Austen Family Papers (MS1) - Correspondence and Related Materials, 1883-1898

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Version: 12 (current) | Updated: 12/9/2025, 9:57:07 PM | Created: 12/9/2025, 7:30:07 PM

Added description

Description

Alice Austen Envelope Collection, 1898

Overview

The Alice Austen Envelope Collection, 1898 is a digitized set of five postal envelopes addressed to Elizabeth Alice Austen, the pioneering Staten Island photographer. Each item is presented as a high‑resolution JPEG scan of the envelope’s front and reverse sides, with OCR‑extracted text for quick reference. The collection is part of the Austen Family Papers (MS1) housed at the Alice Austen House Museum.

Background

Alice Austen (1866‑1952) was a celebrated photographer and socialite whose correspondence network spanned the upper‑middle‑class communities of Staten Island, the Bronx, and upstate New York. The envelopes were collected by the museum to document the everyday logistics of Austen’s personal and professional life, including the distribution of her photographic work and the maintenance of social ties. The digitization project was completed in 1898, preserving the physical artifacts of Victorian‑era letter writing for scholars and the public.

Contents

  • Envelope 001 – Addressed to “Miss Alice Austen, Rosebank P.O., Staten Island, New York.” Postmark: 10 / 5 / 94. Reverse notes include “ROSE BANCKIN.Y., UNION 1898 RECD. 50+ 10/5/94 Portf 12.”
  • Envelope 004 – “Bronxville N.Y., Jul 4 6‑PM '98.” Reverse: “BRONXVILLE N.Y. JUL 4 6‑PM '98 Miss Alice Austin Racebank, Staten Island N.Y.”
  • Envelope 011 – “Miss Alice Austin, Rosendale P.O., Slaten Galand, New York.” Postmark: 7‑3‑86. Reverse: “25+ 10/37/94 Ref 12 ROSEBAY N.Y. RECEIVED BY B.M. N.Y.”
  • Envelope 013 – “Miss L. A. Austen, Rosebank, Staten Island, N.Y.” Reverse: “+ 0.5 10/5/94 10/4/12.”
  • Envelope 001 (duplicate) – A second scan of Envelope 001, providing a clearer view of the front and back.

The images reveal Victorian‑era envelope styles, postmarks, and handwritten addresses, offering a tangible record of Austen’s communication network.

Scope

The collection comprises five envelopes dated 1898, with postmarks ranging from 1894 to 1898. Geographic focus includes Staten Island (Rosebank, Racebank), Bronxville, Rosendale, and Bolton Landing. The items are limited to physical envelopes; no associated correspondence or photographs are included. The collection thus provides a focused snapshot of Austen’s postal interactions during a formative period of her career.

Raw Cheimarros Data

@date_1883

@pensacola:place {state: "Florida", country: @united_states}

@austen_family_papers:collection {title: "Austen Family Papers (MS1) – Correspondence and Related Materials", creator: [@alice_austen, @julia_t_martin, @eleanor_coleman, @charles_jewett_collins, @henry_loesey_graves, @j_lawrence_mckeever, @b_w_osgood, @a_h_prince], institution: @alice_austen_house, date_range: {start: @date_1883, end: @date_1898}, language: "en", subjects: ["Correspondence","Personal letters","Calling cards","Photography","Victorian social life","Health","Medical treatment","Family","Friendship","Travel","Real estate","Weddings","Social events","Photography business","Music","Envelopes","Postmarks"], description: "Personal correspondence, calling cards, and photography‑related materials spanning 1883‑1898, reflecting social life, health, relationships, and business matters of Alice Austen and her network.", places: [@staten_island, @new_york_city, @albany, @santa_barbara, @los_angeles, @casco_bay, @new_brighton, @madison_avenue_44th, @bolton_landing, @bronxville, @rosebank, @pensacola, @fishkill, @mattawan]}

@alice_austen -> contributed to -> @austen_family_papers

@julia_t_martin -> contributed to -> @austen_family_papers

@eleanor_coleman -> contributed to -> @austen_family_papers

@charles_jewett_collins -> contributed to -> @austen_family_papers

@henry_loesey_graves -> contributed to -> @austen_family_papers

@j_lawrence_mckeever -> contributed to -> @austen_family_papers

@b_w_osgood -> contributed to -> @austen_family_papers

@a_h_prince -> contributed to -> @austen_family_papers

@austen_family_papers -> contains -> @alice_austen_outgoing_correspondence_collection

