1894_3-3-Mar 1001-isabella-king copy.jpg

Alice Austen Photography Business Correspondence with Isabella King

PI

Version: 4 (current) | Updated: 12/9/2025, 9:49:24 PM | Created: 12/9/2025, 7:36:16 PM

Added description

Description

Alice Austen–Isabella King Photography Business Correspondence Collection (1894)

Overview

This collection documents a brief but illustrative exchange between Staten Island photographer Elizabeth Alice Austen and her client Isabella King on March 3, 1894. It comprises scanned reproductions of three handwritten letters (labeled 1001–1003), accompanying photographs of the purchased images, and a typed transcription of the correspondence. The materials are presented in JPEG format and include OCR‑derived text for each image.

Background

Elizabeth Alice Austen (1866‑1952) was a pioneering American photographer whose practice in the late nineteenth century combined artistic portraiture with commercial sales. Isabella King, a resident of University Place, Staten Island, purchased a set of Austen’s photographs. The exchange reflects the business practices of the era, where clients paid by cheque and received printed images in return. The correspondence is housed at the Alice Austen House Museum and was digitised by the PINAX project.

Contents

  • Letter 1001 – A brief note from Austen to King, confirming the delivery of photographs to Mrs. King and providing her address at Rosebank P.O.
  • Letter 1002 – King’s reply, expressing gratitude for the images, noting their safe arrival, and enclosing a cheque covering four bills.
  • Letter 1003 – King’s follow‑up, detailing the payment process, praising Austen’s printing work, and extending well‑wishes.
  • Photographs – Scanned images of the photographs sold, illustrating the subjects and style of Austen’s work at the time.
  • Transcriptions – Typed versions of the handwritten letters, facilitating textual analysis.

Scope

The collection is confined to a single day’s correspondence (March 3, 1894) and focuses on the transaction of photographs between Austen and King. It covers the commercial aspects of Austen’s practice—payment, delivery, and client appreciation—within the context of Victorian‑era social life on Staten Island. The materials do not include other years, other clients, or unrelated personal correspondence.

Raw Cheimarros Data

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

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

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

@university_place:place {address: "University Place, Staten Island, NY", city: @staten_island}

@file_pinax:file {title: "Alice Austen Photography Business Correspondence with Isabella King", creator: @isabella_king, created: @date_1894_03_03, language: "en", subjects: ["Photography business", "Correspondence", "Victorian-era social life", "Photographs", "Payments"], description: "Collection of correspondence between Alice Austen and Isabella King regarding the sale of photographs, including payment details and appreciation for the photographs.", place: ["Staten Island, NY", "University Place"]}

@alice_isabella_correspondence:document {description: "Correspondence between Alice Austen and Isabella King about photograph sales", start_date: @date_1894_03_03, participants: [@alice_austen, @isabella_king]}

@file_pinax -> documents -> @alice_isabella_correspondence

@file_1894_3_3_mar_1001_isabella_king_copy_jpg:file {type: "Image/Asset with OCR", ocr_text: "Miss E. A. Austen\nRosebank P.O.\nStaten Island\nN.Y."}

@file_1894_3_3_mar_1002_isabella_king_copy_jpg:file {type: "Image/Asset with OCR", ocr_text: "7 UNIVERSITY PLACE.\n\nDear Miss Austen,\n\nThank you so much for the photos they are lovely & mine to Mrs. King's arrived safely this eve.\n\nI enclose you my cheque for the account of the 4 bills, if you will"}

@file_1894_3_3_mar_1003_isabella_king_copy_jpg:file {type: "Image/Asset with OCR", ocr_text: "receipt these I will get the several amounts from the others. This secured a quicker & safer way of securing you the money there for each one to secure a separate payment.\n\nThese last spring like days with their bright sunshine must have been splendid for your printing.\n\nWishing you all success & writing & news of the world.\n\nVery cordially yours,\nIsabella King\nFriday Eve."}

@letter_1002:document {date: @date_1894_03_03, sender: @isabella_king, recipient: @alice_austen, location: @university_place, content: @file_1894_3_3_mar_1002_isabella_king_copy_jpg}

@letter_1003:document {date: @date_1894_03_03, sender: @isabella_king, recipient: @alice_austen, location: @university_place, content: @file_1894_3_3_mar_1003_isabella_king_copy_jpg}

@isabella_king -> wrote -> @letter_1002

@isabella_king -> wrote -> @letter_1003

@letter_1002 -> addressed to -> @alice_austen

@letter_1003 -> addressed to -> @alice_austen

@isabella_king -> sent payment -> @alice_austen {amount: "4 bills", method: "cheque", date: @date_1894_03_03}

@alice_austen -> provided -> @photographs:concept {type: "photographs", recipient: @isabella_king, context: "sale"}

@photo_sale:event {date: @date_1894_03_03, participants: [@alice_austen, @isabella_king], location: @university_place, description: "Sale of photographs from Alice Austen to Isabella King"}

Metadata

Files (3)

1894_3-3-Mar 1001-isabella-king copy.jpgJPEG
497.15 KB
OCR Text

Miss E. A. Austen Rosebank P.O. Staten Island N.Y.

1894_3-3-Mar 1002-isabella-king copy.jpgJPEG
1.2 MB
OCR Text

7 UNIVERSITY PLACE. Dear Miss Austen, Thank you so much for the photos they are lovely & mine to Mrs. King's arrived safely this eve. I enclose you my cheque for the account of the 4 bills, if you will

1894_3-3-Mar 1003-isabella-king copy.jpgJPEG
1.34 MB
OCR Text

receipt these I will get the several amounts from the others. This secured a quicker & safer way of securing you the money there for each one to secure a separate payment. These last spring like days with their bright sunshine must have been splendid for your printing. Wishing you all success & writing & news of the world. Very cordially yours, Isabella King Friday Eve.

Version History (4 versions)

  • ✓ v4 (current) · 12/9/2025, 9:49:24 PM
    "Added description"
  • v3 · 12/9/2025, 8:56:27 PM · View this version
    "Added knowledge graph extraction"
  • v2 · 12/9/2025, 7:53:31 PM · View this version
    "Added PINAX metadata"
  • v1 · 12/9/2025, 7:36:16 PM · View this version
    "Reorganization group: Photography_Business_Isabella_King"

Parent

01KC29FE5ZKKYK14D7TSAK7R28

No children (leaf entity)