This fascinating stock image from the late nineteenth century captures a street scene and interesting architectural features in Amsterdam, Holland. In the near foreground, crowds of people are mingling with trolley cars and an ornate streetlight. Just beyond, a large statue towers above the street. The street is lined with multi-story buildings, a cathedral and hotels.

This stock image was developed in photochrom. This technique dates back to the 1880s and was employed by the several US firms during the early twentieth century. This developing method required a mix of toxic chemicals and the application of tints rubbed onto the final print using stones.

The vast majority of the photos within the Detroit Publishing Company Collection were published during the early twentieth century prior to 1920, when the company folded. These images meet the pre-1923 publication date requirement for inclusion into the public domain. The collection of stock images held by the Library of Congress was passed between a series of libraries and historical societies in the years following the closure. We assume that the purpose of these transactions was to increase public access to these photographs. The Library of Congress notes, “No known restrictions on reproduction.” For these reasons, we assume that all images within this collection are in the public domain.

24 megabyte TIFF. Hosted at the Library of Congress.

This small image captures the north staircase in the central stair hall at the Library of Congress. Two ornate arches in the foreground frame a staircase visible through the right arch. A statue at the foot of the banister appears to represent lady justice with a scale held aloft in her left hand.

This stock image was developed in cyanotype, a simple developing technique originating in the mid-nineteenth century. It entailed the use of only two chemicals, potassium ferricyanide and ferric ammonium citrate, which combined to create a photosensitive solution. This solution could be applied to nearly any paper or fabric to create a photosensitive surface. The image resulting from the exposure of this surface with a negative to ultraviolet light was a uniformly cyan-blue photograph.

The vast majority of the stock images within the Detroit Publishing Company Collection were published prior to 1920, when normal business operations were suspended. These images all reside within the public domain due to their pre-1923 publication date. This collection of stock images has passed through a series of libraries and historical societies. Our assumption is that these transfers were intended to facilitate greater access to the public. The Library of Congress notes “no known restrictions” on use.

441 kilobyte TIFF. Hosted at the Library of Congress.

This is a small image, at approximately 5×6″ at 72 ppi. It captures the central stair hall at the Library of Congress. The space is notable for the pageantry of ornate molding and frescoed ceilings. Some portions of the image are slightly out of focus, which, in this instance, creates an illustrated effect.

This stock image was shot in photochrom, a technique dating back to the 1880s and employed by the several US firms during the early twentieth century. It required the developer to employ a series of toxic chemicals to the print while rubbing the images with tint-bearing stones. The final images were often quite striking.

Most photographs from the Detroit Publishing Company Collection were published prior to 1920, when the firm ended business operations. These images reside in the public domain due to the early publication date. The collection has been passed between libraries and historical societies many times in the subsequent years. It seems reasonable to assume that the intention with each of these transfers was to make the collection more available to the public. For these reasons we are believe that images in the Detroit Publishing Company Collection reside in the public domain.

427 kilobyte TIFF. Hosted at the Library of Congress.

Finding great stock images in the public domain is priceless, and this is a great example. This stock image by Jack Delano captures an industrial plant in Lowell, Massachusetts. Two large smoke stacks are visible in the foreground with another in the distance. In the right foreground of this stock photo is a very cool period street lamp.

This photo was taken by Jack Delano, who was working as an agent of the United States government. Because this image was taken by an employee of the federal government, it is in the public domain.

48 megabyte TIFF. Hosted at the Library of Congress.

This public domain image captures a French-built fort at Saint Croix in the Virgin Islands. The Virgin Islands were a hotly disputed region during the colonial period in the Americas. During some periods, the islands of this archipelago were split among as many as four colonial powers. This led to the wide mix of architectural style found in the many cities and towns.

This photo was taken by Jack Delano, who was working as an agent of the United States government. Because this image was taken by an employee of the federal government, it is in the public domain.

59 megabyte TIFF. Hosted at the Library of Congress.

This 1940 photograph by Jack Delano gives us a detailed look at an industrial plant in Massachusetts. In the foreground, several cast-iron or ductile steel pipes extend from one brick building, turn at a ninety degree angle, and then enter another building also through a brick exterior wall. In the background, a tall cylindrical red-brick smokestack contrasts against a blue sky.

This photo was taken by Jack Delano, who was working as an agent of the United States government. Because this image was taken by an employee of the federal government, it is in the public domain.

61 megabyte TIFF. Hosted at the Library of Congress.

This photo was gifted to the Library of Congress by Herbert A. French in 1947. It is now in the public domain.

31 megabyte TIFF. Hosted at the Library of Congress.

This photo was shot by Carl Van Vechten and was gifted to the Library of Congress by the executor of his estate [Saul Mauriber]. It is therefore in the public domain. (It has been disputed that Saul Mauriber had the right to gift this collection. See: Carl Van Vechten Photographs (LOTs 12735 and 12736) | Rights and Restrictions Information. The Library of Congress contends that this collection remains within the public domain.)

138 kilobytes TIFF. Hosted at the Library of Congress.

This image was shot by Marion Wolcott as part of the F.S.A. effort in the late thirties. Because Marion Wolcott was an agent of the United States government, this image is assumed to be in the pubic domain.

14 megabyte TIFF. Hosted at the Library of Congress.