Austen Family Papers (MS1) - 1893 Correspondence Collection

PI

Version: 4 (current) | Updated: 12/9/2025, 9:55:40 PM | Created: 12/9/2025, 7:30:15 PM

Added description

Description

Austen Family Papers (MS1) – 1893 Correspondence Collection

Overview

This digitized collection comprises the 1893 correspondence of Alice Austen (1866‑1952), a pioneering American photographer from Staten Island. The archive contains scanned images of handwritten letters, envelopes, calling cards, and negative sleeves, together with typed transcriptions of the same documents. The materials were organized into a single year‑based folder and are available as JPEG images, PDF photocopies, and Word transcriptions.

Background

Alice Austen operated a small photography studio in New York City and was active in the social circles of the upper‑middle class of late‑Victorian New York. The 1893 correspondence reflects her professional activities—particularly her participation in the Chicago World’s Columbian Exposition—and her personal relationships with friends, family, and business associates. The collection was curated by the Alice Austen House Museum and is in the public domain.

Contents

  • Personal Letters: 70‑plus letters written to and from Austen, addressed to relatives and friends such as Julia T. Martin (Albany), Julie Bredt (New Jersey), Violet M.E. Ward (Lexington), and Bessie Strong (New Brunswick).
  • Business Correspondence: Requests for photographic plates, sales of photographs from the 1893 Exposition, and communications with Isabella King, a buyer of her images.
  • Social Notes: Mentions of skating parties, whist gatherings, church events, and the purchase of a Steinway piano.
  • Photographic Materials: Negative sleeves and related documentation.
  • Transcriptions: Typed versions of the handwritten letters, provided in both plain text and Word formats.

Scope

The collection covers the calendar year 1893 and documents Austen’s activities across Staten Island, New York City, Chicago, and other New England locales. It illustrates the intersection of photography, commerce, and social life in the late 19th century, offering insight into the networks of women and the cultural milieu of the era. The archive is useful for scholars of photography, women's history, and New York social history.

Raw Cheimarros Data

@alice_austen:person {birth:@date_1866, death:@date_1952, occupation:"photographer", location:@staten_island}

@austen_family_papers:document {title:"Austen Family Papers (MS1)", creator:@alice_austen, date_range:{start:@date_1883, end:@date_1898}}

@file_pinax:file -> documents -> @austen_family_papers

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

@new_brunswick:place {state:"New Jersey", country:@united_states}

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

@bennington_vt:place {state:"Vermont", country:@united_states}

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

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

@chicago:place {state:"Illinois", country:@united_states}

@worlds_columbian_exposition:event {year:@date_1893, location:@chicago, also_known_as:"the Fair"}

@alice_photography_business:concept {type:"photography studio", owner:@alice_austen}

@fair_photographs:document {title:"Photographs from the Fair", creator:@alice_austen, subject:@worlds_columbian_exposition, when:@date_1893}

@julia_martin:person {full_name:"Julia T. Martin", relation:"close friend", location:@albany}

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

@violet_ward:person {full_name:"Violet M.E. Ward"}

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

@bessie_strong:person {full_name:"Bessie Strong"}

@helen_randall:person {full_name:"Helen Constance Randall"}

@adele_quartley_brown:person {full_name:"Adele Quartley Brown"}

@ralph_monroe:person {full_name:"Ralph Middleton Monroe"}

@charles_ludlow:person {full_name:"Charles B. Ludlow"}

@henry_gilman:person {full_name:"Henry Gilman"}

@trude_eccleston:person {full_name:"Trude Eccleston"}

@skating_party:concept {type:"social event"}

@whist_party:concept {type:"social event"}

@church_event:concept {type:"social event"}

@music:concept {type:"art"}

@steainway_piano:concept {type:"musical instrument"}

@letter_jan2_1893_randall:document {author:"Helen Constance Randall", recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_01_02, location:@new_brunswick, content:"letter about picture delivery and social remarks"}

@letter_jan16_1893_julia:document {author:@julia_martin, recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_01_16, location:@albany, content:"updates on health, travel, and social plans"}

@letter_jan16_1893_lynch:document {author:"Elizabeth M. Lynch", recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_01_16, location:@flushing, content:"invitation to visit"}

@letter_jan27_1893_bessie:document {author:@bessie_strong, recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_01_27, location:@new_brunswick, content:"details of whist party, junior ball, health, and travel plans"}

