Alice Austen and Julie Bredt Correspondence
PI
Version: 4 (current) | Updated: 12/9/2025, 9:48:51 PM | Created: 12/9/2025, 7:33:34 PM
Added description
Description
Alice Austen–Julie Bredt Correspondence (July 1893)
Overview
This collection comprises three digitized, JPEG‑scanned copies of handwritten letters exchanged in July 1893 between Elizabeth Alice Austen, a pioneering Staten Island photographer, and her friend Julie Bredt. The letters were originally mailed through the Rosebank Post Office in Clifton, Staten Island, and addressed to recipients in Chicago and on Staten Island. The collection is part of the Austen Family Papers housed at the Alice Austen House Museum.Background
Alice Austen (1866‑1952) was an early American photographer whose work and social network spanned the upper‑middle class of late‑Victorian New York. Julie Bredt, a contemporary and close friend, corresponded with Austen about travel, social events, and personal matters. The letters reflect the broader context of the 1893 Chicago World's Columbian Exposition and the trans‑borough communication patterns of the era.Contents
- Letter 1 (July 6, 1893) – From Alice Austen to J. L. Cressel, University of Chicago, requesting that the letter be forwarded.
- Letter 2 (July 6, 1893) – From Julie Bredt to Alice Austen, expressing affection and urging a prompt reply; mentions Mr. Cooke and G. B.
- Letter 3 (July 6, 1893) – From Julie Bredt to Alice Austen, describing foggy weather, a forthcoming Nor’easter, and plans to visit South Beach and the “Bottlebun” boys.
Each letter is accompanied by a high‑resolution image and an OCR‑derived text snippet. The collection illustrates the use of postal services, the social conventions of letter writing, and the inter‑city mobility of women in the 1890s.
Scope
The collection covers a single month (July 1893) and includes correspondence between two individuals, with references to additional persons (J. L. Cressel, Mr. Cooke, G. B., Mr. Maxwell). Geographically, it links Staten Island, Chicago, and Long Island. The letters touch on themes of travel, social gatherings, and personal relationships, offering insight into Victorian social life among Staten Island’s upper‑middle class. The collection does not include photographs, calling cards, or other ancillary materials from the Austen Family Papers.Raw Cheimarros Data
@alice_austen_julie_bredt_correspondence:collection {title: "Alice Austen and Julie Bredt Correspondence", created: @date_1893_07, institution: "Alice Austen House", language: "en", subjects: ["Correspondence","Personal letters","Social life","Victorian era","Staten Island","Travel","Family relationships"]}
@alice_austen:person {full_name: "Elizabeth Alice Austen", birth_year: @date_1866, death_year: @date_1952, occupation: "photographer"}
@julie_bredt:person {full_name: "Julie Bredt"}
@j_l_cressel:person {full_name: "J. L. Cressel"}
@mr_cooke:person {full_name: "Mr. Cooke"}
@mr_maxwell:person {full_name: "Mr. Maxwell"}
@g_b:person {initials: "G. B."}
@rosebank_post_office:place {address: "Rosebank Post Office, Clifton, Richmond Co., Staten Island"}
@clifton:place {city: "Clifton", county: "Richmond Co.", state: "New York", country: @united_states}
@richmond_co:place {county: "Richmond", state: "New York", country: @united_states}
@staten_island:place {borough: "Staten Island", city: "New York", country: @united_states}
@university_of_chicago:organization {type: "university"}
@south_beach:place {location: "South Beach, Staten Island"}
@long_island:place {state: "New York", country: @united_states}
@brooklyn:place {borough: "Brooklyn", city: "New York", country: @united_states}
@delaware:place {state: "Delaware", country: @united_states}
@letter_1893_07_06_3001:document {date: @date_1893_07_06, sender: @alice_austen, recipient: @j_l_cressel, via: @rosebank_post_office}
@alice_austen -> wrote -> @letter_1893_07_06_3001
@letter_1893_07_06_3001 -> part of -> @alice_austen_julie_bredt_correspondence
@letter_1893_07_06_3002:document {date: @date_1893_07_06, sender: @julie_bredt, recipient: @alice_austen, content_snippet: "Write at once please with lots of love and hoping to see you soon."}
@julie_bredt -> wrote -> @letter_1893_07_06_3002
@letter_1893_07_06_3002 -> part of -> @alice_austen_julie_bredt_correspondence
@letter_1893_07_06_3003:document {date: @date_1893_07_06, sender: @julie_bredt, recipient: @alice_austen, content_snippet: "We enjoy a foggy time... South Beach..."}
@julie_bredt -> wrote -> @letter_1893_07_06_3003
@letter_1893_07_06_3003 -> part of -> @alice_austen_julie_bredt_correspondence
@alice_austen -> corresponded with -> @julie_bredt {through: @alice_austen_julie_bredt_correspondence}Metadata
Files (3)
OCR Text
To J. L. Cressel of the University of Chicago Miss Alice Austen, Rosebank Post Office, Clifton, Richmond Co., Staten Island. Please Forward
OCR Text
Write at once please with lots of love and hoping to see you soon. Lovingly Julie - To write at once, as Mr. Cooke I know will write today to G. & ask him for a date & unless I let him know, he may think now it is DB. — See!!! — So spy yourself Mr. Maxwell is coming also. 507 Main Street, My dear Lollie: What do you think of Chicag? I just think I did but a visit the D. party if I had I would have been there with you. I am just home, had an out of sight time came home in time for a bid from some lovely Brooklyn people for the fourth. But I was wild you could not come the 2 week in July - still such is life. G.B. has gone to Delaware but we are going to try for the 15th Mrs
OCR Text
We enjoy a foggy time. I guess the Nor'easter will be here from the fair by the time you get here. He is in L.I. now and Ruthie & I are there, & I and truly people I know. Now—tell me if you can't arrange if the 15—me will try 22 but if possible when try 15—as I fear G.B.—won't be able to change so many times. I am not sure how this date will do but do write at once as I would know to tell him prior to now to try what he & as he is away now still I guess he will come home if he can, so tell me as in for it. That suit you. We will come down Sat. morning and where shall we meet you go to South Beach & then come up to your house later can't we go in the water at S.B. as you know the Bottlebun boys will enjoy a bath & so and I want to join them as jolly a time as I can if they come. My dear Aranga is awfully good now—not a girl I know here, all left for summer. Jessie and Bessie go this week and they are about the fact, still m play tennis, take pictures, and go to different beaches and
Version History (4 versions)
- ✓ v4 (current) · 12/9/2025, 9:48:51 PM
"Added description" - v3 · 12/9/2025, 8:52:59 PM · View this version
"Added knowledge graph extraction" - v2 · 12/9/2025, 7:53:08 PM · View this version
"Added PINAX metadata" - v1 · 12/9/2025, 7:33:34 PM · View this version
"Reorganization group: Julie_Bredt_Correspondence"
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