Question on Citation Ethics

But is it fair game to include these in my manuscript, as long as I properly cite them? Or is it inappropriate to do so, since the items are for sale and aren't intended for reuse?
Maybe this helps. The example below is about letters from a WWII Seabee to his bride, found at a flea market. It says ownership of the letter does not mean ownership of the copyright, so in your case, the buyer at the auction cannot accuse you of a copyright infringement, because the buyer does not automatically own the copyright:
Snip-it_1623957688166.jpg

Snip-it_1623957765056.jpg

https://www.legalgenealogist.com/2012/12/03/copyright-and-the-lost-letters/

It is said here that copyright has expired on letters when the writer has died more then 70 years ago. I think that can be assumed....and to be on the safe side, quote only small portions and, as @Zella and others already said, quote the website where you found it, including the date when you saw it.
This page
https://poorvucenter.yale.edu/writing/using-sources/citing-internet-sources
provides details.
 
Back
Top