1888_8-24-Grace Aug 24001 copy.jpg

Alice Austen Correspondence with Grace, 1888

PI

Version: 4 (current) | Updated: 12/9/2025, 9:35:27 PM | Created: 12/9/2025, 7:22:20 PM

Added description

Description

Grace Correspondence Collection (1888)

Overview

The Grace Correspondence Collection comprises a set of scanned images and OCR‑derived text of a single personal letter written by Grace (a close friend of Alice Austen) to Elizabeth Alice Austen on August 24, 1888. The material is presented as five JPEG copies of the original hand‑written letter, each accompanied by machine‑readable transcriptions. The collection is part of the Austen Family Papers (MS1) housed at the Alice Austen House Museum in Staten Island, New York.

Background

Alice Austen (1866‑1952) was a pioneering American photographer whose papers document her professional and social life. This collection reflects the broader context of late‑Victorian social networks among Staten Island’s upper‑middle class. Grace’s letter illustrates the close personal ties that sustained Austen’s community, offering insight into the social customs, travel patterns, and family relationships of the era.

Contents

  • Five scanned images of the August 24, 1888 letter (JPG format, ~4 MB each).
  • OCR‑generated text excerpts providing a typed transcription of the letter’s content.
  • Metadata describing the letter’s provenance, date, and subject matter.
The letter itself recounts Grace’s summer vacation, travels to Saratoga and Lake George, visits to New Rochelle, and stays at Fort William Henry and Sagamore. It references numerous acquaintances—Bella, Claire, Julie Bredt, Louvie, Dr. Culliton, Sue and Lewis Cropperthwait, and Sophie—highlighting social engagements, engagements, and familial updates.

Scope

The collection covers a single, dated personal correspondence from 1888, situated within the broader Austen Family Papers. It focuses on personal and social themes: travel, family relations, and community events. The material is limited to English text and does not include additional photographs or ancillary documents, but it provides a valuable snapshot of Victorian social life in the New York metropolitan area.

Raw Cheimarros Data

@file_pinax:document {title: "Alice Austen Correspondence with Grace, 1888", creator: @grace, institution: "Alice Austen House", created: @date_1888_08_24, language: "en", subjects: ["Personal correspondence","Social life","Family relationships","Travel","Staten Island","New York","Saratoga","Lake George"]}

@letter_1888_08_24:document {type: "personal letter", author: @grace, recipient: @alice_austen, date: @date_1888_08_24}

@file_pinax -> documents -> @letter_1888_08_24:document

@file_1888_8_24_grace_aug_24001_copy_jpg:file {format: "image", ocr: true} {source: @letter_1888_08_24:document}

@file_1888_8_24_grace_aug_24002_copy_jpg:file {format: "image", ocr: true} {source: @letter_1888_08_24:document}

@file_1888_8_24_grace_aug_24003_copy_jpg:file {format: "image", ocr: true} {source: @letter_1888_08_24:document}

@file_1888_8_24_grace_aug_24004_copy_jpg:file {format: "image", ocr: true} {source: @letter_1888_08_24:document}

@file_1888_8_24_grace_aug_24005_copy_jpg:file {format: "image", ocr: true} {source: @letter_1888_08_24:document}

