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Questionable EBay listing



Hi all,

I was surprised to see the following on EBay today:

"Photo of 52nd Street from Walnut Street,
showing the YMCA, West Philadelphia,
Pa., c1920. This print was printed from a
copy negative. A mint condition, 8X10 black
and white photograph found in the archives
of a private collection. Over the past 35
years this private collection was assembled
from copy negatives or original negatives
obtained from many state historical societies,
National Archives, Library Of Congress, and various
private sources.

Each photographic print is hand printed
from a negative. This timeless image would
make a great gift or decoration for Home/Office.
Good luck and thanks for bidding!"

I'm guessing that the LOC and state archives do not transfer copyright to
a photo upon allowing a patron to photograph it or or upon providing a
copy.  All of this seller's listings seem to have the same statement about
how they were acquired so it seems unlikely that all have fallen magically
into public domain.

Any thoughts?

Evan Towle
        Urban Archives
        Temple University

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