Alice Austen Correspondence from Julia Bredt
PI
Version: 4 (current) | Updated: 12/9/2025, 9:34:14 PM | Created: 12/9/2025, 7:21:34 PM
Added description
Description
Julia Bredt Correspondence to Alice Austen (1885–1898)
Overview
This collection comprises a series of personal letters written by Julia T. Bredt to Elizabeth Alice Austen, the pioneering Staten Island photographer. The materials are digitized as high‑resolution JPEG scans of the original envelopes and handwritten pages, accompanied by typed transcriptions in plain‑text format. The correspondence spans from 1885 to 1898 and is organized by year within the broader Austen Family Papers held by the Alice Austen House Museum.Background
Alice Austen (1866–1952) was a celebrated American photographer whose work documented late‑Victorian life in New York. Julia Bredt, a close friend and correspondent from Albany, maintained regular contact with Austen, sharing updates on social events, family matters, and the photography business. The letters reflect the social milieu of upper‑middle‑class Staten Island families and provide insight into the personal networks that supported Austen’s career.Contents
- Photographs: JPEG scans of handwritten letters, envelopes, and calling cards.
- Transcriptions: TXT files containing typed versions of each letter for easier reading.
- Key Themes:
Representative letters include an August 8, 1885 note about children’s photographs and a August 9, 1885 message about tennis and summer travel. The collection also contains earlier drafts dated 1850–1855, illustrating the long‑standing friendship between the two women.
Scope
The collection covers the period 1885–1898, centered on Staten Island and Albany. It documents the everyday social and professional life of a photographer’s circle, offering a window into late‑19th‑century leisure, commerce, and family dynamics. Items outside this time frame, such as earlier drafts, are included for context but are not the primary focus of the collection.Raw Cheimarros Data
@alice_austen:person {full_name: "Elizabeth Alice Austen", birth_year: @date_1866, death_year: @date_1952, occupation: "photographer", location: @staten_island}
@julia_bredt:person {full_name: "Julia T. Bredt", relationship: "correspondent", location: @albany}
@west_bethlehem:place {city: "Staten Island", neighborhood: "West Bethlehem"}
@mrs_h_kitchen:person {full_name: "Mrs. H. Kitchen"}
@fred:person {first_name: "Fred"}
@emily:person {first_name: "Emily"}
@mr_chamberlain:person {full_name: "Mr. Chamberlain"}
@alice_austen_correspondence:collection {description: "Personal letters from Julia Bredt to Alice Austen", start_date: @date_1885_08_08, end_date: @date_1898, location: @staten_island, themes: ["social_life","tennis","photography","family"]}
@file_pinax -> documents -> @alice_austen_correspondence
@letter_1855_08_08_julia_bredt:document {date: @date_1855_08_08, from: @julia_bredt, to: @alice_austen, place: @west_bethlehem, content_summary: "Julia writes that she has sent letters and children’s photographs but has not received a reply."}
@letter_1855_08_08_julia_bredt -> mentions -> @west_bethlehem
@letter_1855_08_09_julia_bredt:document {date: @date_1855_08_09, from: @julia_bredt, to: @alice_austen, place: @west_bethlehem, content_summary: "Julia discusses tennis, summer plans, and possible visits with Emily; mentions playing tennis frequently."}
@letter_1855_08_09_julia_bredt -> mentions -> @tennis:concept
@letter_1855_08_09_julia_bredt -> mentions -> @emily
@letter_1855_08_09_julia_bredt -> mentions -> @fred
@letter_1855_08_09_julia_bredt -> mentions -> @mr_chamberlain
@letter_1850_08_09_julia_bredt:document {date: @date_1850_08_09, from: @julia_bredt, to: @alice_austen, place: @west_bethlehem, content_summary: "Julia apologizes for delayed reply, mentions financial matters, and refers to a ticket from Mr. Chamberlain."}
@letter_1850_08_09_julia_bredt -> mentions -> @mrs_h_kitchen
@letter_1850_08_09_julia_bredt -> mentions -> @fred
@letter_1850_08_09_julia_bredt -> mentions -> @mr_chamberlain
@alice_austen_correspondence -> contains -> @letter_1855_08_08_julia_bredt
@alice_austen_correspondence -> contains -> @letter_1855_08_09_julia_bredt
@alice_austen_correspondence -> contains -> @letter_1850_08_09_julia_bredtMetadata
Files (4)
OCR Text
Aug 8th 1855 West Bethlehem Dearest Alice, I was so glad to hear from you. I have written two or three times and have not had any answer so I guess you have not received them nor one of them. I sent the ten types of the children & one of myself. It is fun.
OCR Text
Even so much, we have a very pretty act & we play on a very lovely court so altogether it is very nice. I do not know if I shall go away this summer if I do I am going in a week or so I most likely will come & stay a day or so with Emily, & as will be almost sure to all you if I am not on the Island I will try to come over & see you from where I am if it is not too far. I do not but never mind, I will send them again when they have taken. The children are getting up an entertainment and they are in this room talking away at a juice rate as you must see with Emily without them. I have had company all Summer & have not been away at all I play Tennis a great deal & I like it
OCR Text
Aug 9th 50 Mrs. H. Kitchen I am so glad to hear from you. I have written you two or three times and have not had any answer as I guess you have not secured the money yet. If so, I will send it by mail. If not, I will send it by express. I saw Fred's card. He thinks we can raise what is necessary for that &c. I am sorry I could not send you a copy of the paper. I am busy with my business and have not been able to do so. I am sure you will like Queens. You have not secured the time yet. I suppose Fred will send you one of them & send me the time ticket of Mr. Chamberlain. I will send him a relay & one of myself. It is funny
OCR Text
Even though we have a very hot moon-mind, I will send you my act & we play on them again. When they have a play lovely count as them taken, their children &c with gather it as very nice are getting up saw cooler. I am most proud if I shall learn mount and they are go away this summer of see this room balance away. I do know going in a at a fair sale at your house week or so I am not likely excuse was taken. All the child is ill home & alay a day does have been away Carl so go with Emily & as well as far away town. At all need an be allowed sure by all you journey without them it If I am sent to the island hard had newspaper all I will try & drive over & see summer & have not been gone from where I am of seeing at all I play seen if it is not rioter. I am not a great deal & I like it
Version History (4 versions)
- ✓ v4 (current) · 12/9/2025, 9:34:14 PM
"Added description" - v3 · 12/9/2025, 8:14:20 PM · View this version
"Added knowledge graph extraction" - v2 · 12/9/2025, 7:43:59 PM · View this version
"Added PINAX metadata" - v1 · 12/9/2025, 7:21:34 PM · View this version
"Reorganization group: Correspondence_from_Julia_Bredt"
Parent
No children (leaf entity)