Austen Family Papers (MS1) - Alice Austen Correspondence Collection, 1895

PI

Version: 10 (current) | Updated: 12/9/2025, 9:56:15 PM | Created: 12/9/2025, 7:30:01 PM

Added description

Description

Ericson A. Nichols Invitation to Alice Austen (1895)

Overview

This collection preserves a single Victorian‑era invitation sent by Ericson A. Nichols to Elizabeth Alice Austen on September 27, 1895. It consists of a scanned image of the handwritten letter, a scanned image of the envelope, and accompanying OCR‑derived text. The items are housed in the Alice Austen House Museum’s archival holdings and were digitized by the PINAX project.

Background

Elizabeth Alice Austen (1866‑1952) was a pioneering photographer and long‑time resident of Staten Island, New York. In the late 19th century, upper‑middle‑class Staten Island society often organized informal gatherings such as evening sailings. Ericson A. Nichols, a contemporary friend of Austen, invited her to a “moonlight sail” that weekend, reflecting the social customs of the era. The invitation was addressed to “Miss Alice Austin” (a common misspelling of Austen’s name) and the envelope was addressed to “Miss Alice Austin, Rosebank P.O., Staten Island.”

Contents

  • Letter (1895‑09‑27) – A handwritten invitation in English, expressing Nichols’ pleasure at joining Austen on a moonlight sail. The letter notes that Morton regrets he cannot attend due to an out‑of‑town engagement.
  • Envelope – Addressed to Miss Alice Austin, Rosebank P.O., Staten Island, with Nichols’ return address implied.
  • Digital files – JPEG scans of the letter (≈1.3 MB) and envelope (≈0.8 MB), each accompanied by OCR‑generated text for searchable access.
  • Metadata – Includes creation date, creator, institution, and subject tags such as “Correspondence,” “Invitations,” “Social life,” and “Victorian era.”

Scope

The collection covers a single event—the invitation to a moonlight sail on September 27, 1895. It is limited to the original invitation letter and its envelope, with no additional correspondence or related documents. The materials provide a snapshot of personal social interactions among Staten Island residents during the late Victorian period and illustrate the informal leisure practices of the era.

Raw Cheimarros Data

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@file_pinax -> documents -> @austen_family_papers

@austen_family_papers -> includes -> @julia_faber_martin

@austen_family_papers -> includes -> @trude

@austen_family_papers -> includes -> @jessie_w_munroe

@austen_family_papers -> includes -> @daisy_elliot

@austen_family_papers -> includes -> @w_ewing

@austen_family_papers -> includes -> @ericson_nichols

@austen_family_papers -> recipient -> @alice_austen

@austen_family_papers -> covers -> @photography_business:event

@austen_family_papers -> covers -> @moonlight_sail:event

@austen_family_papers -> covers -> @worlds_fair_1893

@austen_family_papers -> covers -> @travel_experience:concept

@austen_family_papers -> covers -> @gift:concept

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@austen_family_papers -> associated with -> @franklin_county_ny

@austen_family_papers -> associated with -> @loon_lake

@austen_family_papers -> associated with -> @saranac

@austen_family_papers -> associated with -> @placid

@austen_family_papers -> associated with -> @paris

@austen_family_papers -> associated with -> @london

@austen_family_papers -> associated with -> @san_servan

@austen_family_papers -> associated with -> @italy

@austen_family_papers -> associated with -> @bay_of_naples

@austen_family_papers -> associated with -> @cocanut_grove_fla

@alice_austen -> discussed in -> @austen_family_papers {role: "central recipient"}

@alice_austen -> sold photographs from -> @worlds_fair_1893

@alice_austen -> invited to -> @moonlight_sail:event

@alice_austen -> received gift -> @gift:concept

@alice_austen -> traveled to -> @paris

@alice_austen -> traveled to -> @london

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@alice_austen -> traveled to -> @bay_of_naples

@alice_austen -> vacationed in -> @adirondacks

@alice_austen -> photographed -> @photography_business:event

Metadata

Title
Austen Family Papers (MS1) - Alice Austen Correspondence Collection, 1895
Type
Collection
Creator
Julia Faber MartinTrudeJessie W. MunroeDaisy ElliotW. EwingEricson A. Nichols
Institution
Alice Austen House
Created
1895
Language
en
Subjects
Personal correspondence, Victorian social life, Family relationships, Photography, Adirondacks, Vacation, Nature, Gifts, Travel, Europe, Invitations, Moonlight sail
Place
Bay Head, NJ, Staten Island, NY, Adirondacks, Lake Kushaqua, Franklin County, NY, Loon Lake, Saranac, Placid, Paris, France, London, England, San Servan, Bretagne, France, Italy, Bay of Naples, Cocanut Grove, Fla.
Source
PINAX

Version History (10 versions)

  • ✓ v10 (current) · 12/9/2025, 9:56:15 PM
    "Added description"
  • v9 · 12/9/2025, 9:21:29 PM · View this version
    "Added knowledge graph extraction"
  • v8 · 12/9/2025, 8:05:22 PM · View this version
    "Added PINAX metadata"
  • v7 · 12/9/2025, 7:37:25 PM · View this version
    "Reorganized into 5 groups"
  • v6 · 12/9/2025, 7:37:24 PM · View this version
    "Added child entity 01KC29WMR85C1MF2GPA0XCR17T"
  • v5 · 12/9/2025, 7:37:22 PM · View this version
    "Added child entity 01KC29WK0XDB9FWX73J1RN9AH4"
  • v4 · 12/9/2025, 7:37:20 PM · View this version
    "Added child entity 01KC29WHH9SJ0T5J5E65T91GWV"
  • v3 · 12/9/2025, 7:37:19 PM · View this version
    "Added child entity 01KC29WG3FZ3938K2BZBWXR8KZ"
  • v2 · 12/9/2025, 7:37:17 PM · View this version
    "Added child entity 01KC29WEBNWG77G1CKNDS3V47E"
  • v1 · 12/9/2025, 7:30:01 PM · View this version
    "Alphabetical chunk 3/3 (17 files)"

Additional Components

reorganization-description.txt
# Reorganization Summary

Files were organized primarily by correspondent and thematic content, with special attention to maintaining chronological order within correspondent groups. The Trude Adirondacks letters were kept together as they form a continuous narrative about a single trip. All envelope/address files were paired with their corresponding letters when possible. The organization reflects both social relationships (correspondents) and significant events (travel accounts).

## Groups Created

- **Julia_Faber_Martin_Correspondence**: Letters from Julia Faber Martin to Alice Austen discussing personal matters and photography
- **Trude_Adirondacks_Correspondence**: Series of letters from Trude describing travels in the Adirondacks, including social activities and photography opportunities
- **Jessie_Munroe_Correspondence**: Thank you note from Jessie W. Munroe acknowledging a gift from Alice
- **Daisy_Elliot_Europe_Travel**: Letters from Daisy Elliot describing travels in France and England
- **Ericson_Nichols_Invitation**: Response to an invitation for a moonlight sail

Parent

↑ 01KC260SGBNB1603JQ8PGD7551

Children (5)