Rights and Reproductions
This page contains instructions for anyone wishing to publish materials—either manuscript quotations or photographic reproductions—from the collections as well as instructions for ordering images of MHS materials.
Researchers who are interested only in obtaining photocopies ("Xerox" copies) should review the photocopy policies on the Visiting the Library page.
Permission to Cite Manuscript Materials | Copyright Information
Ordering Images | Permission to Reproduce Images
Requesting Permission to Cite Manuscript Materials
Requests for permission to cite or quote from manuscripts should be addressed to the Reference Librarian at Massachusetts Historical Society, 1154 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02215. Each request must include complete and detailed citations of the materials used, together with a full description of publication plans. Since the MHS cannot verify quotations, citation information alone is sufficient for manuscript permission requests. The citation for each document requested should include the author's name, the recipient's name (for letters), the date of composition, and the collection in which the document is located. Details for publication plans must include title, publisher, and the actual or planned date of publication. The Society cannot give permission to publish without this information.
Copyright Information
The Copyright Act (PL 94-553), effective January 1, 1978, provides protection for all writings from the date of creation whether or not they are formally copyrighted. The law extends copyright protection until December 31, 2002, to all unpublished works now protected under common law. It is very important that researchers obtain permission for the publication of material, as the penalties for violation of the statute are severe. Before any material from MHS collections may be published, the permission of the Society or other owners of specific materials must be obtained in writing. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain such permission. If you have any questions about MHS publication policies, contact the reference librarian at the address above before making your formal request.
Ordering Images
The Society will strive to provide high-resolution digital scans for publication, motion picture or video reproduction, websites, exhibition, or other purposes. Service and reproduction fees apply for the use of all images. Some items from the MHS collections are available for purchase through the Bridgeman Art Library.
All inquiries regarding images of items in the Society's collections must be made in writing and include a complete and detailed citation for each item requested, as well as a clear, complete description of where and how the image will be reproduced. The staff of the MHS is not able to undertake image research or to select items from the collection for reproduction. Requests for images may be submitted by sending an email to the Reference Librarian.
No image may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the MHS. If a previous reproduction of the item already exists, a photocopy of the image and a complete citation of the earlier printing (including MHS negative number, if available) will help expedite fulfillment of the new order.
Fulfillment of standard orders generally takes from four to six weeks from receipt of the request. Orders placed during the summer months will take longer due to the high demand in the Society's reading room. Larger and more difficult requests, including images of three-dimensional items that cannot be digitized on a flatbed scanner, will take longer and must be reviewed by the MHS staff before they will be considered as orders. The MHS will not "rush" photographic services, regardless of cost. Images available through the Bridgeman Art Library may be available more quickly than those ordered directly through the Massachusetts Historical Society. MHS use fees still apply for images ordered from the Bridgeman Art Library (see permission to reproduced images, below). The MHS does not waive fees or offer volume discounts. The MHS does not distinguish between for-profit and nonprofit publishers or producers but offers a reduced "scholarly use" fee for limited-circulation research and academic publications.
If you have any questions about MHS photographic reproduction services and procedures, before placing your order, please contact the Reference Librarian at (617) 646-0509; by fax at (617) 859-0074; or send an email.
If you have any questions about MHS photographic reproduction services and procedures, before placing your order, please contact the Reference Librarian at (617) 646-0509; by fax at (617) 859-0074; or send an e-mail.
Permission to Reproduce Images from the MHS Collections
It is necessary for researchers to obtain separate, written permission for the reproduction or publication of all materials copied from the MHS collections. Requests for photographs and payment of photographic service fees do not constitute or imply permission to reproduce documents or images. The reproduction of images from MHS collections may incur use fees, including images ordered from the Bridgeman Art Library.
Requests for permission to reproduce images may be submitted by sending an email to library@masshist.org or by writing to:
Reference Librarian
Massachusetts Historical Society
1154 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02215
Please include a complete description of each item to be reproduced with all information requested for each image, together with a complete description of where, how, and when items will be reproduced. Be sure to indicate whether you have the photographic work you need for reproduction or are ordering digital scans at the same time that you are making your reproduction request.
Permissions are for one use only. The MHS does not give open-ended or multi-year permissions for reproduction. Each separate use (publication, exhibition, broadcast video, home video, theatrical release, etc.) must be requested in writing. Each reproduction in any format, or republication in the same or a different format, requires a separate permission. All reproductions must credit the Massachusetts Historical Society as the source of the image.
If you have any questions concerning MHS reproduction permissions procedures, please contact the Reference Librarian before making your request at (617) 646-0509; by fax at (617) 859-0074; or via e-mail.
