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 $25 per image for 300dpi, 24-bit color, uncompressed TIFFs.  In addition, a $10 per file pull fee and $5 per file digital preservation and storage fee applies to most orders.  Finally, depending on how you wish to use the image, usage rights costs may apply. 

Reproduction formats:  Our standard format for single-item reproductions is 300dpi 8x10 (minimum), 24-bit color, uncompressed TIFFs.  Structured pricing is also available for higher-resolution digital files up to 2400dpi.  Files are utltimately delivered either via YouSendIt.com FTP download or disc.

Large-scale Digitization: Repeated photocopying is harsh for materials.  In order to best preserve our collections, HSP has adopted a large-scale digitization service that is mandatory under certain circumstances for copy requests,and also available by specific request with an exact citation.  Requests which qualify for large-scale digitization are:

1.      Copy requests for over 40 pages, or for substantial portions of a work or collection.

2.      Materials that are in poor physical shape, loose leaf, or unpublished.

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.

If you would like materials large-scale digitized, please contact the Rights and Reproductions department at rnr@hsp.org.   If you are not certain if you qualify for or need large-scale digitization, please contact Research by Mail services at researchbymail@hsp.org or 215-732-6200 ext: 222.

Photocopies and digital images are for research purposes only.

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