"One may reproduce old photographs but not new reproductions of same"

That's my understanding. If I (or VWML) own an out of copyright photograph I can copy it and claim copyright on my copy. For you to copy the original, or even look at it, I have to give you my permission because it's mine. VWML probably has to let you see it under whatever rules govern it but probably doesn't have to let you copy it without you agreeing that they retain copyright of the new thing.