78.1 KB jpg image at 800 x 600 pixels.

This unusual illustration depicts a heavily muscled man bound to a tree by one leg and one arm. This position is used to accentuate the complexities of his musculature.

This illustration is dated 1830 and signed, Clorion. This early creation date assures that this stock image it is in the public domain.

449 Kilobyte JPG. Hosted by the National Institute of Health website.

Originally an illustration from Bouglé: Le corpus humain et grandeur naturelle: planches coloriées et superposées, avec texte explicatif, this stock illustration depicts a male figure with few organs except the cardiovascular system. The heart, veins, and arteries are drawn in great detail and are colored so as to stand out against other organs.

Le Corps Humain et Grandeur Naturelle was published in 1899. This pre-1923 publication date ensures that this stock image it is in the public domain.

449 Kilobyte JPG. Hosted by the National Institute of Health website.

This illustrated medical stock image was originally published in Bouglé: Le corpus humain et grandeur naturelle: planches coloriées et superposées, avec texte explicatif. It depicts a male figure with skin removed exposing the bodies musculature. Some portions of the musculature are left out to reveal additional detail.

Le Corps Humain et Grandeur Naturelle was published in 1899. This pre-1923 publication date ensures that this stock image it is in the public domain.

356 Kilobyte JPG. Hosted by the National Institute of Health website.

Published in the Le corps humain et grandeur naturelle : planches coloriées et superposées, avec texte explicatif in 1890, this illustrated stock image depicts the human skeleton with some internal organs. The soft tissue outline of the male figure is visible, with male organs in detail.

Le Corps Humain et Grandeur Naturelle was published in 1899. Because of this pre-1923 publication date, this stock image it is in the public domain.

356 Kilobyte JPG. Hosted by the National Institute of Health website.

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.

This is a peaceful public domain stock image captured by Jack Delano for the FSA. In this stock photo, four people are going into town on a Saturday afternoon on a horse drawn wagon. There appears to be one man and three woman in this photograph taken in Greene Co., Georgia.

There is something about the horse-drawn wagon that evokes a simpler, quieter time before car fumes and clouded highways. This image captures the stillness of that nostalgia with blue skies and a carefully dressed family.

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. Privacy and publicity rights may apply.

42 megabyte TIFF. Hosted at the Library of Congress.

Posed? Well maybe… but cool nonetheless. Arthur Rothstein captures two young student pilots standing beside a very shiny red airplane at Meacham Field, Fort Worth, Texas. The student pilots are dressed in bright white flight suits that contrast intensely with the red plane. The two men appear to be looking over a map or flight plan.

This photo was taken by Arthur Rothstein, 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. Privacy and publicity rights may apply.

59 megabyte TIFF. Hosted at the Library of Congress.