1894_9-14-Sept 2001-edith copy.jpg

Alice Austen Correspondence with Edith, 1894-09-14

PI

Version: 4 (current) | Updated: 12/9/2025, 9:50:13 PM | Created: 12/9/2025, 7:36:06 PM

Added description

Description

Alice Austen Correspondence with Edith, 1894‑09‑14 Collection

Overview

This digital collection preserves five scanned copies of a single personal letter written by Edith (correspondent) to Elizabeth Alice Austen on 14 September 1894. The images were digitized between 2001 and 2005 and include OCR‑extracted text. The letter is in English, written in a Victorian‑era style, and covers social life, travel plans, and family matters. It is part of the Alice Austen House Museum’s Austen Family Papers (MS1) and is available online through the museum’s digital archive.

Background

Alice Austen (1866‑1952) was a pioneering American photographer from Staten Island, NY. Her correspondence network included close friends such as Julia T. Martin (Albany), Julie Bredt, Violet M.E. Ward, Isabella King (photograph buyer), and Bessie Strong. The 1894 letter reflects this network and references significant events of the era, notably the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition (“the Fair”) and a Steinway piano. The letter also mentions the death of Austen’s grandfather in April 1894 and Edith’s residence in Presidio, CA, with a brief reference to Quincy, MA. The collection is a primary source for scholars studying late‑Victorian social customs, travel, and the personal life of a prominent photographer.

Contents

  • Five JPEG scans of the letter (dated 2001‑2005) with OCR text.
  • Metadata file (pinax.json) detailing the letter’s date, sender, recipient, subjects, and places.
  • OCR excerpts highlight discussions of travel, social events, the Fair, a Steinway piano, and family bereavement.
  • The collection is organized as a single‑letter archive, with each scan representing a different digitization effort.

Scope

The collection focuses exclusively on the 14 September 1894 letter from Edith to Alice Austen. It provides insight into the broader social milieu of late‑19th‑century Staten Island and the personal relationships that shaped Austen’s life and work. While limited to one correspondence, the material is part of the larger Austen Family Papers (MS1) and is relevant to researchers of photography history, Victorian correspondence, and social history.

Raw Cheimarros Data

@alice_austen:person {full_name: "Elizabeth Alice Austen", birth_year: @date_1866, death_year: @date_1952, occupation: "photographer", location: @staten_island_ny}

@edith:person {role: "correspondent"}

@julia_t_martin:person {relationship: "close friend", location: @albany_ny}

@julie_bredt:person {}

@violet_m_e_ward:person {}

@isabella_king:person {role: "photograph buyer"}

@bessie_strong:person {}

@staten_island_ny:place {state: @new_york, country: @united_states}

@presidio_ca:place {state: @california, country: @united_states}

@quincy_ma:place {state: @massachusetts, country: @united_states}

@albany_ny:place {state: @new_york, country: @united_states}

@worlds_columbian_exposition_1893:event {name: "World's Columbian Exposition", year: @date_1893}

@fair:event {alias: "the Fair", related_to: @worlds_columbian_exposition_1893}

@photography_business:concept {description: "Alice Austen's commercial photography activities"}

@photograph:object {type: "photograph"}

@steinway_piano:object {type: "musical instrument"}

@grandfather:person {role: "grandfather", death: @date_1894_04}

@edith_correspondence_collection:document {title: "Alice Austen Correspondence with Edith", date: @date_1894_09_14, creator: @edith, subjects: ["Correspondence","Personal letters","Social life","Family matters","Travel","Victorian era"], places: [@staten_island_ny, @presidio_ca, @quincy_ma]}

@letter_1894_09_14_edith_to_alice:document {date: @date_1894_09_14, sender: @edith, recipient: @alice_austen, type: "personal letter"}

@file_pinax:file {type: "metadata"} -> documents -> @edith_correspondence_collection

@file_1894_9_14_sept_2001_edith_copy_jpg:file {type: "image"} -> part of -> @edith_correspondence_collection

@file_1894_9_14_sept_2002_edith_copy_jpg:file {type: "image"} -> part of -> @edith_correspondence_collection

@file_1894_9_14_sept_2003_edith_copy_jpg:file {type: "image"} -> part of -> @edith_correspondence_collection

