Digital Files for Editorial, Commercial, and Other Uses

High-quality 300dpi TIFF files are available for use in books, journals, magazines/newspapers, documentaries, exhibitions, Internet, and all other uses.

For additional information about using NYPL's images, please also read our Website Terms and Conditions.

Revised as of October 26, 2012.

Instructions:

• Please consult the fee schedules below.
• Complete and submit the PERMISSIONS ORDER FORM (online or pdf).
• Rush service may not be available for certain items from Manuscripts & Archives Divison, Schomburg Center, and the Performing Arts Library.
• Special handling surcharges of $50.00 per image are affixed on top of fees posted below for any oversized item; any item from the Map Division and Spencer Collection; or any item deemed to require special camera set-ups. 
• Prepayment is required. Payment by credit card (VISA/MC and American Express) and check drawn on a U.S. bank are accepted.
• Bank transfers accepted, however, there is a $75 adminstration fee on top of amount due and processing of your order will not begin to Library's Accounting Office notifies that full payment has been received. There are no exceptions. This can delay the turnaround from 2 to 4 weeks.
• No refunds are given for purchase of public domain or third party rights-controlled images. Partial refunds will be given only for NYPL rights-controlled images that are licensed, but not used.

Presently, the Library does NOT supply digital files from microfilm. Glossy 8 x 10 inch prints created by an outside source are available.

Delivery

Digital files are downloadable from NYPL's FTP/HTTP site. Customer will receive an email with username and password for download access.
Normal turnaround is within 2 business days for items previously digitized or 4 weeks for items requiring new digital photography.

Fee Schedules

*If for a book with a print run of 10,000 or more, the fee is $100 per image for existing file and $125 per image if new digital photography is needed.

**Does not include advertising. Please contact us directly.

Scroll down for list of NYPL rights-controlled photographers and collections.

*Excludes photos by Martha Swope. Please email us with project details at permissions@nypl.org for price quote to license Martha Swope photographs. Separate fee payable to Martha Swope directly will also be due in most cases.

**Fees start at these prices for one-time, single-use and increase with additional uses.

***For authors of commercial books with print run of 5,000 or more fee is $100 for existing file and $125 for images requiring new digital photography.

****Includes magazines with circulation greater than 300,000. Does not include advertising. Please contact us directly with project details at permissions@nypl.org for price quote.

Rush Service Surcharges on Top of Fees Above:

(Not all items are available for expedited or rush service)

Existing Digital File
Rush (same day delivery if order placed before 4:00pm EST): +$25 per image

New Digital File
Expedited (delivery in 2 weeks): +$50 per image
Rush (delivery within 5 business days): +$100 per image 

Some items previously digitized at 300 dpi maybe re-scanned at higher dpi. Surcharges on top of fees posted in schedule above are $100 per image with 4 week turnaround or $150 per image with turnaround in 2 weeks.
 

For all other non-editorial uses (i.e. posters, advertising, packaging, merchandising, set dressing, etc.):
In North America contact: Art Resource, Inc.; phone: 212-505-8700; email: requests@artres.com; web site: www.artres.com
Outside of North America contact: Bridgeman Art Library; phone: +44 (0) 20 7727 4065; web site: www.bridgemanart.com  

NYPL Rights-Controlled Photographers/Creators and Collections (subject to change)

Photographers/Creators:

Abeles, Joseph
Barvin, William
Blumberg, Kay
Bruguiere, Francis
Chesley, Robert (musical scores only)
Davies, Diana
Douglas, Aaron (4 Aspects of Negro Life murals at Schomburg Center)
Duncan, Kenn
Eula, Joe
Friedman-Abeles
Horton, Rick
Jarrett, David (Zachary Solov Ballet Ensemble photos only)
Joseph, George
Kesslere, Maillard
Kirstein, Lincoln
Saddler, Donald
Seltzer, Leo
Shapiro, Norman (Waste Not, Want Not book art only)
Siegel, Michael (In Motion: The African-American Migration Experience maps only)
Silver, Walter
Sperr, Percy Loomis
Swope, Martha
Taulman, James (New York City Architecture, Parks, and Skyline Views Collection only)
Ter-Arutunian, Rouben
Tobin, Kay
Tucker, Richard
Vandamm Studio
Walter, Bruno
White Studio
Willard, Avery
Wilson, Robert A.

Collections:
Andre Fashion Illustrations
Art and Artifacts Division, Schomburg Center (photos of 3-dimensional items from collection)
Artkraft Strauss Archive
New York City Theater Marquees, 1997-
New York Public Library Archives
New York World's Fair Collection
Photographic Views of New York City (excluding Wurts Brothers photos)
Winnie-the-Pooh Stuffed Animals