Houghton Library Reproductions and Permissions

When the condition and format of the material allow, services ranging from electroprints (photocopies on archival paper) to custom photography of Houghton holdings are available via the Imaging Services Department in Widener Library. Orders may be placed only through a Houghton Public Services staff member who will determine whether the material is suitable for duplication, and if so, provide a cost estimate. To request reproductions, contact Public Services via e-mail. Reproductions of Harvard College Library materials are subject to Licensing and Copyright restrictions. For prices, please see the the Imaging Services Photocopying and Microfilm Reproduction Price List List.

Rare books: All rare books must be reviewed for condition before estimates can be given. If a large portion of the book is requested, the entire item must be filmed.

Manuscripts: Only fully cataloged manuscripts can be considered for duplication and only if the condition of the material permits safe handling and no donor restrictions apply. For more detailed information on copying manuscripts, read Houghton's Photoduplication Policies.

Printing and Graphic Arts: Books, manuscripts, and art which are part of the Printing and Graphic Arts collection (call number Typ) may not be photocopied, only photographed or filmed. These also require curatorial approval before copies can be made.

All orders require payment in advance. All orders for copies of manuscripts must be accompanied by an Application for the Examination of Manuscripts. Copies or film can be picked up in person at the Imaging Services Office, Room 90 in Widener Library, or mailed for an additional fee.

Permission to Publish

Requests for permission to publish and information about credit lines and use fees should be addressed to the appropriate curatorial department. See Permissions Contacts. If you are not sure which department oversees the material you wish to use, contact Public Services via e-mail.

Permission to publish should be sought only when you can identify precisely what it is you want to publish, and when you have a commitment from a publisher. Your letter requesting permission to publish should include the following information:

  • author of the book/article
  • title of the book/article
  • publisher or journal title
  • expected date of publication
  • size of the print run (i.e., the number of copies that will be printed)
  • for illustrations, whether it is to be used as an inside illustration or on the cover

Your request should also specifically describe the material that you are seeking permission to publish. You must give the complete citation. For books, provide the complete call number and page, for example, AC9.L8467.900s (A) p. 235. For manuscripts/photographs, provide the call number of the collection and item, for example, bMS Am 1925 (25). For more complete guidance on citation information, see the Manuscript Citation examples.

Fees and Timing

Fees are determined by the curators on a case-by-case basis. Under normal circumstances, it will take from three to six weeks for you to receive an answer to your letter. Letters and faxes are answered in the order in which they are received. E-mail requests to publish are not accepted. While the curators make every effort to answer requests promptly, it is not possible for them to answer "urgent" requests ahead of those who have applied in a timely fashion.

Permissions Contacts

Requests for permission to publish and information about credit lines and publication fees should be addressed to the appropriate curatorial department. If you are not sure which department oversees the material you wish to use, contact the Public Services Department via e-mail.

William P. Stoneman
Acting Curator of Early Books and Manuscripts
Houghton Library
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA 02138
Phone: 617-495-2441
Fax: 617-495-1376

Wallace F. Dailey
Curator of the Theodore Roosevelt Collection
Houghton Library
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA 02138
Phone: 617-384-7938

Rachel Howarth
Curator of the Harry Elkins Widener Collection
Houghton Library
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA 02138
Phone: 617-496-8679
Fax: 617-495-1376

Thomas Horrocks
Acting Curator of the Donald and Mary
Hyde Collection of Dr. Samuel Johnson
Houghton Library
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA 02138
Phone: 617-495-2442
Fax: 617-495-1376

Hope Mayo
Curator of Printing and Graphic Arts
Houghton Library
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA 02138
Phone: 617-495-2444
Fax: 617-495-1376

Leslie A. Morris
Curator of Modern Books and Manuscripts
Houghton Library
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA 02138
Phone: 617-495-2449
Fax: 617-495-1376

Wendy Mittelstadt
Media Technician, George Edward Woodberry Poetry Room
Lamont Library
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA 02138
Phone: 617-495-2454

Fredric Wilson
Curator of the Harvard Theatre Collection
Harvard Theatre Collection
Houghton Library
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA 02138
Phone: 617-495-2445
Fax: 617-496-5786


Photoduplication Policies

Only fully cataloged manuscripts (for collections, those that bear individual folder labels) can be considered for duplication. Categories of manuscripts not eligible for duplication include (but are not limited to) MS Accessions, MS Storage, and Arranged Manuscripts. Fully cataloged collections will be eligible for copying only if the condition of the material permits safe handling. Reading Room staff will determine whether manuscript material is suitable for duplication; the presence of any fragile item within a folder or case renders the manuscripts within that folder or case ineligible for copying of any kind. Readers may request either electroprints (photocopies on archival paper) or positive microfilm, according to the details listed below. Reading Room staff will provide instruction in marking manuscripts for copying, a cost estimate (which will include the copying of folder labels), the order form, and a receipt as needed.

Readers should be aware that certain manuscripts carry restrictions placed by donors on access and/or copying. Staff members will assist readers in seeking permission when necessary.

All orders require payment in advance; copies or film can be picked up in person at the Imaging Services Office, Room 90 in Widener Library, or they can be mailed for an additional fee.

Please note that requests for photoduplication of manuscript material bearing the classification MS Typ must be addressed to the Curator of Printing & Graphic Arts. Contact the Reading Room staff for directions.

Photocopies/Electroprints

Readers may request up to five sheets per folder (if the request is for more than five sheets, the entire folder must be microfilmed). Electroprint orders take from one week to 10 days' production time.

Microfilm

Only entire folders, (not individual sheets within folders) can be microfilmed. If a majority of folders within a box is requested, or most of a codex, the entire item must be filmed. Cost estimates for microfilm take at least one week to prepare; production time for these orders is three to five weeks after receipt of payment.

Existing Microfilm

If the library holds negative microfilm of an item or collection, readers may obtain electroprints or positive film of the entire reel. Parts of reels are not available. If the library holds positive microfilm, readers may use that film in the Reading Room to produce paper copies on the reader-printer machine. Reading Room staff will inform readers of the existence of either negative or positive film.

Manuscript Citation Examples

Element labels are given in square brackets, for illustration only.

[Description of item]Henry James, letter to Sir William Rothenstein, undated. [Collection name]Rothenstein Papers, [Collection call number]bMS Eng 1148 [Item number](786). [Repository name]Houghton Library, Harvard University.

Without labels:
Henry James, letter to Sir William Rothenstein, undated. Rothenstein Papers, bMS Eng 1148 (786). Houghton Library, Harvard University.

[Description of item]Henry James, letter to Mrs. Winthrop Sargeant, 28 Feb. 1905. [Collection call number; no item numbers]Autograph file. [Repository name]Houghton Library, Harvard University.

Without labels
Henry James, letter to Mrs. Winthrop Sargeant, 28 Feb. 1905. Autograph file. Houghton Library, Harvard University.

[Description of item]Henry James, Portrait of a lady, printed text with ms revisions, [1906?]. [Collection call number; no item numbers]MS Am 1237.17. [Repository name]Houghton Library, Harvard University.

Without labels
Henry James, Portrait of a lady, printed text with ms revisions, [1906?]. MS Am 1237.17. Houghton Library, Harvard University.

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