@file_1894_9_14_sept_2004_edith_copy_jpg:file {type: "image"} -> part of -> @edith_correspondence_collection

@file_1894_9_14_sept_2005_edith_copy_jpg:file {type: "image"} -> part of -> @edith_correspondence_collection

@edith -> wrote -> @letter_1894_09_14_edith_to_alice

@alice_austen -> received -> @letter_1894_09_14_edith_to_alice

@alice_austen -> corresponded with -> @edith

@alice_austen -> corresponded with -> @julia_t_martin

@alice_austen -> corresponded with -> @julie_bredt

@alice_austen -> corresponded with -> @violet_m_e_ward

@alice_austen -> corresponded with -> @isabella_king

@alice_austen -> corresponded with -> @bessie_strong

@alice_austen -> purchased -> @steinway_piano {context: "correspondence about purchasing"}

@alice_austen -> sold -> @photograph {source: @fair}

@alice_austen -> mourned -> @grandfather

@alice_austen -> involved in -> @photography_business

@alice_austen -> lived in -> @staten_island_ny

@edith -> lived in -> @presidio_ca

@letter_1894_09_14_edith_to_alice -> mentions -> @fair

@letter_1894_09_14_edith_to_alice -> mentions -> @steinway_piano

Metadata

Files (5)

1894_9-14-Sept 2001-edith copy.jpgJPEG
401.96 KB
OCR Text

Miss Alice Austen Rosebank P.O. Staten Island N.Y.

1894_9-14-Sept 2002-edith copy.jpgJPEG
1.83 MB
OCR Text

objecting—I shall be content for we are just reveling in it—have music, room &c. But my dear Alice when Trude returns & you are each other's enough—there come out to me, we will always have room for one, & never would make any company if you. I shall be going home in about a year, & you could come out, & stop on your way to see Effie Emmuns make me a visit & I will go back with you. That sounds fine—But really I am sorry we Presidio Cal. Sunday Evening Sept 14 My dear Alice, I have at last got to your name on my list of people to write to & had so many letters to answer all along that I have got to hate writing but after I get them all answered & started I shall feel better. I will not go into the usual description of the

1894_9-14-Sept 2003-edith copy.jpgJPEG
1.42 MB
OCR Text

Paula as it happens has written your note about it. Have let us move to the important question - I feel sure very much better at your writing & at your coming & eat with us in the smoker - but it sure seems it is out that we must have it & what we must do with it is our secret & the answer isn't short & burn. We have it in any toyce - but not there summer every day of eight & say coming hour - & I swear he never takes the time, if you just look to it & answer it & go it in any toyce - but not there so far - it then just only half or

1894_9-14-Sept 2004-edith copy.jpgJPEG
1.01 MB
OCR Text

Greed sent us a visit from Est Albert thinks it is to visit us & stay to a week first in Quincy, our river July settled here—In these are always affairs young & coming. We are now having our Summer, & soon the boys will be in their Glory. But have a great snowy sum but Oct & Nov are the snow months here—We like it here very much & after we know a few more city people we shall feel at home. The Cabn

1894_9-14-Sept 2005-edith copy.jpgJPEG
2.05 MB
OCR Text

can be a delight to me & love to ride on them & go in quiet place to see it shopping - is our chief hearts. & in the store, you see such a large air space around expect Hubie. The chairs - Mine are so funny - Mr Joe Lee is as smart he is so quick at his work & sits straight about 5-1 each every day & his clean. He has the washing as well; he has taken a great fancy to Hubie & says he is going home with her soon! Well dear I must close as I have lot more on my list to write to. told you I would tell you about it - glutathors she had a bad one at Fort Douglas but so far since here I will tell you about it. if she has any - we all send love & don't despair of a visit some day - Ever your sincere friend Y sends love to says she will answer yours Edith.

Version History (4 versions)

  • ✓ v4 (current) · 12/9/2025, 9:50:13 PM
    "Added description"
  • v3 · 12/9/2025, 8:59:23 PM · View this version
    "Added knowledge graph extraction"
  • v2 · 12/9/2025, 7:54:21 PM · View this version
    "Added PINAX metadata"
  • v1 · 12/9/2025, 7:36:06 PM · View this version
    "Reorganization group: Edith_correspondence"

Parent

01KC29FJVGAXWA2XYG5MVA2YCR

No children (leaf entity)