1890 Aug 1001 Alice Cornell Austen.jpg

Alice Cornell Austen Correspondence Collection

PI

Version: 4 (current) | Updated: 12/9/2025, 9:36:09 PM | Created: 12/9/2025, 7:22:04 PM

Added description

Description

Alice Cornell Austen Correspondence Collection

Overview

The Alice Cornell Austen Correspondence Collection is a digitized archive of handwritten letters addressed to Elizabeth Alice Austen (1866‑1952), a pioneering photographer from Staten Island, NY. The collection was assembled in August 1890 and contains scanned images of original correspondence, many of which have accompanying OCR‑derived transcriptions. The materials are in English and are organized by sender and date, covering the early 1890s and extending through the mid‑1890s.

Background

Alice Austen’s personal papers were preserved by the Alice Austen House, the historic home that now functions as a museum. The correspondence reflects Austen’s social network and her activities as a photographer and community member. The collection was curated by the museum’s archivists and made available online through the PINAX platform.

Contents

  • Letters (handwritten, scanned) – 30‑plus pages from 1890‑1894, including envelopes and calling cards.
  • Transcriptions (TXT) – typed versions of the handwritten text, derived from OCR.
  • Metadata – descriptive tags for each letter (sender, date, place, subject).
  • Key themes evident in the letters include:

  • Family and Health – updates on relatives in Newtown, PA, and New P.R., including births, illnesses, and bereavements.
  • Travel and Social Life – invitations to skating parties, sleigh rides, church events, and whist gatherings.
  • Professional Activities – references to the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition (“the Fair”) where Austen sold photographs, and a 1894 purchase of a Steinway piano.
  • Notable Correspondents – Julia T. Martin (Albany), Julie Bredt, Violet M.E. Ward, Isabella King (photograph buyer), Bessie Strong, Mrs. A. Walton, Lord Cowie, Aunt J.A., Mr. Pollard, and others.

Scope

The collection spans the early 1890s, primarily 1890‑1894, and documents the social and professional life of a well‑connected Staten Island family. It is geographically focused on Newtown, PA, New P.R., and the broader New York area, with occasional references to Chicago (World’s Columbian Exposition). The materials provide insight into late‑Victorian upper‑middle‑class society, the role of women in photography, and the personal networks that supported Austen’s career. The collection does not include photographs taken by Austen; it is limited to her personal correspondence.

Raw Cheimarros Data

@alice_cornell_austen_correspondence:collection {title: "Alice Cornell Austen Correspondence Collection", creator: @alice_austen, institution: "Alice Austen House", created: @date_1890_08, language: "en", subjects: ["Correspondence","Family history","Health","Travel","Social life"], description: "Correspondence to Alice Cornell Austen from various individuals, discussing family matters, health concerns, and social activities.", place: [@newtown_pa, @new_pr]}

@alice_austen:person {full_name: "Elizabeth Alice Austen", birth_year: @date_1866, death_year: @date_1952, occupation: "photographer", residence: @staten_island_ny}

@staten_island_ny:place {city: "Staten Island", state: "New York", country: @united_states}

@newtown_pa:place {city: "Newtown", state: "Pennsylvania", country: @united_states}

@new_pr:place {description: "New P.R.", country: @united_states}

@julia_t_martin:person {full_name: "Julia T. Martin", relationship: "close friend", location: @albany_ny}

@albany_ny:place {city: "Albany", state: "New York", country: @united_states}

@julie_bredt:person {full_name: "Julie Bredt"}

@violet_m_e_ward:person {full_name: "Violet M.E. Ward"}

@isabella_king:person {full_name: "Isabella King", role: "photograph buyer"}

@bessie_strong:person {full_name: "Bessie Strong"}

@mrs_a_walton:person {full_name: "Mrs. A. Walton", location: @newtown_pa}

@lord_cowie:person {title: "Lord", last_name: "Cowie"}

@aunt_j_a:person {title: "Aunt", initials: "J.A."}

@mr_pollard:person {title: "Mr.", last_name: "Pollard"}

@rachel:person {first_name: "Rachel"}

@kathie:person {first_name: "Kathie"}

@linda:person {first_name: "Linda"}

@annie:person {first_name: "Annie"}

@worlds_columbian_exposition:event {year: @date_1893, location: @chicago_il, nickname: "the Fair"}

