Collections Rights & Reproduction
Ordering Photocopies/PDF Scans for Research
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Filson staff continue to accommodate those who are unable to work with our collections in person. Please email us at gro.l1679880875aciro1679880875tsihn1679880875oslif1679880875@hcra1679880875eser1679880875 to submit a research request or question. The research account is monitored daily on weekdays; staff are working both in house and remotely during this time, so please be patient if response times take longer than the normal 7 business days.
- Please use our online research tool to learn more about our holdings.
- Staff can spend about half an hour looking into your request at no charge.
- Staff can conduct up to two additional hours of research, and can also make PDF scans for remote patrons. We are charging a flat hourly rate for these services: $35/hour for members* and $50/hour for nonmembers. *e-members and Filson For All members get their first hour of research free.
Ordering High Quality Digital Reproductions
In support of research, education, and publication, the Filson Historical Society (FHS) provides digital reproductions of items in the collections upon request. FHS does not provide printed reproductions. All requests for reproductions will be processed in the order in which they are received. Turnaround time depends on the complexity of the order, the need for custom photography, and department workload. Please allow 3 to 4 weeks to fully process the order after paperwork and payment have been received; larger and more complex orders may take longer. Rush orders (orders needed sooner than 3 to 4 weeks after payment) are available upon request for an additional fee.
Only materials that will not be physically damaged by the process of duplication will be copied. The Filson reserves the right to withhold permission for the reproduction of any materials. The Filson requests one gratis copy of any publication that includes a reproduction from the FHS collections.
Fees listed below apply to high resolution (300 dpi/TIFF), publication quality digital files. If these files do not meet your needs, please contact us at gro.l1679880875aciro1679880875tsihn1679880875oslif1679880875@sega1679880875mi1679880875. If you are interested in pdf scans of materials for research purposes, please email gro.l1679880875aciro1679880875tsihn1679880875oslif1679880875@hcra1679880875eser1679880875. All images must be credited to The Filson Historical Society. Rates for uses not listed in the following schedule will be quoted upon request. FHS reserves the right to charge special fees for unlisted uses as determined on a case-by-case basis. All fees listed are subject to change.
Please consult our Rights and Reproduction Fee Schedule below prior to contacting us. Filson members receive a 10% discount on all image reproduction orders.
Fee Schedule
Personal Research, Dissertation, Theses
Use Type and Description | Fee | Notes |
Research Purposes Only | $25 | Publication quality files for research purposes only. See fees below for publication prices. Permission paperwork required. |
Dissertation/Thesis | $25 | Publication quality files for research purposes only. See fees below for publication prices. Permission paperwork required. |
Publication (Book, magazine, journal, brochure, film, television, etc.)
Use Type and Description | Commercial Fee | Non-Profit Fee |
Book, Magazine, Journal, Brochure (includes e-publications) | $75 | $60 |
Television/Documentary | $75 | $60 |
Multi Format Use: Project + Publicity (print & online) | $150 | $120 |
Presentations (Academic, conferences, PowerPoint, Prezi etc.)
Use Type and Description | Commercial Fee | Non-Profit Fee |
Presentation | $50 | $25 |
Display / Exhibition
Use Type and Description | Commercial Fee | Non-Profit | Personal |
Display & Exhibition | $175 | $50 | N/A |
Décor: Home décor | N/A | N/A | $25 |
Décor: Private office décor (non-public area) | $50 | $40 | N/A |
Website: item displayed online | $175 | $145 | $145 |
Multi Format Use: Project + Publicity (print & online) | Quote available upon request | Quote available upon request | N/A |
Oversized and Audiovisual Materials
Use Type and Description | Commercial Fee | Non-Profit Fee | Personal |
Architectural Plans | Quote available upon request | Quote available upon request | Quote available upon request |
Oversized Items | Quote available upon request | Quote available upon request | Quote available upon request |
Audiovisual Materials: Reproductions of FHS lecture recordings | Quote available upon request | Quote available upon request | $25 | VHS to Digital transfer fee
$10 | DVD/Digital |
New Photography Rate for Museum Objects (when no digital file exists) | Quote available upon request | Quote available upon request | Quote available upon request |
Additional Fees and Information
Use Type and Description | Commercial Fee | Non-Profit | Personal |
Standard Orders: 3-4 weeks for processing after paperwork and payment is received | As listed above | As listed above | As listed above |
Rush Orders: Less than 7 business days for processing after paperwork and payment is received | + $75 per file | + $75 per file | + $75 per file |
Delivery: Digital Download via Dropbox Link | As listed above | As listed above | As listed above |
Delivery: Digital files on CD, mailed via US Post | + $10 | disc | + $10 | disc | + $10 | disc |
Delivery: Digital files on CD, pick-up at FHS | + $5 | disc | + $5 | disc | + $5 | disc |
Re-Use Fee: Permission Only, digital file not needed | Quote available upon request | Quote available upon request | Quote available upon request |
Place an Order
To request a high quality digital reproduction of an item in the FHS Collection, please use the Collections Reproduction Request form. A Filson staff member will be in contact with you regarding your order. If you are only interested in low resolution PDF images of a file for research, please email gro.l1679880875aciro1679880875tsihn1679880875oslif1679880875@hcra1679880875eser1679880875. Once you have worked with a Filson staff member to establish your order, please submit all forms and payment to The Filson Historical Society, Collections Department, 1310 S. 3rd St. Louisville, KY 40208-2306 or .gro.1679880875lacir1679880875otsih1679880875nosli1679880875f@seg1679880875ami1679880875
For more information about our Collections Rights and Reproductions please contact Heather J. Potter, Curator of Photographs and Prints.
