“Steamboat Willie” will be joining the original image of Batman and Wanda Gag’s Millions of Cats (considered America’s first picture book!) in the class of 2024 pop images entering into Public Domain…

“Graduation” (aka Public Domain) Day is January 1, 2024…

Wanda Gag’s unique illustrations — from “Millions of Cats”

But, be careful…. it’s not ALL images of THE Mouse… or of the Bat either….

The original —– as seen Cover of Action Comics 1 (Jun 1938 DC Comics), art by Joe Shuster, art, and Jack Adler, color

But what about a source for less famous — but perhaps more interesting — images…

Here’s one that combines German Opera & Cats… who doesn’t love that combo?


Weidhaas, Adolph Edward, photographer. Brünnhilde
. , 1936. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2017645524/.

The Library of Congress has public domain images accessible – click here to see what’s available at LC ! And, yes, it’s got a page devoted to cats — so click here for free feline photos....

A little closer to home for us New Yorkers… the New York Public Library also has a plethora of public domain images… which are also just a click away….

Here’s a charming one from the Nursery Rhyme “Froggy he would a Wooing Go”…

The Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Picture Collection, The New York Public Library. (1885). [“Pray, Miss Mouse, will you give us some beer?”] 

We creative types are nonetheless rather protective about our creations… so before using any artistic work… it’s best to consult the law.

Always a good starting point..

Nutshells, as eBook & print, are part of NYLI’s extensive collections….

This New Year, make a resolution to keep yourself up to date on copyright (& any area of law )– by joining The New York Law Institute…

Click here and become a NYLI member!