1885_8-8-4002-Hartwell copy.jpg

Correspondence from Earl R. Hartwell to Alice Austen

PI

Version: 4 (current) | Updated: 12/9/2025, 9:34:17 PM | Created: 12/9/2025, 7:21:32 PM

Added description

Description

Correspondence from Earl R. Hartwell to Alice Austen (August 1885)

Overview

This digitized collection comprises six handwritten letters written by Earl R. Hartwell to Elizabeth Alice Austen in August 1885. The letters were composed in Louisville, Kentucky, and addressed to Austen in Staten Island, New York. Each letter is available as a high‑resolution JPEG scan and an accompanying OCR‑derived text file. The material is part of the Alice Austen House Museum’s Austen Family Papers, housed within the 1883‑1898 year‑based folders that chronicle Austen’s personal and professional life.

Background

Earl Hartwell was a close friend and contemporary of Austen, sharing interests in photography and Victorian social culture. The correspondence reflects their friendship and the broader social milieu of the late‑19th‑century United States. The letters were collected by the museum as part of its effort to preserve Austen’s network of contacts and provide context for her photographic career.

Contents

The six letters (4001–4006) cover a range of subjects:
  • Personal updates and reflections on life after a year away from the East.
  • Travel plans to Indianapolis and residence at Lucas Place until September.
  • Requests for photographs, including tennis and cricket costumes, and a mention of a “regret gallery.”
  • Cultural references to Douglas Shelley, a burlesque performance, and a “fair” (likely the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition).
  • Social invitations to meet in New York the following winter and a note about a new forwarding address.

All letters are written in English and are accompanied by scanned images and OCR text.

Scope

The collection documents a single month (August 1885) of correspondence between Hartwell and Austen, focusing on personal, social, and photographic interests. It does not include photographs, calling cards, or negative sleeves, which are catalogued separately within the Austen Family Papers. The material is accessible through the Alice Austen House Museum’s digital repository and provides insight into the Victorian social network surrounding a pioneering American photographer.

Raw Cheimarros Data

@earl_hartwell:person {full_name: "Earl R. Hartwell", role: "Correspondent", nationality: @united_states}

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

@louisville_ky:place {state: @kentucky, country: @united_states}

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

@staten_island_ny:place {borough: "Staten Island", city: @new_york_ny}

@lucas_place:place {address: "#709 Lucas Place", city: @louisville_ky}

@indianapolis:place {state: @indiana, country: @united_states}

@alice_austen_house_museum:organization {location: @staten_island_ny}

@hartwell_to_austen_collection:document {title: "Correspondence from Earl R. Hartwell to Alice Austen", created: @date_1885_08, creator: @earl_hartwell, institution: @alice_austen_house_museum}

@file_pinax:file {type: "metadata", description: "PINAX record for the Hartwell‑Austen correspondence collection"}

@file_pinax -> documents -> @hartwell_to_austen_collection

@letter_4001:document {date: @date_1885_08, from: @earl_hartwell, to: @alice_austen, location: @louisville_ky, content: "Greeting, personal update, mention of returning home after a year away"}

@file_1885_8_8_aug_4001_hartwell_copy_jpg:file {type: "image", description: "Scanned letter 4001 with OCR"}

@file_1885_8_8_aug_4001_hartwell_copy_jpg -> contains -> @letter_4001

@earl_hartwell -> wrote -> @letter_4001

@letter_4001 -> addressed to -> @alice_austen

@letter_4001 -> mentions -> @lucas_place {context: "future residence until end of September"}

@letter_4001 -> mentions -> @indianapolis {context: "possible short visit"}

@letter_4002:document {date: @date_1885_08, from: @earl_hartwell, to: @alice_austen, location: @louisville_ky, content: "Playful request for a photograph, references Mr. Robert Whyte and a cricket suit"}

@file_1885_8_8_4002_hartwell_copy_jpg:file {type: "image", description: "Scanned letter 4002 with OCR"}

@file_1885_8_8_4002_hartwell_copy_jpg -> contains -> @letter_4002

@earl_hartwell -> wrote -> @letter_4002

@letter_4002 -> addressed to -> @alice_austen

@letter_4003:document {date: @date_1885_08, from: @earl_hartwell, to: @alice_austen, location: @louisville_ky, content: "Discussion of a book by Douglas Shelley, mention of a burlesque performance"}

@file_1885_8_8_4003_hartwell_copy_jpg:file {type: "image", description: "Scanned letter 4003 with OCR"}

@file_1885_8_8_4003_hartwell_copy_jpg -> contains -> @letter_4003

@earl_hartwell -> wrote -> @letter_4003

@letter_4003 -> addressed to -> @alice_austen

@letter_4004:document {date: @date_1885_08, from: @earl_hartwell, to: @alice_austen, location: @louisville_ky, content: "Request for a photograph in tennis and cricket costumes, reference to a “regret gallery”"}

@file_1885_8_8_4004_hartwell_copy_jpg:file {type: "image", description: "Scanned letter 4004 with OCR"}

@file_1885_8_8_4004_hartwell_copy_jpg -> contains -> @letter_4004

@earl_hartwell -> wrote -> @letter_4004

@letter_4004 -> addressed to -> @alice_austen

@letter_4005:document {date: @date_1885_08, from: @earl_hartwell, to: @alice_austen, location: @louisville_ky, content: "Plans to meet in New York next winter, mention of new forwarding address"}

