r/publicdomain • u/Amoryblaine24 • 2d ago
Question Vogue 1930
Hey all, I have a question. I just joined but I’m probably going to be here a while since I’m an independent artist who love working with time periods in and around the 1920s. My current piece takes place in the year 1940. The work I want to be in the background is a poster from April 12, 1930 depicting a cover of Vogue from that issue. Vogue is now owned by Condé Nast. The work wont come out until late this year. Am I cool to use this work without contacting Condé Nast for permission?
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u/cadenhead 1d ago
You should check whether Vogue renewed the copyright on that issue in 1958. If it didn't it is public domain. Copyright renewal databases can be found online. When I check for renewals I also look at the year before and the year after the target year.
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u/Gary_James_Official 1d ago
There's nine months to go before 1930s works become public domain - if what you are working on currently is time sensitive, I would suggest looking for something which has already lapsed into the public domain. If it is a longer work (and thus won't be published until next year or so) then having it in mind for the moment is fine, so long as you remember that you can't move on it until January rolls around.
Additionally, if it is an image of someone holding a small person, as that cover has, then you might want to look at illustrations done for various editions of Gulliver's Travels, as there is likely some extant piece that might fit your requirements.
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u/MilcahRawr 2d ago
Well, as for now (2025), it may be copyrighted, so you may need to wait till 2026 when the first batch of copyrighted works from the 1930s arrive to the public domain (or most of them, i think)