1891_4-1-maybe-Julia Bredt April 1 001 copy.jpg

Alice Austen Correspondence from Julie Bredt

PI

Version: 4 (current) | Updated: 12/9/2025, 9:38:57 PM | Created: 12/9/2025, 7:24:45 PM

Added description

Description

Julie Bredt Correspondence to Alice Austen, April 1 1891

Overview

This collection comprises four handwritten letters written by Julie Bredt to photographer and Staten Island resident Elizabeth Alice Austen on April 1, 1891. The letters have been digitized as JPEG scans and accompanied by OCR‑derived text. They form part of the Austen Family Papers (MS1) housed at the Alice Austen House Museum, within the 1883‑1898 correspondence folder.

Background

Alice Austen (1866‑1952) was a pioneering American photographer whose personal papers include extensive social and business correspondence. Julie Bredt was a close friend and frequent correspondent, whose letters reveal the social milieu of late‑Victorian Staten Island and the broader New York‑area elite. The 1891 letters were penned while Bredt was in Germantown, Pennsylvania, and reflect her travel plans, gossip, and friendship with Austen.

Contents

The four letters discuss:
  • Bredt’s stay in Germantown with Claire Chapman and her observations of the Browns on School Lane.
  • A joke about an “arrow head” and references to the Aubergers and a “G. Brother.”
  • A desire to travel to Europe, specifically a June trip to Munich and a planned visit to England.
  • Mentions of Will, photographs, and Austen’s sale of images at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition.
  • Social gossip involving Emily Scott, a man, Dr. Pratt, and Anna Halloway.

Each letter is presented as a scanned image with accompanying OCR text, allowing both visual and textual analysis.

Scope

The collection covers a single date (April 1, 1891) and contains only personal correspondence from Bredt to Austen. It does not include business records, photographs, or other materials. The letters provide a snapshot of Victorian social life, travel aspirations, and the close friendship between Bredt and Austen, offering insight into the personal networks that surrounded the photographer’s career.

Raw Cheimarros Data

@file_pinax:document {title: "Alice Austen Correspondence from Julie Bredt", creator: [@julie_bredt], institution: "Alice Austen House", created: @date_1891_04_01, language: "en", subjects: ["Correspondence","Social life","Travel","Friendship","Victorian era"], description: "A collection of letters from Julie Bredt to Alice Austen, discussing travel, social activities, and personal relationships.", places: [@germantown, @staten_island, @europe]}

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

@julie_bredt:person {full_name: "Julie Bredt", relationship: "correspondent"}

@claire_chapman:person {full_name: "Claire Chapman"}

@dr_pratt:person {full_name: "Dr. Pratt"}

@anna_halloway:person {full_name: "Anna Halloway"}

@germantown:place {region: "Philadelphia", state: "Pennsylvania", country: @united_states}

@school_lane:place {type: "street"}

@munich:place {country: @germany}

@will:person {full_name: "Will"}

@letter_1891_04_01_001:document {type: "letter", when: @date_1891_04_01, from: @julie_bredt, to: @alice_austen, content_summary: "Julie describes being in Germantown with Claire Chapman, mentions traveling, desire to go to Europe, asks about the Browns on School Lane"}

@letter_1891_04_01_002:document {type: "letter", when: @date_1891_04_01, from: @julie_bredt, to: @alice_austen, content_summary: "Julie comments on the Aubergers, mentions a joke about an arrow head, and references a G. Brother who asks about Alice"}

@letter_1891_04_01_003:document {type: "letter", when: @date_1891_04_01, from: @julie_bredt, to: @alice_austen, content_summary: "Letter signed by Dr. Pratt (Anna Halloway), includes queries about Emily Scott, a man, and other social gossip"}

@letter_1891_04_01_004:document {type: "letter", when: @date_1891_04_01, from: @julie_bredt, to: @alice_austen, content_summary: "Julie mentions desire to travel to Europe, possible June trip to Munich, and plans to visit England; also references photos and Will"}

@julie_bredt -> wrote -> @letter_1891_04_01_001

@julie_bredt -> wrote -> @letter_1891_04_01_002

@julie_bredt -> wrote -> @letter_1891_04_01_003

@julie_bredt -> wrote -> @letter_1891_04_01_004

@letter_1891_04_01_001 -> mentions -> @germantown

@letter_1891_04_01_001 -> mentions -> @claire_chapman

@letter_1891_04_01_001 -> mentions -> @school_lane

@letter_1891_04_01_001 -> mentions -> @browns {type: "family"}

@letter_1891_04_01_001 -> expresses desire to travel to -> @europe

@letter_1891_04_01_002 -> mentions -> @aubergers {type: "family"}

@letter_1891_04_01_002 -> mentions -> @g_brother {description: "G. Brother who asks about Alice"}