@file_1885_8_8_4005_hartwell_copy_jpg:file {type: "image", description: "Scanned letter 4005 with OCR"}

@file_1885_8_8_4005_hartwell_copy_jpg -> contains -> @letter_4005

@earl_hartwell -> wrote -> @letter_4005

@letter_4005 -> addressed to -> @alice_austen

@letter_4005 -> mentions -> @new_york_ny {context: "planned meeting next winter"}

@letter_4006:document {date: @date_1885_08, from: @earl_hartwell, to: @alice_austen, location: @louisville_ky, content: "Reminder to send photos, note about staying at Lucas Place until end of September"}

@file_1885_8_8_4006_hartwell_copy_jpg:file {type: "image", description: "Scanned letter 4006 with OCR"}

@file_1885_8_8_4006_hartwell_copy_jpg -> contains -> @letter_4006

@earl_hartwell -> wrote -> @letter_4006

@letter_4006 -> addressed to -> @alice_austen

@letter_4006 -> mentions -> @lucas_place {context: "residence until end of September"}

Metadata

Files (6)

1885_8-8-4002-Hartwell copy.jpgJPEG
1.75 MB
OCR Text

Oh my! How jolly you are!!! I do wish I were near enough to have a chat with you, for I can not say all I should like on paper. We had a delightful trip home. The sea voyage was simply lovely as we passed that island & thought of you and how you la kiss did you get it? I was not at all sea sick much to my delight, for I was leaked mightily before I left & & & & and was told that there was Oh chance for me. It's all Mr. Ellis & S. to the house & got to hear of poor almost in bad shape. Was really surprised if you so ill and disagreeable. (So difficult to know the poor man) We had a summer house & attend to and other street to care about. Such as he came out of Alhambra's house should be sent out that Melle dear he it was so glad to see him. He talked to the

1885_8-8-4004-Hartwell copy.jpgJPEG
1.84 MB
OCR Text

Miss Chapmen or art). I understand she did not tell her brother about Miss Re- nata herself, and I was rather sorry at it in my pocket book. But do you think I think? I am glad you congratulated her, for it shows me that you had no design on the lady. Are "Mr. My dear sir have replaced Mr. Grandman's heart, and so smiteth the poor soul." The only one who asked me to do any message was little Ma- Call soon, so I can have some fun. My dear have you not—some sort of a picture of yourself that you can send me & even a tiny type would be very thankfully received. Capt you and Mr Robert Whyte have one taken together? He in his cricket suit and you in your tennis costumes. I think you had better, but at any rate send me some sort of a photo of yourself. I want it for my regret gallery! (That is to pay you back for saying I would not care whether there

1885_8-8-Aug 4001-Hartwell copy.jpgJPEG
1.74 MB
OCR Text

Louisville, Ky. Augt 1885 My dearest Alice: Your delightful letter came Thursday, just when I was beginning to think I must have said something in my letter to offend you, and that you were going to give me the "cut" direct. My spirits went up several degrees on the receipt of that letter. I have been down in the depths since I left the East! Elevated Station with us. It that he was the last friend I saw. It is delightful to be at home again after having been away for over a year. There have been a great many changes. It seems to me that every one I know is married or dead or something. I have been very quiet as yet; and have only had a few callers but next week I anticipate a gay time. I think I may possibly go to Indianapolis for a short visit, and if I do I will have

1885_8-8-Aug 4003-Hartwell copy.jpgJPEG
1.78 MB
OCR Text

yours after all, for a large part of mine was true, while yours was all made up. Am I laughed over that letter! I read it about six times and now for a sweet message for "Bob." What shall I say? That he is my own true love? I can't, for that's not true. That if he tries he may some day be my own true love? I can't, for there is not the slightest possibility of such a thing. That I send my kindest regards and hope he no end of fun, as it is the loveliest place to visit I was ever in. Everyone does so much to entertain you. I had a very cordial one from Douglas Shelley (the author of the Inner Sisterhood - you know) the other day. I saw a splendid burlesque on his latest book the other day, and if I can get a copy I will send it to you. He owed the man who published it, so I may not be able to get one, but I shall try. Douglas is such a case. I hope he will

1885_8-8-Aug 4005-Hartwell copy.jpgJPEG
896.8 KB
OCR Text

may win you for his true love & yes, I think that will do very nicely. I do hope I shall see you in New York next winter & will not be at #33/Sec Ave as I have changed my forwarding place, but I will keep you posted as to where I will be. I am living on peaches and watermelon. Aren't that round & choleric for you? If you can wade through this dream epistle you will do well. I should advise you to take it

1885_8-8-Aug 4006-Hartwell copy.jpgJPEG
795.66 KB
OCR Text

a little at a time. Don't wait so long to answer this please, and do send the photos. I will be at #709 Lucas place until the last of September. With regards of love. As ever your friend Earl R. Hartwell Saturday. #709 Lucas Place Louisville Ky. 9/18 G. Smith

Version History (4 versions)

  • ✓ v4 (current) · 12/9/2025, 9:34:17 PM
    "Added description"
  • v3 · 12/9/2025, 8:14:46 PM · View this version
    "Added knowledge graph extraction"
  • v2 · 12/9/2025, 7:44:00 PM · View this version
    "Added PINAX metadata"
  • v1 · 12/9/2025, 7:21:32 PM · View this version
    "Reorganization group: Correspondence_from_Earl_Hartwell"

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01KC28TYRXXDFG681FVC40CJ8R

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