1890 Jan 4001 Julia Bredt.jpg

Julia Bredt Correspondence Collection

PI

Version: 4 (current) | Updated: 12/9/2025, 9:36:26 PM | Created: 12/9/2025, 7:22:03 PM

Added description

Description

Julia Bredt Correspondence Collection (1890)

Overview

This collection comprises five scanned images of handwritten letters written by Julia Bredt to Elizabeth Alice Austen in 1890. The letters, captured as JPEG files, are accompanied by OCR‑derived transcriptions. They are part of the Alice Austen House Museum’s digitized holdings, representing a snapshot of Victorian social life among Staten Island’s upper‑middle class.

Background

Julia Bredt (born 1866) was a close friend of Alice Austen, the pioneering Staten Island photographer. The letters were produced during a period when Austen was actively building her photographic practice and social network. The correspondence was preserved by the museum and digitized in 2023, making the material accessible to researchers and the public.

Contents

  • January 1890 Letters – Three letters (Jan 4001, Jan 4002, Jan 7 2001) discuss travel plans (e.g., the “Maine Twenty Train”), invitations to parties, and references to acquaintances such as Vernon Pl and Sandra.
  • July 1890 Letters – Two letters (July 1001, July 10 1002) are addressed from Bennington Center, Vermont, and mention the Waltons, New York, and Italy.
Each letter is a JPEG scan of the original manuscript, with OCR text providing a readable transcription. The collection includes both the visual and textual records of the correspondence.

Scope

The collection covers the year 1890, with correspondence originating from Staten Island, NY, and Bennington Center, VT. It focuses on personal friendship, social events (parties, assemblies, teas), and travel arrangements. The material does not include any photographs or other media beyond the letters themselves. The collection offers insight into the social rituals and mobility of late‑Victorian America, particularly within the context of the Austen family’s social circle.

Raw Cheimarros Data

@file_pinax -> documents -> @julia_bredt_correspondence_collection:document {title: "Julia Bredt Correspondence Collection", creator: @julia_bredt, institution: @alice_austen_house_museum, created: @date_1890, language: "en", subjects: ["Correspondence","Social life","Victorian era","Friendship","Parties","Travel"], description: "Letters from Julia Bredt to Alice Austen in 1890 discussing social events, travel plans, and personal matters.", place: ["Staten Island, NY","Bennington Center, Vermont"]}


@julia_bredt:person {full_name: "Julia Bredt", role: "Correspondent"}

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

@alice_austen_house_museum:organization {location: @staten_island_ny}

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

@bennington_center:place {state: @vermont, country: @united_states}

@vernon_pl:person {full_name: "Vernon Pl"}

@sandra:person {full_name: "Sandra"}

@waltons:organization {type: "family"}

@maine_twenty_train:concept {type: "train"}

@assembly:event {description: "boys promised an Assembly"}

@tea_event:event {description: "Saturday tea"}

@party_event:event {description: "Thursday party and spa"}

@train_january_24:concept {date: @date_1890_01_24}


@julia_bredt -> wrote -> @letter_4001:document {title: "Letter Jan 1890 (4001)", when: @date_1890_01, where: @staten_island_ny} 

@letter_4001 -> addressed to -> @alice_austen

@letter_4001 -> mentions -> @vernon_pl

@letter_4001 -> mentions -> @sandra

@letter_4001 -> proposes travel on -> @maine_twenty_train


@julia_bredt -> wrote -> @letter_4002:document {title: "Letter Jan 1890 (4002)", when: @date_1890_01, where: @staten_island_ny}

@letter_4002 -> addressed to -> @alice_austen

@letter_4002 -> invites to -> @party_event


@julia_bredt -> wrote -> @letter_2001:document {title: "Letter Jan 7 1890 (2001)", when: @date_1890_01_07, where: @staten_island_ny}

@letter_2001 -> addressed to -> @alice_austen

@letter_2001 -> mentions -> @assembly

@letter_2001 -> mentions -> @tea_event

@letter_2001 -> proposes travel on -> @train_january_24


@julia_bredt -> wrote -> @letter_1001:document {title: "Letter July 1890 (1001)", when: @date_1890_07, where: @bennington_center}

@letter_1001 -> addressed to -> @alice_austen

@letter_1001 -> mentions -> @waltons


@julia_bredt -> wrote -> @letter_1002:document {title: "Letter July 10 1890 (1002)", when: @date_1890_07_10, where: @bennington_center}

@letter_1002 -> addressed to -> @alice_austen

@letter_1002 -> mentions -> @new_york

@letter_1002 -> mentions -> @italy


@date_1866

@date_1952

@date_1890

@date_1890_01

@date_1890_01_07

@date_1890_01_24

@date_1890_07

@date_1890_07_10

Metadata

Files (5)

1890 Jan 4001 Julia Bredt.jpgJPEG
2.31 MB
OCR Text

My dear Alice, This is an extra letter but I am going to ask you if you haven't come every other week or so with me. From these say you I would like to come on the 24th on the Maine twenty train. I hope that if I fill he will there it be unfortunately I hope and I expect to take a little above two if to the night you girls come, I expect to have a friend Vernon Pl. So you will see each other all the way and I will tell Sandra to look out for you. We are bound to her

1890 Jan 4002 Julia Bredt.jpgJPEG
2.41 MB
OCR Text

Fear for here is a card party Thursday and a spa and another one part. So be sure and come and bring two or three party desire or three that we can make "happy in half." Be sure and let the know right away, Tomorrow. If you ever. Pull phone before there clear, as I want you so much and don't come in February and this will be my/ your firm until about June. Do you want to come I do not fear and I have put my heart on you and Maamma will be dreadfully disappointed if you can not come as breakfast ready I must say good bye du harte Julia Brett. Be sure and let me know as soon as possible

1890 Jan 7 2001 Julia Bredt.jpgJPEG
1.07 MB
OCR Text

My dearest Alice, I am so glad you can come yes I will expect you on the train that gets here at four Friday 24th Jan 00 I have, on the 31st "the boys had promised an Assembly" & Sat a tea, please remember you will not be home before that.— Well it is lucky I got your letter as I have not had one before from you before.—Be sure not to get la grippe goodbye—until later I am in haste Julia. You must excuse this but I am in such a frightful hurry

1890 July 1001 Julia Bredt.jpgJPEG
1.07 MB
OCR Text

Miss Alice Austen The Waltons Bennington Center Vermont

1890 July 1002 Julia Bredt.jpgJPEG
3.42 MB
OCR Text

July 10th, '90 Dear Alice, I have put a very short note to give you my address. Please write me your number before going to the train. Expect house all right to answer your letter. Will I trouble you more very fully to send me of money & things when I get to New York? Have sent he having a fine time. I only had again tonight yours in the house both after you left. And that he's gone to Italy but cheer up for me.

Version History (4 versions)

  • ✓ v4 (current) · 12/9/2025, 9:36:26 PM
    "Added description"
  • v3 · 12/9/2025, 8:19:18 PM · View this version
    "Added knowledge graph extraction"
  • v2 · 12/9/2025, 7:45:39 PM · View this version
    "Added PINAX metadata"
  • v1 · 12/9/2025, 7:22:03 PM · View this version
    "Reorganization group: Julia_Bredt_Correspondence"

Parent

01KC28TQPGXRMM7H20G1NZNMPR

No children (leaf entity)