@letter_jan29_1893_julia_bennington:document {author:@julia_martin, recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_01_29, location:@bennington_vt, content:"sympathy for Mrs. Irving's death and social observations"}

@letter_feb6_1893_adele:document {author:@adele_quartley_brown, recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_02_06, location:@new_york, content:"costume description for a whist party"}

@letter_mar5_1893_ralph:document {author:@ralph_monroe, recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_03_05, location:@cocoanut_grove, content:"request for photographic plates"}

@letter_mar12_1893_julia:document {author:@julia_martin, recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_03_12, location:@bennington_vt, content:"news about Mrs. Irving, family visits, and social life"}

@letter_mar15_1893_bessie:document {author:@bessie_strong, recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_03_15, location:@new_brunswick, content:"sending photographs and health update"}

@letter_mar16_1893_lou:document {author:"Lou Alexander Richards", recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_03_16, location:@new_brunswick, content:"invitation to stay, request for camera"}

@letter_apr10_1893_sawyer:document {author:"Sawyer Blanchard", recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_04_10, location:@new_brunswick, content:"apology for missing church, gas accident"}

@letter_apr14_1893_lou2:document {author:"Lou Alexander Richards", recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_04_14, location:@cambridge_ma, content:"travel plans, request for photographs"}

@letter_apr22_1893_thomas_quincy_browne:document {author:"Thomas Quincy Browne Jr.", recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_04_22, location:@cocoanut_grove, content:"praise for photographs, request for more"}

@letter_apr23_1893_ralph2:document {author:@ralph_monroe, recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_04_23, location:@cocoanut_grove, content:"yacht club news and social updates"}

@letter_may4_1893_aca:document {author:"ACA", recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_05_04, location:@new_brunswick, content:"family news, storm, and request for Angora cat photo"}

@letter_may8_1893_julia:document {author:@julia_martin, recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_05_08, location:@bennington_vt, content:"illness, travel, and social observations"}

@letter_jun6_1893_lynch:document {author:"Elizabeth M. Lynch", recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_06_06, location:@flushing, content:"thanks for photographs, summer plans"}

@letter_jun20_1893_aunt_minn:document {author:"Aunt Minn", recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_06_20, location:@staten_island, content:"grandfather’s carriage trip"}

@letter_jun22_1893_trude:document {author:@trude_eccleston, recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_06_22, location:@new_brunswick, content:"health, social plans, and invitation"}

@letter_jun22_1893_henry_gilman:document {author:@henry_gilman, recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_06_22, location:@flushing, content:"photography order and health"}

@letter_jul3_1893_clara_rich:document {author:"Clara Rich", recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_07_03, location:@new_brunswick, content:"tournament cancellation"}

@letter_jul3_1893_hkg:document {author:"H. K. G.", recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_07_03, location:@new_brunswick, content:"visit plans and fair discussion"}

@letter_jul3_1893_julia2:document {author:@julia_martin, recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_07_03, location:@bennington_vt, content:"travel, health, and social news"}

@letter_jul5_1893_julie_bredt:document {author:@julie_bredt, recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_07_05, location:@new_jersey, content:"summer plans and social invitations"}

@letter_jul11_1893_hkg2:document {author:"H. K. G.", recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_07_11, location:@new_brunswick, content:"fair attendance and travel"}

@letter_aug1_1893_julia:document {author:@julia_martin, recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_08_01, location:@schenectady_ny, content:"school plans, family news, and travel"}

@letter_aug14_1893_lou3:document {author:"Lou Alexander Richards", recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_08_14, location:@cambridge_ma, content:"train schedule and photography request"}

@letter_aug17_1893_mother:document {author:"Mama", recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_08_17, location:@staten_island, content:"health, weather, and family updates"}

@letter_aug22_1893_julia3:document {author:@julia_martin, recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_08_22, location:@schenectady_ny, content:"family health, school job, and travel"}

@letter_aug25_1893_wedding_ann:document {author:"Susan De Lancey Van Rensselaer", recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_08_25, location:@staten_island, content:"wedding invitation"}

@letter_aug27_1893_julia4:document {author:@julia_martin, recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_08_27, location:@schenectady_ny, content:"church visit, school plans, and travel"}

@letter_sep2_1893_aca1:document {author:"ACA", recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_09_02, location:@lake_george, content:"storm, travel, and social news"}

