Helen Constance Randall Correspondence to Alice Austen
PI
Version: 4 (current) | Updated: 12/9/2025, 9:45:28 PM | Created: 12/9/2025, 7:33:19 PM
Added description
Description
Helen Constance Randall Correspondence to Alice Austen (January 1893)
Overview
This collection comprises two handwritten letters written by Helen Constance Randall to her friend, photographer Elizabeth Alice Austen, in early January 1893. The letters are preserved as high‑resolution JPEG scans of the originals and accompanied by typed transcriptions. The correspondence is housed in the Alice Austen House Museum’s archival holdings and is available through the museum’s digital portal.Background
Helen Constance Randall (born 1866) was a contemporary and confidante of Alice Austen, a pioneering American photographer based in Staten Island. The letters were sent from New Brunswick, New Jersey, and Richmond County, New York, reflecting the close social network of upper‑middle‑class families in the New York metropolitan area during the late Victorian era. The collection is part of the larger Austen Family Papers (MS1) and illustrates the personal, informal exchanges that accompanied Austen’s professional activities.Contents
- Letter dated 2 January 1893 – Written in New Brunswick, the letter references a recent visit to the Boat Club Fair, discusses flirtation and social interactions, and mentions a photograph that Randall had sent to Austen.
- Letter dated 5 January 1893 – Sent from Richmond County, this brief note addresses Austen by her formal name, includes a greeting, and notes the receipt of a music‑related item.
Scope
The collection covers two personal letters dated 2 and 5 January 1893, written in English. It focuses on themes of friendship, social life, flirtation, New Year celebrations, and music within the context of late‑19th‑century New York society. The collection does not include any of Austen’s photographic work or other correspondence beyond these two letters.Raw Cheimarros Data
@helen_constance_randall:person {full_name: "Helen Constance Randall", role: "Correspondent"}
@alice_austen:person {full_name: "Elizabeth Alice Austen", role: "Photographer"}
@new_brunswick:place {state: @new_jersey, country: @united_states}
@richmond_county:place {region: @new_york, type: "county"}
@letter_1893_jan_2:document {date: @date_1893_01_02, from: @helen_constance_randall, to: @alice_austen, origin: @new_brunswick, summary: "Flirtation, social commentary, and mention of a Boat Club Fair picture"}
@helen_constance_randall -> wrote -> @letter_1893_jan_2 {when: @date_1893_01_02, from: @new_brunswick, to: @alice_austen}
@letter_1893_jan_5:document {date: @date_1893_01_05, from: @helen_constance_randall, to: @alice_austen, origin: @richmond_county, summary: "Brief address to Miss Alice Austen at Roselands P.O., Richmond County"}
@helen_constance_randall -> wrote -> @letter_1893_jan_5 {when: @date_1893_01_05, from: @richmond_county, to: @alice_austen}
@file_pinax:file {title: "Helen Constance Randall Correspondence to Alice Austen", creator: @helen_constance_randall, institution: "Alice Austen House", created: @date_1893, language: "en", subjects: ["Correspondence","Personal letters","Victorian social life","Friendship","New Year celebrations","Flirtation","Music"], description: "A collection of letters from Helen Constance Randall to Alice Austen in January 1893, discussing social life, friendship, and personal matters.", place: ["New Brunswick, New Jersey","New York, Richmond County"]}Metadata
Files (3)
OCR Text
January Second New Brunswick, New Jersey. Ma Chérie: "I Thou outlime sweet evening star," came to me while I was away from home, in New York, and that accounts for your not hearing from me before. While I was in New York, I sent you something. Have you received it? It was very sweet in you to remember me, and I thank you much for it. Do you remember that you gave me leave to "jump" anyone whom I invited about young lady whom I met at Boat Club Fair? Well, I have used that permission, and the result is—eminently satisfactory. I have not yet seen Cousin Challey, wait till I do! (Your little just come) I am glad that my picture reached you safely. I was not sure about your address, and I was rather afraid that it was incorrect. Envy you hearing swell playing? So you went to a ball, as you opening of the new year? Ah! ah! inspite of all you say to the contrary, I know right well that you flirted and used your lovely brown eyes on all your young men. Your Eyes say a great deal.
OCR Text
Do not need to fall down, leaning back in an easy way while you talked, and flirted, and played with your fan. You will find success in this a picture which doesn't arise. I received your letter; you are not a debutante, but still! You know in your hand, as well as in mine, your line of fate ends at the heart line. You ask me in my wisdom whether your "affaire de cœur" had come off or was coming. I could not tell you then, I have changed my mind now, and think it is past. From things that are passed, as I look back I am of that opinion. I hope I have not written enough to bore you, but fearing lest I may, unless I stop, I will close with thanking you once more for the music of which I am so fond. With best wishes for 1893, I am Most cordially yours, P.S. I find many blunders in this but Helen Constance Randal.
OCR Text
Miss Alice Austen, Roselands P. O. Richmond County New York.
Version History (4 versions)
- ✓ v4 (current) · 12/9/2025, 9:45:28 PM
"Added description" - v3 · 12/9/2025, 8:45:51 PM · View this version
"Added knowledge graph extraction" - v2 · 12/9/2025, 7:51:21 PM · View this version
"Added PINAX metadata" - v1 · 12/9/2025, 7:33:19 PM · View this version
"Reorganization group: Helen_Constance_Randall_Correspondence"
Parent
No children (leaf entity)