The New York Public Library recently digitized and made available more than 180,000 high-resolution items, which the public can download for free.
These images are from works in the library’s collection that have fallen out of copyright or are otherwise in the public domain. This includes botanical illustrations, ancient texts, and historical maps–including the incredible Green Book collection of travel guides for African American travelers in the mid-1900s. They’ve also released more than 40,000 stereoscopes, Bernice Abbott’s documentation of New York City in the 1930s, and Lewis Hines’ photos of Ellis Island immigrants, as well as the letters of Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison, among other political figures.
This is a great way to get images for your blog posts, your e-books, and any of your projects.
Be warned! You’ll find yourself just searching and viewing, which is harmless enough. But then you might end up going back again and again without a real purpose in mind to stop the cycle of mindless browsing that could last all day long – so it’s a good idea to plan ahead before diving into this rabbit hole.
For more suggestions on where you can get images, check out Where Do I Get Images?
Note: This post has been updated from it original posting date.
I didn’t realize this, thanks for sharing!
Sure thing!
I’m so excited, Paul, because I’ve used this resource before. I grew up in New York City and I was able to see the block where I grew up and how it looked back in 1917, and saw, for the first time, the housing project where I lived as a baby out in Queens (photos taken the year I was born) . Now this resource is better than ever and I love how I can specify public domain only. Thank you so much!
Yes! I actually looked up the building that I grew up in when I lived in NYC – the Apthorp Building – it is a great resource for public domain images!
What a super share, Paul!
Thanks for that great information. I will expect to spend a day just meandering through the images. As soon as I have some free time- or make the time.
Free Time someday… I know the feeling!
What a super share, Paul!
Thanks for that great information. I will expect to spend a day just meandering through the images. As soon as I have some free time- or make the time.
There are some great images here! Enjoy them!
Thanks for sharing some great images.
You are very welcome.