United States National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health

Especially for Image and Film Researchers

NLM collections of prints and photographs and historical films and videos provide a wealth of primary source material for image and film researchers. Administered by the NLM History of Medicine Division (HMD), the two collections present a comprehensive and fascinating visual record of the history of medicine, from 16th-century woodcuts to early dental cartoons to posters dealing with the AIDS epidemic.

Prints and Photographs

The prints and photographs collection contains approximately 100,000 images dating from the 15th to the 20th century. The collection includes portraits, photographs, caricatures, genre scenes, posters, and graphic art illustrating the social and historical aspects of medicine. Most types of printmaking are represented: woodcuts, engravings, etchings, mezzotints, aquatints, and lithographs. Also included in the collection are illustrations from the historical book collection.

To view the collection, see the Image database (IHM). For information about ordering copies of images, see IHM Order Image. For more information about the collection, see Prints and Photographs.

See also
Other Sources for Historical Pictures
Medical Stock Sources: Medical Stock Image Sources
Historical Collections Copyright Information


Last reviewed: 07 August 2008
Last updated: 07 August 2008
First published: 30 April 2004
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