letter is preserved as a JPEG image (≈730 KB) and includes OCR‑extracted text for searchable access.

Scope

The collection covers a single day’s correspondence (August 3, 1888) between Effie S. Commins and Alice Austen, set in Cushings Island, Staten Island. It illustrates informal Victorian letter‑writing, social networking, and family dynamics. The collection does not include additional materials such as envelopes, calling cards, or negative sleeves; it focuses exclusively on the two handwritten letters and their digital representations.

Raw Cheimarros Data

@alice_austen_correspondence_with_effie_commins:collection {title: "Alice Austen Correspondence with Effie S. Commins", created: @date_1888_08_03, place: @cushings_island, creator: @effie_commins, description: "A collection of personal letters from Effie S. Commins to Alice Austen, discussing social events, family matters, and personal observations from Cushings Island in 1888."}

@alice_austen:person {full_name: "Elizabeth Alice Austen", birth: @date_1866, death: @date_1952, occupation: "photographer", residence: @staten_island}

@effie_commins:person {full_name: "Effie S. Commins", role: "correspondent"}

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

@cushings_island:place {location: @staten_island, country: @united_states}

@letter_1888_08_03_1:document {date: @date_1888_08_03, author: @effie_commins, recipient: @alice_austen, location: @cushings_island, content: "wrath will be upon you, so beware, old lady. I believe we are to go to Portland this afternoon, of course. Mr. Corning goes too, it is rather a bore, as I feel I must make myself scarce, I do not think much of him. I got out from May last night that Mr. Corning told her that he did not like June very much, he thought she was anciet."}

@letter_1888_08_03_2:document {date: @date_1888_08_03, author: @effie_commins, recipient: @alice_austen, location: @cushings_island, content: "I did not tell May that June told me Mr. Evening was a chump. Well now I must shall take pity on you and close this uninteresting letter. I only hope you can get through without yawning. Yours, Effie S. Commins. Cushings Island August 3rd /886."}

@mr_corning:person {full_name: "Mr. Corning"}

@may:person {full_name: "May"}

@june:person {full_name: "June"}

@mr_evening:person {full_name: "Mr. Evening"}

@portland:place

@effie_commins -> wrote -> @letter_1888_08_03_1

@effie_commins -> wrote -> @letter_1888_08_03_2

@letter_1888_08_03_1 -> mentions -> @mr_corning

@letter_1888_08_03_1 -> mentions -> @may

@letter_1888_08_03_1 -> mentions -> @june

@letter_1888_08_03_1 -> mentions -> @portland

@letter_1888_08_03_2 -> mentions -> @may

@letter_1888_08_03_2 -> mentions -> @june

@letter_1888_08_03_2 -> mentions -> @mr_evening

@alice_austen_correspondence_with_effie_commins -> contains -> [@letter_1888_08_03_1, @letter_1888_08_03_2]

@file_pinax -> documents -> @alice_austen_correspondence_with_effie_commins

@file_1888_8_3_aug_2005_effie_copy_jpg -> image of -> @letter_1888_08_03_1

@file_1888_8_3_aug_2006_effie_copy_jpg -> image of -> @letter_1888_08_03_2

Metadata

Files (2)

1888_8-3-Aug 2005-effie copy.jpgJPEG
714.55 KB
OCR Text

wrath will be upon you, so beware, old lady. I believe we are to go to Portland this afternoon, of course. Mr. Corning goes too, it is rather a bore, as I feel I must make myself scarce, I do not think much of him. I got out from May last night that Mr. Corning told her that he did not like June very much, he thought she was anciet.

1888_8-3-Aug 2006-effie copy.jpgJPEG
716.88 KB
OCR Text

I did not tell May that June told me Mr. Evening was a chump. Well now I must shall take pity on you and close this uninteresting letter. I only hope you can get through without yawning. Yours, Effie S. Commins. Cushings Island August 3rd /886.

Version History (4 versions)

  • ✓ v4 (current) · 12/9/2025, 9:35:48 PM
    "Added description"
  • v3 · 12/9/2025, 8:17:34 PM · View this version
    "Added knowledge graph extraction"
  • v2 · 12/9/2025, 7:45:11 PM · View this version
    "Added PINAX metadata"
  • v1 · 12/9/2025, 7:21:08 PM · View this version
    "Reorganization group: Personal_Correspondence_Effie_Commins"

Parent

01KC28TWE9MEJ66NQFR6C6B3QH

No children (leaf entity)