@letter_1891_04_01_003 -> mentions -> @dr_pratt

@letter_1891_04_01_003 -> mentions -> @anna_halloway

@letter_1891_04_01_003 -> mentions -> @emily_scott {type: "person"}

@letter_1891_04_01_004 -> expresses desire to travel to -> @europe

@letter_1891_04_01_004 -> plans trip to -> @munich {when: @date_1891_06}

@letter_1891_04_01_004 -> plans visit to -> @england

@letter_1891_04_01_004 -> mentions -> @will

@letter_1891_04_01_004 -> mentions -> @photos {type: "photographs"}

@alice_austen -> sold photographs at -> @worlds_columbian_exposition_1893:event

@worlds_columbian_exposition_1893:event {name: "World's Columbian Exposition", year: @date_1893}

@alice_austen -> received letters from -> @julie_bredt

@alice_austen -> received letters from -> @julia_t_martin:person {full_name: "Julia T. Martin", relationship: "friend in Albany"}

@alice_austen -> received letters from -> @violet_m_e_ward:person {full_name: "Violet M.E. Ward", relationship: "friend"}

@alice_austen -> received letters from -> @isabella_king:person {full_name: "Isabella King", relationship: "photograph buyer"}

@alice_austen -> received letters from -> @bessie_strong:person {full_name: "Bessie Strong", relationship: "correspondent"}

Metadata

Files (4)

1891_4-1-maybe-Julia Bredt April 1 001 copy.jpgJPEG
2.15 MB
OCR Text

Every one seems to be away traveling round the country. It is the strangest thing a friend of mine fails on the 19th. I would have loved to go to Europe with them, but they are going to make a little and expensive trip it. So my Mamma said no, I did not mind so very much still I do want to go somewhere don't you? To see something of the world you know we are so young. April First. My dear Alice: I have a jolly little collection of five letters here. This is only the sixth out of all written today. I am in Germantown and have been here for two weeks with Claire Chapman. It is a perfect spot. I think "school lane" is about right? Don't you? I have met some lovely people and have had a very pleasant time. Did you meet the Browns on School Lane? They have

1891_4-1-maybe-Julia Bredt April 1 002 copy.jpgJPEG
2.15 MB
OCR Text

Such a pretty house and their furniture so pretty. I have not been to see the Aubergers, I hear now and then about you from G. Brother he seems to take quite an interest in you he asks all about you etc. etc., but I think he knows as much as I do. But that was a joke about that arrow head? wasn't it? We made such a fuss over it. Alice Do you want you would say I have said withold you? How truly you must be with all. Nevertheless, to let you strange

1891_4-1-maybe-Julia Bredt April 1 003 copy.jpgJPEG
1.97 MB
OCR Text

I have not decided where we can go before then we will settle it. Although I would like to start at once say not? By the way what a joke about Emily Scott I got cards just to think of her? Who is the man is he rich etc. etc. tell me all about it, any way how Who is she? Where are they to live? We so simply ridiculous might have a large problem till me all. My dear girl this is a dreadful account but you must recollect it is still in dark with me. Ever more remember who is your From I am Dr. Pratt Ever Yours Truly Anna Halloway

1891_4-1-maybe-Julia Bredt April 1 004 copy.jpgJPEG
1.94 MB
OCR Text

This letter is the most ridiculous thing, nothing but the same words used ten times on a page but you will see. Julie and would like so much to see something of the world you know? I will remind Will about the photos they were elegant. I am not at all sure about this summer I rather expect to go to Munich in June, and I have two or three other invites but I think I will have lots of time to come to England, & I think it smart of you to ask me, and if we

Version History (4 versions)

  • ✓ v4 (current) · 12/9/2025, 9:38:57 PM
    "Added description"
  • v3 · 12/9/2025, 8:27:11 PM · View this version
    "Added knowledge graph extraction"
  • v2 · 12/9/2025, 7:47:26 PM · View this version
    "Added PINAX metadata"
  • v1 · 12/9/2025, 7:24:45 PM · View this version
    "Reorganization group: Julie_Bredt_Correspondence"

Parent

01KC28TQZF4SPVXEB8P9XQ1DZ4

No children (leaf entity)