1892_1-20-Jan 5002-de-la-serna copy.jpg

Alice Austen Correspondence from de la Serna Family

PI

Version: 4 (current) | Updated: 12/9/2025, 9:40:06 PM | Created: 12/9/2025, 7:27:09 PM

Added description

Description

Alice Austen Correspondence from the de La Serna Family

Overview

This collection comprises personal letters sent by the de La Serna family to Elizabeth Alice Austen (1866‑1952), a pioneering photographer and resident of Staten Island. The materials were created on 20 January 1892 and are preserved as a scanned image of the original letter, an OCR‑derived text file, and accompanying metadata. The collection is housed in the Alice Austen House Museum’s archival holdings.

Background

The de La Serna family were prominent New York socialites of the late nineteenth century. Their correspondence with Austen reflects the close friendship that developed between Austen’s household and the family’s New York City residence at 43 West 19th Street. The letter was written during a period of personal hardship for the family, as the de La Serna children faced health challenges and the family planned a trip to Mexico for a milder climate.

Contents

  • Letter (1892‑01‑20) – A handwritten missive from the de La Serna family to Austen, expressing regret for a delayed visit, detailing a foot injury, and announcing an impending journey to Mexico for health reasons.
  • OCR Text – Machine‑read transcription of the letter’s content.
  • Metadata – Structured information including creator, date, place of origin (New York, NY), destination (Mexico), and subject tags such as “travel,” “family health,” and “Victorian‑era social life.”

The letter’s tone is courteous and intimate, offering a glimpse into the social etiquette of the era and the personal concerns of a well‑connected family.

Scope

The collection covers a single correspondence dated 20 January 1892, situated in New York City with references to Mexico. It focuses on personal communication, family health issues, travel plans, and social engagements. The materials are limited to the de La Serna family’s letters to Austen and do not include responses or broader archival context beyond this specific exchange.

Raw Cheimarros Data

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

@de_la_serna_family:organization {type: "family"}

@west_19th_street:place {address: "43 West 19th Street, New York, NY"}

@letter_1892_01_20:document {author: @de_la_serna_family, recipient: @alice_austen, when: @date_1892_01_20, where: @west_19th_street, content: "Apology for delayed correspondence, foot injury, plans to travel to Mexico for health reasons"}

@alice_austen_correspondence_de_la_serna:collection {title: "Alice Austen Correspondence from de la Serna Family", creator: @de_la_serna_family, institution: @alice_austen_house, created: @date_1892_01_20, description: "Correspondence from the de la Serna family to Alice Austen discussing family health, travel plans to Mexico, and social engagements"}

@file_pinax:file {title: "Alice Austen Correspondence from de la Serna Family", type: "Metadata (PINAX)", creator: @de_la_serna_family, institution: @alice_austen_house, created: @date_1892_01_20, language: "en", subjects: ["Correspondence","Personal letters","Victorian-era social life","Travel","Family health"], description: "A collection of correspondence from the de la Serna family to Alice Austen, discussing family health issues, travel plans to Mexico, and social engagements"}

@file_1892_1_20_jan_5002_de_la_serna_copy_jpg:file {type: "Image/Asset with OCR", description: "Scanned letter from de la Serna family to Alice Austen dated Jan 20, 1892"}

@alice_austen_correspondence_de_la_serna -> contains -> @letter_1892_01_20

@letter_1892_01_20 -> mentions -> @mexico:place

@letter_1892_01_20 -> mentions -> @west_19th_street

@de_la_serna_family -> plans to travel to -> @mexico {when: @date_1892_01_20, reason: "health"}

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

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

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

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

@bessie_strong:person {full_name: "Bessie Strong", relationship: "friend"}

Metadata

Files (1)

1892_1-20-Jan 5002-de-la-serna copy.jpgJPEG
2.03 MB
OCR Text

43 WEST 19TH STREET. Jan 20th /92. My dear Alice, You must think that I ought to be ashamed of myself, & certainly my conduct towards you, seems rude, but I have had so much trouble since last I had the pleasure of seeing you, that you will be kind enough to forgive me I am sure. The winter has been very trying to us all, but my sister's baby, has suffered the most so much so, that we are compelled to look for milder climate & I'm intend leaving for Mexico at the end of this month. I had looked forward to a day this week when I would call on you to say good bye, but I have injured my right foot & I am confined to my bed until the day of the departure. It is a great disappointment to me, not to be able to have the pleasure of seeing you & your mother. But I have no hope of being able to walk for a while. These few lines well say good bye to you, & with my kindest regards to your mother whom I regret very much not having seen before me, my dear Alice. Very Sincerely your friend

Version History (4 versions)

  • ✓ v4 (current) · 12/9/2025, 9:40:06 PM
    "Added description"
  • v3 · 12/9/2025, 8:30:35 PM · View this version
    "Added knowledge graph extraction"
  • v2 · 12/9/2025, 7:48:25 PM · View this version
    "Added PINAX metadata"
  • v1 · 12/9/2025, 7:27:09 PM · View this version
    "Reorganization group: Correspondence_de_la_Serna"

Parent

01KC28TMWX8MXKZ244FJNMNVZV

No children (leaf entity)