Rights and Reproductions

In-house, digital imaging reproduction services and permission to reproduce, publish, exhibit, or distribute images of HSP’s collection materials are available, for a fee, through our Rights and Reproductions department. Most reproductions are high-quality digital scans. For photocopies, low-resolution PDFs, or research assistance, click here or contact our Research by Mail team at researchbymail@hsp.org or 215-732-6200 ext. 222.  

To place a reproduction request, please contact us via:

E-mail (preferred): rnr@hsp.org

Phone: 215-732-6200 ext. 333

Fax: 215-732-2680  

You may also submit a request through standard mail or hand delivery.  Please specify as much information as possible about an item, including the item name, date or circa, collection name, call number, and any additional information you may have. Items that are not easily identifiable and must be researched will be referred to our Research by Mail department.  

Reproduction costs:  Costs for digital reproductions generally start at $45 per image. In addition, depending on how you wish to use the image, usage rights costs and service fees may apply. 

Digitization commences with payment by either check or credit card. Please wait for an invoice before sending any payment. Revenue generated from the purchase and use of digital reproductions from HSP assists in the perseveration, management, and maintenance of its collections. 

For many collection materials, research-use copies are available at a lower cost through our Research by Mail department.  For information on policies and fees, click here or contact our Research by Mail team at researchbymail@hsp.org or 215-732-6200 ext. 222.  

Reproduction formats: All single-item reproductions are high-quality digital scans and are ultimately delivered as 300dpi (minimum), 24-bit color, uncompressed TIFFs through YouSendIt.com FTP download.

Special pricing is available for large-scale digital reproductions of 50 or more continuous pages or entire folders, boxes, or volumes of collection materials.  For large-scale digitization orders, the reproductions rate is $2.45/image.  In addition, a storage fee is charged for each folder, box, or volume that is digitized.  The storage fee is $25 for the first folder, box, or volume and $10 for each subsequent one. 
All large-scale reproductions are 150dpi, 24-bit color PDFs and are delivered either via YouSendIt.com FTP download or disc.

Turn-around time: The demand for images varies greatly from day to day. Although processing times are often shorter, we ask that you allow a minimum of three weeks lead time on all orders, more for larger jobs.  Rush service is available for an additional fee. HSP reserves the right to refuse any reproduction request.

Usage Rights: Possession of a digital reproduction of HSP’s collection materials does not constitute permission to publish or exhibit.  Usage rights fees may apply and vary depending on whether a reproduction is for an individual, non-profit, or commercial institution and how it will be used (personal research, publication, exhibition, etc.).  Please provide as much information as possible about your project (title, publisher/producer/institution, print-run/units produced/term, etc.) so that we can quote an appropriate price.

Title 17 (the copyright law) of the United States Code governs the reproduction of copyrighted material. All responsibility for possible copyright infringement, invasion of privacy, and the rights of publicity from the use of reproductions is assumed by the patron. HSP retains all rights to the digital reproduction or digital image of the original collection material.

We look forward to fulfilling your rights and reproductions needs.

Rights and Reproductions Department
Historical Society of Pennsylvania
1300 Locust Street Philadelphia, PA 19107
rnr@hsp.org
Phone: 215-732-6200 ext. 333
Fax: 215-732-2680