@letter_sep2_1893_aca2:document {author:"ACA", recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_09_02, location:@lake_george, content:"family news and mortgage failure"}

@letter_sep14_1893_ludlow:document {author:@charles_ludlow, recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_09_14, location:@pikesville_md, content:"fair discussion and visit plans"}

@letter_sep15_1893_strong1:document {author:@bessie_strong, recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_09_15, location:@new_brunswick, content:"unable to visit Rosebank"}

@letter_sep15_1893_strong2:document {author:@bessie_strong, recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_09_15, location:@new_brunswick, content:"family visits and travel"}

@letter_sep18_1893_hkg3:document {author:"H. K. G.", recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_09_18, location:@new_brunswick, content:"travel plans and health"}

@letter_sep22_1893_bredt1:document {author:@julie_bredt, recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_09_22, location:@new_jersey, content:"illness and social plans"}

@letter_sep27_1893_julia5:document {author:@julia_martin, recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_09_27, location:@bennington_vt, content:"backgammon, travel to Albany, and teaching plans"}

@letter_sep27_1893_ludlow2:document {author:@charles_ludlow, recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_09_27, location:@pikesville_md, content:"visit plans and fair discussion"}

@letter_oct2_1893_strong3:document {author:@bessie_strong, recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_10_02, location:@new_brunswick, content:"visit plans and dressmaking"}

@letter_oct7_1893_watrous:document {author:"Bessy Watrous", recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_10_07, location:@hague_ny, content:"thanks for photographs and studio supplies"}

@letter_oct13_1893_daisy_elliott:document {author:"Daisy M. Elliott", recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_10_13, location:@brooklyn_ny, content:"travel plans and social invitation"}

@letter_oct22_1893_julia6:document {author:@julia_martin, recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_10_22, location:@schenectady_ny, content:"school job, family health, and travel"}

@letter_oct25_1893_wedding_ann2:document {author:"Annie Meares", recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_10_25, location:@staten_island, content:"wedding invitation"}

@letter_nov1_1893_julia7:document {author:@julia_martin, recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_11_01, location:@albany_ny, content:"Mrs. Cooper’s California trip and school plans"}

@letter_nov6_1893_acq:document {author:"ACQ", recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_11_06, location:@new_brunswick, content:"ink sales and social news"}

@letter_nov11_1893_julia8:document {author:@julia_martin, recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_11_11, location:@riverdale_ny, content:"visit invitation and school news"}

@letter_nov12_1893_strong4:document {author:@bessie_strong, recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_11_12, location:@new_brunswick, content:"concert, clubs, and political commentary"}

@letter_nov14_1893_violet_ward:document {author:@violet_ward, recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_11_14, location:@lexington, content:"fair recap and social invitation"}

@letter_nov15_1893_julia9:document {author:@julia_martin, recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_11_15, location:@riverdale_ny, content:"travel plans and family news"}

@letter_nov16_1893_henry_gilman2:document {author:@henry_gilman, recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_11_16, location:@flushing, content:"fair attendance and photography order"}

@letter_dec2_1893_julia10:document {author:@julia_martin, recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_12_02, location:@albany_ny, content:"school interview, family visits, and travel"}

@letter_dec12_1893_julia11:document {author:@julia_martin, recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_12_12, location:@albany_ny, content:"ink sales, winter activities, and social news"}

@letter_dec16_1893_marsh_bull:document {author:"Marsh & Bull", recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_12_16, location:@new_york, content:"law partnership announcement"}

@letter_dec27_1893_strong5:document {author:@bessie_strong, recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_12_27, location:@new_brunswick, content:"gift calendar, studio plans, and organ fund"}

@letter_dec30_1893_julia12:document {author:@julia_martin, recipient:@alice_austen, when:@date_1893_12_30, location:@albany_ny, content:"Christmas gifts, school news, and winter activities}