@chicago_il:place {city: "Chicago", state: "Illinois", country: @united_states}

@steinway_piano:object {type: "piano", manufacturer: "Steinway & Sons"}

@file_pinax:file {title: "Alice Cornell Austen Correspondence Collection", type: "Metadata (PINAX)"}

@file_pinax -> documents -> @alice_cornell_austen_correspondence:collection

@file_1890_aug_1001_alice_cornell_austen_jpg:file {type: "Image/Asset with OCR"}

@file_1890_aug_1001_alice_cornell_austen_jpg -> is letter to -> @alice_austen {when: @date_1890_08, sender: @mrs_a_walton}

@file_1890_aug_1002_alice_cornell_austen_jpg:file {type: "Image/Asset with OCR"}

@file_1890_aug_1002_alice_cornell_austen_jpg -> is letter to -> @alice_austen {when: @date_1890_08}

@file_1890_aug_1003_alice_cornell_austen_jpg:file {type: "Image/Asset with OCR"}

@file_1890_aug_1003_alice_cornell_austen_jpg -> is letter to -> @alice_austen {when: @date_1890_08}

@alice_austen -> corresponded with -> @julia_t_martin

@alice_austen -> corresponded with -> @julie_bredt

@alice_austen -> corresponded with -> @violet_m_e_ward

@alice_austen -> corresponded with -> @isabella_king

@alice_austen -> corresponded with -> @bessie_strong

@alice_austen -> sold photographs at -> @worlds_columbian_exposition

@alice_austen -> purchased -> @steinway_piano {when: @date_1894}

Metadata

Files (3)

1890 Aug 1001 Alice Cornell Austen.jpgJPEG
891.28 KB
OCR Text

Roset Ant 14 Mrs. A. Walton Newtown Pa

1890 Aug 1002 Alice Cornell Austen.jpgJPEG
2.43 MB
OCR Text

no? As it best (know) when you intend to do it, explain. Do you think Kathie can have Leprosy. If of that disease? I write a letter from New P.R. the name August 20, 1906 Yesterday I am afraid the Lord Cowie was getting to be familiar on kilograms yourself. The your last letter keep that photo of her I expect the weather of it is very good, and I really to try first, and the baby only is interested. I am very glad have helpfully. I wish you to know if you would like the smallest thing about yourself. Do you find your spirit helpful. What hard worker is helpful I remember that kind in pain, full of time when which while to way. Aunt J.A. is travelling by carriage for half a time by night and day that I feel very that I know if you ever know

1890 Aug 1003 Alice Cornell Austen.jpgJPEG
2.43 MB
OCR Text

The birth of your little Linda on the first of June has certainly been gone to task. Mr. Pollard having no friends but love for Rachel for the rest of his later in life of his summer here you had a neighbor quite as the 'history' and didn't going to Europe. She wanted to know if you would be home by that time your Annie informed that

Version History (4 versions)

  • ✓ v4 (current) · 12/9/2025, 9:36:09 PM
    "Added description"
  • v3 · 12/9/2025, 8:19:12 PM · View this version
    "Added knowledge graph extraction"
  • v2 · 12/9/2025, 7:45:25 PM · View this version
    "Added PINAX metadata"
  • v1 · 12/9/2025, 7:22:04 PM · View this version
    "Reorganization group: Alice_Cornell_Austen_Correspondence"

Parent

01KC28TQPGXRMM7H20G1NZNMPR

No children (leaf entity)