What it does
Smithsonian Libraries’ Image Gallery presents photographs and illustrations from its holdings. Topic browsing, image search and links to digitised books help place an image within its original publication.
If a gallery image is too small, the Libraries’ FAQ suggests checking whether its source volume has been digitised. The complete book may provide the plate, caption and surrounding pages, as well as another downloadable reproduction. High-resolution TIFFs or new photography can instead require a reproduction request and a supply fee.
The rights guide distinguishes CC0 and no-copyright material from no-known-copyright, in-copyright and unevaluated records. A supply fee covers preparation or delivery of the image; it does not resolve every underlying right.
Strengths
- Digitised source books can provide captions and related pages.
- The guidance distinguishes supplying a file from its copyright status.
Best for
- Editors seeking historical illustrations with their publication context
Sources
- Smithsonian Libraries Image Gallery (Oct 25, 2026)
- Image Gallery FAQ (Oct 25, 2026)
- Copyright and reuse (Oct 25, 2026)