@grace:person {full_name: "Grace", role: "correspondent"}

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

@date_1888_08_24

@date_1866

@date_1952

@bella:person {first_name: "Bella"}

@claire:person {first_name: "Claire"}

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

@louvie:person {first_name: "Louvie"}

@dr_culliton:person {title: "Dr.", last_name: "Culliton"}

@sue_cropperthwait:person {first_name: "Sue", last_name: "Cropperthwait"}

@lewis_cropperthwait:person {first_name: "Lewis", last_name: "Cropperthwait"}

@sophie:person {first_name: "Sophie"}

@park_ave_ny:place {address: "2290 Park Ave, New York, NY"}

@staten_island:place

@saratoga_ny:place {state: "New York", country: @united_states}

@lake_george_ny:place {state: "New York", country: @united_states}

@new_rochelle_ny:place {state: "New York", country: @united_states}

@fort_william_henry:place {type: "hotel", location: @saratoga_ny}

@sagamore:place {type: "hotel", location: @lake_george_ny}

@grace -> wrote -> @letter_1888_08_24:document

@letter_1888_08_24:document -> addressed to -> @alice_austen

@letter_1888_08_24:document -> mentions -> @bella

@letter_1888_08_24:document -> mentions -> @claire

@letter_1888_08_24:document -> mentions -> @julie_bredt

@letter_1888_08_24:document -> mentions -> @louvie

@letter_1888_08_24:document -> mentions -> @dr_culliton

@letter_1888_08_24:document -> mentions -> @sue_cropperthwait

@letter_1888_08_24:document -> mentions -> @lewis_cropperthwait

@letter_1888_08_24:document -> mentions -> @sophie

@grace -> traveled to -> [@saratoga_ny, @lake_george_ny, @new_rochelle_ny] {companions: [@sue_cropperthwait, @lewis_cropperthwait]}

@grace -> visited -> @sophie {location: @new_rochelle_ny}

@grace -> stayed at -> @fort_william_henry

@grace -> stayed at -> @sagamore

@grace -> wrote about -> @julie_bredt {status: "engagement postponed to fall"}

Metadata

Files (5)

1888_8-24-Grace Aug 24001 copy.jpgJPEG
3.8 MB
OCR Text

2290 Park Ave N.Y. August 24th Dear Alice, What has become of you? I can't think you dead, for then I believe I should have heard something; but as it is I have heard nothing since Christmas. I had hoped to have seen you last winter when Bella was in town but it seemed to be impossible and now I am almost afraid you want to forget me. If that is it—just let me know and I won't bother you again, only I hope that is not your reason. I expected to see Bella this summer, but it is your way in which people will

1888_8-24-Grace Aug 24002 copy.jpgJPEG
3.83 MB
OCR Text

acquainted—never seen. So next: I saw Claire in the cars some time ago but only to bow to. And how is Julie; I heard that she was to be married in the early summer afterwards that it was put off till fall. I know I ought to have written to congratulate her when I heard of her engagement, but (I know it sounds worse than foolish) I am always so very busy that I had to put it off and put it off, until finally I was ashamed too. Wish you would write and tell me all about the girls also let them know that I never forget them and would love dearly to see them again. A friend staying where Dr. Culliton is stopping

1888_8-24-Grace Aug 24003 copy.jpgJPEG
3.93 MB
OCR Text

tells us that Louvie is very much admired and is so very beautiful. Last winter I met several people who knew some of the old French on Staten Island and it was so pleasant to hear of them again. I have only been home about three weeks from my vacation; before I went I was all tired out and run down, but am feeling much better now. I had the loveliest summer I have ever spent—I spent most of the time with my cousins in the central part of the state, and had the jolliest kind of a time. The country is lovely about here and the walks and drives were

1888_8-24-Grace Aug 24004 copy.jpgJPEG
3.96 MB
OCR Text

beautiful; there we had the liveliest kind of a party. All the family are so lively and kept the house filled with company. We generally have from twelve to fifteen to meals while there. A party of us went on a trip to Saratoga and Lake George. My two cousins Sue and Lewis Cropperthwait and myself. We had a splendid time, we stayed at the Fort William Henry or Sagamore, had a steamer launch on the lake and when I reached home again I was quite fat and brown. Altogether I have had a lovely summer; but I think it makes it hard to go back to work again, though I am getting used to it now. To-morow

1888_8-24-Grace Aug 24005 copy.jpgJPEG
3.63 MB
OCR Text

afternoon I am going up in the country to see Sophie. She has a husband and a baby I suppose you know though I can hardly realize it. They are living up on the New Rochelle road and I expect to spend Sunday with them. What is the latest news with the other girls—are any more married or engaged? Once in a while hear rumors; It is passover here time and I must close. Do let me hear from you soon, and believe me with ever so much love Yours sincerely, Grace

Version History (4 versions)

  • ✓ v4 (current) · 12/9/2025, 9:35:27 PM
    "Added description"
  • v3 · 12/9/2025, 8:17:15 PM · View this version
    "Added knowledge graph extraction"
  • v2 · 12/9/2025, 7:44:45 PM · View this version
    "Added PINAX metadata"
  • v1 · 12/9/2025, 7:22:20 PM · View this version
    "Reorganization group: Correspondence_Grace"

Parent

01KC28TTNA95H5GBNB0G7GZH3A

No children (leaf entity)