NASM Archives' Frequently Asked Questions: Photo Archives

How much does it cost to get a copy of a photograph in your collections?
It depends on whether there is already a scan of the photograph available from Smithsonian Institution Archives Photographic Services (SIA-PS). A copy file of an existing SIA-PS scan costs $7.50 per image; If a scan must be made, the charge for scanning the original image and providing the copy file is $50.00 per image. The charge for a print is $50.00. Copy photograph prices are set by the Smithsonian Institution Archives (SIA), which is the photo service provider for the National Air and Space Museum Archives – please see the Smithsonian Institution Archives order form (PDF format, 86k) for further information.

How fast can I get a copy of a photo?
Standard delivery is within twenty business days from the time an order is placed with the Smithsonian Institution Archives Photographic Services (SIA-PS). Rush delivery within five business days is also available for an additional charge.

Everything in the National Air and Space Museum collections is in the Public Domain, right?
No, many images in the collections are copyright National Air and Space Museum and/or copyright Smithsonian Institution, and written permission from the National Air and Space Museum Archives is required to reproduce these images. Copyright on some images is held by a third party, and permission would need to be obtained directly from those copyright holders. Most images which originated with the U.S. Government are in the public domain.

For more information, visit the U.S. Copyright Office website.

What happened to those USAF photos that used to be at the National Air and Space Museum Archives? The U.S. Air Force Pre-1954 Still Photo Collection has been transferred to the Still Pictures Branch of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), and relocated to the National Archives facility at College Park, Maryland.

I'm looking for a photograph of the nose art and/or nickname on a particular aircraft - can you help me?
Possibly. Please send a written request to the National Air and Space Museum Archives Reference Desk. Please indicate the type of aircraft as well as any unit information you might have. During World War II, the same nickname (Duchess, Shoo Shoo Baby, Pistol Packin' Mama, etc.) was often used on several different aircraft.

In Gary Valant's 1987 book, Vintage Aircraft Nose Art, there are a lot of photographs credited to "National Air and Space Museum." If I see a photo in the book that I like, can I order a copy photo from the National Air and Space Museum Archives?
Almost all of the photographs credited to "National Air and Space Museum" in this book are part of the U.S. Air Force Pre-1954 Official Still Photography Collection, now located at the Still Pictures Branch of the National Archives at College Park, Maryland.

If I see an aircraft photo credited to "National Air and Space Museum" in Gary Valant's 1987 book, Vintage Aircraft Nose Art, does that mean that the original aircraft is on display at the National Air and Space Museum?
No. Most of the aircraft pictured no longer exist. The credit means that Gary Valant obtained the photograph from the National Air and Space Museum Archives at the time he was working on the book. Almost all of the photographs credited to "National Air and Space Museum" in this book are actually part of the U. S. Air Force Pre-1954 Official Still Photography Collection located at the Still Pictures Branch of the National Archives at College Park, Maryland.