@alice_austen -> created -> @austen_family_papers

@alice_austen -> owned -> @alice_photography_business

@alice_austen -> sold -> @fair_photographs {when:@date_1893, where:@chicago}

@alice_austen -> corresponded with -> @julia_martin

@alice_austen -> corresponded with -> @julie_bredt

@alice_austen -> corresponded with -> @violet_ward

@alice_austen -> corresponded with -> @isabella_king

@alice_austen -> corresponded with -> @bessie_strong

@alice_austen -> corresponded with -> @helen_randall

@alice_austen -> corresponded with -> @adele_quartley_brown

@alice_austen -> corresponded with -> @ralph_monroe

@alice_austen -> corresponded with -> @charles_ludlow

@alice_austen -> corresponded with -> @henry_gilman

@alice_austen -> corresponded with -> @trude_eccleston

@julia_martin -> wrote -> @letter_jan16_1893_julia

@julie_bredt -> wrote -> @letter_jul5_1893_julie_bredt

@violet_ward -> wrote -> @letter_nov14_1893_violet_ward

@bessie_strong -> wrote -> @letter_jan27_1893_bessie

@helen_randall -> wrote -> @letter_jan2_1893_randall

@adele_quartley_brown -> wrote -> @letter_feb6_1893_adele

@ralph_monroe -> wrote -> @letter_mar5_1893_ralph

@charles_ludlow -> wrote -> @letter_sep14_1893_ludlow

@henry_gilman -> wrote -> @letter_jun22_1893_henry_gilman

@trude_eccleston -> wrote -> @letter_jun22_1893_trude

@alice_austen -> attended -> @worlds_columbian_exposition

@alice_austen -> participated in -> @skating_party {when:@date_1894, where:@staten_island}

@alice_austen -> participated in -> @whist_party {when:@date_1894, where:@staten_island}

@alice_austen -> participated in -> @church_event {when:@date_1894, where:@staten_island}

@alice_austen -> purchased -> @steainway_piano {when:@date_1894, from:@isabella_king}

@alice_austen -> received -> @fair_photographs {when:@date_1893, from:@worlds_columbian_exposition}

Metadata

Version History (4 versions)

  • ✓ v4 (current) · 12/9/2025, 9:55:40 PM
    "Added description"
  • v3 · 12/9/2025, 9:20:37 PM · View this version
    "Added knowledge graph extraction"
  • v2 · 12/9/2025, 8:05:01 PM · View this version
    "Added PINAX metadata"
  • v1 · 12/9/2025, 7:30:15 PM · View this version
    "Alphabetical chunk 7/7 (30 files)"

Additional Components (30)

Click to expand and load individual components

1893-transcriptions.docx.ref.json
1893-transcriptions.txt
1893_9-14-Sept 4003-Ludlow copy.jpg.ref.json
1893_9-15-Sept 5001-strong copy.jpg.ref.json
1893_9-15-Sept 5002-strong copy.jpg.ref.json
1893_9-15-Sept 5003-strong copy.jpg.ref.json
1893_9-15-Sept 5004-strong copy.jpg.ref.json
1893_9-15-Sept 5005-strong copy.jpg.ref.json
1893_9-18-1001-HKG copy.jpg.ref.json
1893_9-18-1004-HKG copy.jpg.ref.json
1893_9-18-1005-HKG copy.jpg.ref.json
1893_9-2-Sept 1001-ACA copy.jpg.ref.json
1893_9-2-Sept 1002-ACA copy.jpg.ref.json
1893_9-22-Sept 6001-bredt copy.jpg.ref.json
1893_9-22-Sept 6002-bredt copy.jpg.ref.json
1893_9-22-Sept 6003-bredt copy.jpg.ref.json
1893_9-22-Sept 6004-bredt copy.jpg.ref.json
1893_9-22-Sept 6005-bredt copy.jpg.ref.json
1893_9-27-Sept 7001-martin copy.jpg.ref.json
1893_9-27-Sept 7002-JTM copy.jpg.ref.json
1893_9-27-Sept 7003-JTM copy.jpg.ref.json
1893_9-27-Sept 7004-JTM copy.jpg.ref.json
1893_9-27-Sept 7005-JTM copy.jpg.ref.json
1893_9-27-Sept 8001 copy.jpg.ref.json
1893_9-27-Sept 8002-ludlow copy.jpg.ref.json
1893_9-27-Sept 8003-ludlow copy.jpg.ref.json
1893_9-29-Bessy Watrous2 photocopy copy.pdf.ref.json
1893_9-8-Bessy Watrous1 photocopy copy.pdf.ref.json
1893_maybe-Julia Bredt undated 1001 copy.jpg.ref.json
1893_maybe-Julia Bredt undated 1002 copy.jpg.ref.json

Parent

01KC26223WA5M1KG4GAZMXEZBW

No children (leaf entity)