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Photo Archive
Policies
Please note that the Archive reserves the right to refuse any request and to impose such conditions that are in the best interest of the collection. Prices are subject to change and are updated periodically. Please confirm prices with the Photo Archivist before placing an order.
The Parks Photo Archive is a repository of more than 200,000 images created by the Parks Department from 1856 to the present. The majority of the photographs were taken after 1933, and the collection is especially strong in representing the era when Robert Moses was Parks Commissioner (1934-1960).
The Parks Photo Archive contains comprehensive images of parks acquisition, development and use, including design and construction improvements, special events, significant features, general park activities, and aerial views. The Archive additionally includes a small collection of color motion picture footage from the 1930s and 1940s.
Contact
For contemporary
images (1986 - present):
Call the Parks Press Office at (212) 360-1311.
For maps,
plans or renderings:
Call the Parks Map Division/Olmsted Center at (718) 760-6798.
For historical
information:
Call the Parks Historian at (212) 360-8183 or the
Parks Librarian at (212) 360-8240.
Guidelines
Researchers wishing to use the collection should fill out the Submission Form or send specific requests by mail or fax to arrange for an appointment.
Fees are applied to help preserve the collection materials. We require pre-payment by checks, money orders, or credit card. (Make your check payable to City of New York/ Parks & Recreation.) Turnaround time for photo orders is approximately three to four weeks.
Copyright notice
Copyright is a form of protection provided by the laws of the United States for "original works of authorship" including architectural, cartographic, pictorial, graphic, sculptural, and audiovisual creations. The Copyright Law of the United States (17 U.S.C. § 101 et seq.) protects such creations and regulates the photocopying or other reproduction of copyrighted material.
The Copyright Law permits limited “fair use” of copyrighted material, which includes use for purposes such as private study, scholarship and research. The material within the Parks Photo Archive is the property of the City of New York/Parks and Recreation (“Parks”). As such, Parks has exclusive rights to publicly display, reproduce, or sell copies of the material.
If an individual makes a request for, and later uses a reproduction or photocopy of a work from, the Parks Photo Archive beyond the permissible “fair use,” that person may be liable for copyright infringement and subject to the applicable penalties under federal copyright law.
Reproduction Procedure
Complete
the "Application to Visual Work Release."
Permission to publish, reprint, broadcast, or re-duplicate
in any way reproductions made from original material
of the Parks Photo Archive is subject to the Visual
Work Release.
Photocopy fees
As per researcher’s request, photocopies will be made by the Archivist.
In excess of five (5) images, a photocopy fee of 20 cents per image will be assessed.
Permission to publish, reprint, broadcast, or re-duplicate in any way reproductions made from a photocopy from the Parks Photo Archive is subject to the Visual Work Release.
Processing Fees and Shipping & Handling
Print |
Paper |
Cost |
8 x 10 black & white |
Photo quality or "pictographic" |
$30.00 |
- 8x10 inches, black & white print on photo quality or “pictorographic” paper: $30.00
- For larger sizes or exhibition prints, please contact the Archivist. Orders requiring RUSH service (less than 7 days) are subject to a 100% surcharge on the processing costs.
- Shipping by USPS first class mail is limited in the U.S.
- For information about overseas delivery, please contact the Archivist.
Rental
fees for "Greensward" plan
8x10 color transparencies,
50-day rental period
| Purpose | Price |
| For nonprofit/scholarly publications (inside body of the publication) | $70.00 |
| For commercial publications (inside body of the publication) | $150.00 |
Reproduction Rights
One-time U.S. Rights,
150% charge for Worldwide
| Purpose | Price |
| For nonprofit/scholarly publications (inside body of the publication) | $30.00 per image |
| For commercial publications (inside body of the publication), exhibitions | $50.00 per image |
| For nonprofit/scholarly publications, films, TVs, but not web use | $60.00 per image
|
| For commercial
publications, films, TVs, but not web use |
$80.00 per image |
For more information, please contact:
Parks Photo Archivist
The Olmsted Center, Room 25
Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Flushing, NY 11368
Tel: (718) 760-6745; Fax: (718) 760-6638
Email the Archivist