Copyright Free Photos: The New York Public Library

I’ve posted articles before about sources for Copyright Free photos and thought I’d share the most recent rabbit hole I’ve disappeared into. 

The New York Public Library Digital Collections

Another amazing resource full of photos, manuscripts, books, maps…. be still my beating heart. And here is a wonderful feature… on the home page there is a magic little search box with another magic little click box beneath it. See that??? You can narrow down your search to public domain materials with one click.

I am a super softie for historic photos – especially those capturing traditional dress of the cultures of the world. Textiles, clothes, real people from parts of the world. Your ancestors. My ancestors. I love being reminded that America is an entire nation of immigrants. When we are honest about it Native Americans are the only people on this continent who didn’t arrive from somewhere else (in the last 550 years or so) looking for something better.

Pay close attention to the green box here. See that bar along the bottom? It says “free to use without restriction.” Magic words my friends.

These pieces are all from a collection titled Portrais of Immigrants at Ellis Island, New York.

Guadeloupe Woman by Augustus Sherman

Russian Cossacks by Augustus Sherman

Scottish Boys by Augustus Sherman

Dutch Children by Augustus Sherman