Collections · Rights & Reproductions
Order high-resolution reproductions from the collections.
Publication-quality digital files of Filson photographs, manuscripts, and museum items for research, classroom use, non-profit and commercial publication, and exhibitions. Standard turnaround 3–4 weeks; rush available.
How it works
Submit, pay, receive.
Files are delivered as 300–600 dpi TIFF or JPEG. The Filson does not provide printed reproductions. Filson members receive a 10% discount on all image reproduction orders. We request one gratis copy of any publication that includes a reproduction from the collections, where applicable.
- Submit the Collections Reproduction Request form ↗. Filson staff will contact you to confirm scope, paperwork, and total.
- Standard turnaround: 3–4 weeks after paperwork and payment are received. Large or complex requests may incur an additional hourly service fee.
- Rush available: $75 per order, processed within 10 business days of payment. (Not available for most A/V formats due to outsource requirements.)
- Sales tax: All fees subject to 6% Kentucky state sales tax. Non-profit orders are exempt with a Purchase Exemption Certificate provided at order time.
- The Filson reserves the right to withhold permission for the reproduction of any materials.
Image reproductions · fee schedule
Flat per-item fees by use type.
All fees subject to change. Filson members get 10% off.
| Use type | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Classroom Use, Theses, Dissertations | FREE* | Covers K–12, undergraduate, and graduate students. In-person and virtual classroom use, school projects, dissertations and theses. *Must use digital files already available online or self-taken images. |
| Social Media | FREE* | Must credit the Filson Historical Society, cite specific item information, and include a hyperlink to the original online item record where available. *Self-taken images or digital files already available online. |
| Research Purposes Only, Theses & Dissertations | $25 | Publication-quality files for research purposes only and materials reproduced for theses/dissertations. Permission paperwork required. |
| Non-Profit Use | $45 | Publication-quality files for books, magazines, journals, brochures, film, television, presentations, displays, exhibitions, websites. Purchase Exemption Certificate required. |
| Commercial Use | $65 | Publication-quality files for books, magazines, journals, brochures, film, television, presentations, displays, exhibitions, websites. |
| Museum Objects | Quote on request | Fees depend on the original format and whether the object photography needs to be outsourced. Non-Profit / Commercial Use fees apply when a digital file is already available. |
Service & rush fees
| Use type | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Service fee (large or complex orders) | $35/hr (Non-Profit & FHS Members) · $50/hr (Commercial) | Applied to orders that require additional staff time beyond the standard turnaround. |
| Rush fee | $75 per order | Rush orders processed within 10 business days after payment is received. |
Audio & video digitization
For sound recordings, home movies, and film.
| Use type | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Audio & video cassette digitization | $35 research · $45 non-profit · $65 commercial | Determined by original format. Rush fee not available. Purchase Exemption Certificate required for non-profit use. |
| Moving picture, home movie, films digitization | $300 research · $350 non-profit · $450 commercial | Films must be outsourced for reproduction. No rush fee; expect several months turnaround. |
A/V fees include outsourcing where required. Some formats require a multi-month turnaround; ask for a quote on a complete schedule.
Have a complex request?
Talk to Hailey before you submit.
For multi-item orders, museum-object photography, exhibition loans, broadcast use, or anything that doesn’t fit cleanly into the fee table — email Hailey first. She’ll scope the project and confirm what’s feasible before paperwork starts.