Our policy as of May 2002, if you want to borrow an image you will have to pay a fee for it. We have started this program because we need funding to put more fashion articles online. 100% of the funding is made from our advertising, affiliate programs (commission on books sales), and loaning of images, goes back into putting more fashion history articles online. Currently we have over 40 more fashion magazines and 300 photographs waiting to go online.

  Why are you charging for the images?

The majority of photographs that you see on The Costume Gallery cost us between $5 up to $75 to purchase. The long hair photographs are the most expensive, averaging $50 each. The antique magazines cost us between $15 to $125. Now that is the actual cost we paid for the item. Now add to that cost that each image takes from 3 to 24 hours of hours to prep it to go onto the web. The Year in Fashion: 1870 took over 60 hours to create in design time. If you would like to see some of our restoration work on an image go see little Susie photo. She took 5 hours to restore.

  How much does it cost to borrow an image?

If you are using an image for a class research paper or your personal collection, the cost is $5 an image. If you are a school teacher the cost is $5, as long as the image is used in the classroom and NOT on a website. If you are an instructor, proof of employment will need to be provided. Payment is only accepted by credit card or e-check.

If you are wanting to use our images for any type of publication, a website, stationary, manuscripts, presentation to a group other than a classroom setting, and all other forms of publications, print or electronic, the fee is $50 per image. Payment can be accepted via credit card, e-check, money order, or personal check. People using our information for publication will have to adhere to some strict guidelines.

  How to ask for an image? (VERY IMPORTANT)

First and foremost... by asking politely... if you write stating "give me"... I hit the delete button. We are a business and expect to be treated as one.

You must provide the following information in your email letter:

  How will I receive my image?

Once payment has been received and payment has cleared, you will be sent the image via email. If used for print publications, such as books, newspapers, or magazines, we will mail you a CD with the image on it.

  What will happen if you decide to take an image or link directly to our image base?

When you are caught, you will be given 24 hours notice to remove the image. If it is not removed, you will hear from our attorney. Don't think we can't catch you on the web... we have high tech protection on the images and can tell if you have one. This warning also includes messageboards, personal or public.