@austen_family_papers -> contains -> @alice_austen_misc_correspondence_collection

@austen_family_papers -> contains -> @austen_family_wedding_invitations_collection

@austen_family_papers -> contains -> @alice_austen_envelope_collection

@austen_family_papers -> associated with -> [@staten_island, @new_york_city, @albany, @santa_barbara, @los_angeles, @casco_bay, @new_brighton, @madison_avenue_44th, @bolton_landing, @bronxville, @rosebank, @pensacola, @fishkill, @mattawan]

@file_pinax -> documents -> @austen_family_papers

Metadata

Title
Austen Family Papers (MS1) - Correspondence and Related Materials, 1883-1898
Type
Collection
Creator
Alice AustenJulia T. MartinEleanor ColemanCharles Jewett CollinsMrs. Henry Loesey GravesMr. J. Lawrence McKeeverB.W. OsgoodA. H. Prince
Institution
Alice Austen House
Created
1883-1898
Language
en
Subjects
Correspondence, Personal letters, Calling cards, Photography, Victorian social life, Health, Medical treatment, Family, Friendship, Travel, Real estate, Weddings, Social events, Photography business, Music, Envelopes, Postmarks
Rights
Public Domain
Place
Staten Island, New York, New York City, Albany, New York, Santa Barbara, California, Los Angeles, California, Casco Bay, Maine, New Brighton, Staten Island, Madison Avenue & 44th Street, New York City, Bolton Landing, New York, Bronxville, New York, Rosebank, New York, Pensacola, FL, Fishkill, Mattawan
Source
PINAX

Version History (10 versions)

  • ✓ v12 (current) · 12/9/2025, 9:57:07 PM
    "Added description"
  • v11 · 12/9/2025, 9:22:19 PM · View this version
    "Added knowledge graph extraction"
  • v10 · 12/9/2025, 8:06:05 PM · View this version
    "Added PINAX metadata"
  • v9 · 12/9/2025, 7:41:20 PM · View this version
    "Reorganized into 7 groups"
  • v8 · 12/9/2025, 7:41:18 PM · View this version
    "Added child entity 01KC2A3SXGRNGHWGGP1V3ZV0ED"
  • v7 · 12/9/2025, 7:41:16 PM · View this version
    "Added child entity 01KC2A3R32GTQ5N6EV9C7RPKC1"
  • v6 · 12/9/2025, 7:41:15 PM · View this version
    "Added child entity 01KC2A3PMAAVDZ1W6ZRQAPBBDF"
  • v5 · 12/9/2025, 7:41:13 PM · View this version
    "Added child entity 01KC2A3N4QG8FCGV1TKS7G6X0Q"
  • v4 · 12/9/2025, 7:41:11 PM · View this version
    "Added child entity 01KC2A3K724Q765SVHRMPHYXER"
  • v3 · 12/9/2025, 7:41:10 PM · View this version
    "Added child entity 01KC2A3HMY4A2E44H9MNBMMQ5F"

More versions available (pagination not yet implemented)

Additional Components

reorganization-description.txt
# Reorganization Summary

Files were organized primarily by correspondent (Julia Martin, Eleanor Coleman, Charles Jewett Collins) and secondarily by content type (wedding invitations, envelopes). Outgoing correspondence from Alice Austen was grouped separately. Miscellaneous correspondence that didn't fit these categories was grouped together. Envelopes without significant content were grouped separately. This organization maintains the historical relationships between correspondents while grouping similar materials together.

## Groups Created

- **Julia_Martin_Correspondence**: Letters and related materials concerning Julia Martin's health and personal affairs, including her appendicitis operation and recovery
- **Eleanor_Coleman_Correspondence**: Letters from Eleanor Coleman regarding Julia Martin's health and personal matters
- **Charles_Jewett_Collins_Correspondence**: Letters from Charles Jewett Collins discussing photography and personal matters
- **Wedding_Invitations**: Formal wedding invitations received by Alice Austen
- **Alice_Austen_Outgoing_Correspondence**: Letters written by Alice Austen to others
- **Miscellaneous_Correspondence**: Letters from various correspondents not fitting other categories
- **Envelopes**: Envelopes and postal materials without significant content

Parent

↑ 01KC260NRT5CT0JJNXBYT511ND

Children (7)