Customer Service: Research Services
We offer Quick Search and In-Depth Research Services
While the Maine Historical Society can not digitize its entire collection for Vintage Maine Images, we are happy to mine our collections.
Less than 1% of our collections are online. As the largest private repository of Maine-related items, the Maine Historical Society has in its holdings:
- Over 100,000 photographs
- Over 10,000 glass plate negatives
- Architectural & Mechanical Drawings
- Maps
- Manuscripts (Journals, letters, etc)
- Broadsides, posters, announcements, newspapers
- Museum items
- Longfellow related memorabilia
- Visit the Maine Historical Society's library page for more information about our collections
Fees & Payment
Products and fees:
Please refer to our pricing page for specifics.
- All image orders include 15 minutes of research time to locate items.
- Additional staff research time may be available at $35 per hour (one-hour increments).
- If you need to keep costs low we encourage you to visit the Maine Historical Society research library to browse our collections.
- A $5 (minimum) postage & handling charge will be added to all orders shipped by mail. Expedited shipping available at additional cost.
- Orders are typically completed in two to four weeks.
- Any order requiring completion in less than two weeks (10 business days) is a "rush" order. 100% of the cost of the order is added to the fee for all rush orders; or 200% for 24 hours or less. Rush orders may not always be available. If you require a rush order please speak directly with the Image Services Coordinator.
- All image reproduction services must be prepaid. Once MHS receives payment your order will be placed into the workflow. MHS accepts cash, check, MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover.
- Maine Historical Society members receive a 10% discount on orders. If you would like to become a member please contact us at (207) 774-1822 or visit our membership page.
Services & Delivery
- MHS will scan or photograph materials from our collections that are in good condition, as determined by MHS staff.
- All scanning or photography is done by MHS staff or contracted with a local professional of our choosing.
- MHS does not loan from its collections nor allow individuals to scan or photograph our collections, with the exception of members of the society who may come to our library and take digital photos with no flash or lighting setup.
- Digital files are delivered electronically through www.VintageMaineImages.com. If you need the digital files on a CD there is a $5 surcharge. We do not deliver files via e-mail.
- You will be required to agree to our use policy before purchasing an image.
- Estimates are available upon request from the Image Services Coordinator. Estimates that include additional staff time may include a minimum charge.
- Maine Historical Society retains all original negatives and files created in association with image reproduction, whether photographic or digital.