Vintage Stock Images

The type foundry and print shop of old would create books, like the one this image was discovered within, to help customers and clients with their design choices. Naturally, these books were jam packed with useful illustrative elements that could be combined to create a final piece. Today, these books are extremely difficult to get a hold of. Especially those that were published in the late 1800s. They were not mainstream publications, they simply served as ‘catalogs’ and thus were only produced in small numbers. Fortunately, we were introduced to a collector who had precisely what we had been searching for for so long. After some costly negotiations, we’re very excited to be able to share the wonderful gems within.

• License Info
• Resolution: 9450 x 13063
• Year of Print: Late 1800s
• Artist: Joh. Enschedé

From this collection

You’re looking at a beautiful piece of Japanese woodblock art from our collection of original 1881 prints by noted artist, Kono Bairei; Created for one of his best-known publications ‘one hundred birds’. Most of the bird species throughout this collection were native to Japan, with a few domesticated and some imported cage birds. Bairei was born and lived in Kyoto. He was apprenticed to the Maruyama printer Nakajima Raiso at the age of eight. He was a pupil of Shijo artist Shiokawa Bunrin and followed the Nanga school tradition. He established the Kyoto Prefectural School of Painting before opening his own studio to students and retiring from teaching.

• License Info
• Resolution: 11582 x 7905
• Year of Print: 1881
• Artist: Kono Bairei

From this collection

You’re looking at a well preserved original plate from Johann Georg Heck’s “Iconographic Encyclopedia of Sciences, Literature and Art” published in 1851 by Rudolphe Garrigue in New York. We were extremely fortunate to acquire the full collection of illustrative prints from the series, which after many months of looking, proved to be very difficult!

• License Info
• Resolution: 9183 x 7271 300dpi
• Year of Print: 1851
• Artist: Johann Georg Heck

From this collection

You’re looking at a well preserved original plate from Johann Georg Heck’s “Iconographic Encyclopedia of Sciences, Literature and Art” published in 1851 by Rudolphe Garrigue in New York. We were extremely fortunate to acquire the full collection of illustrative prints from the series, which after many months of looking, proved to be very difficult!

• License Info
• Resolution: 9362 x 7881 300dpi
• Year of Print: 1851
• Artist: Johann Georg Heck

From this collection

You’re looking at a beautifully detailed, lithograph print by Gustave Doré. A French artist, printmaker, illustrator, comics artist, caricaturist, and sculptor who worked primarily with wood-engraving. This particular engraving was sourced from the 1891 ‘Bible Gallery’ book that compiled a collection of Doré’s biblical themed artwork.

• License Info
• Resolution: 7732 x 10252 300dpi
• Year of Print: 1891
• Artist: Gustave Dore

From this collection

You’re looking at a beautifully detailed, lithograph print by Gustave Doré. A French artist, printmaker, illustrator, comics artist, caricaturist, and sculptor who worked primarily with wood-engraving. This particular engraving was sourced from the 1891 ‘Bible Gallery’ book that compiled a collection of Doré’s biblical themed artwork.

• License Info
• Resolution: 7900 x 10838 300dpi
• Year of Print: 1891
• Artist: Gustave Dore

From this collection

Here we have a wonderful chromolithograph print from Heinrich Dolmetsch’s “Der Ornamentenschatz – Ein Musterbuch stilvoller Ornamente aus allen Kunstepochen”. Published by Stuttgart, Hoffmann. A celebrated collection of ornamental/decorative designs and artwork inspired by various geographical regions and movements of the 16th / 17th and 18th century.

• License Info
• Resolution: 8368 x 11848 300dpi
• Year of Print: 1889
• Artist: Heinrich Dolmetsch

From this collection

• License Info
• Resolution: 14400 x 20000 300dp
• Year of Print: 1850

Related Images

An original Antique Plate scan from the National Encyclopaedia: A Dictionary of Universal Knowledge. Published by William Mackenzie in 1880. Click on the Artist’s name to see the full collection from this series!

• License Info
• Resolution: 7594 x 10009 300dpi
• Year of Print: 1880
• Artist: William Mackenzie

From this collection

An original Antique Plate scan from the National Encyclopaedia: A Dictionary of Universal Knowledge. Published by William Mackenzie in 1880. Click on the Artist’s name to see the full collection from this series!

• License Info
• Resolution: 7594 x 10009 300dpi
• Year of Print: 1880
• Artist: William Mackenzie

From this collection

An original Antique Plate scan from the National Encyclopaedia: A Dictionary of Universal Knowledge. Published by William Mackenzie in 1880. Click on the Artist’s name to see the full collection from this series!

• License Info
• Resolution: 7594 x 10009 300dpi
• Year of Print: 1880
• Artist: William Mackenzie

From this collection

Here we have an original vintage print from the Auguste Racinet L’ornement Polycrome (1870) series. One of the finest collections of decorative arts from the 19th century, refered to for inspiration by many modern creators. Many interesting and useful design elements are waiting to be explored in this one piece! The purpose of the fantastic reproductions in L’Ornement polychrome were to inspire an improvement of the decorative arts of its time.

• License Info
• Resolution: 12793 x 18138 300dpi
• Year of Print: Estimated 1873
• Artist: Auguste Racinet

From this collection

Here we have an original vintage print from the Auguste Racinet L’ornement Polycrome (1870) series. One of the finest collections of decorative arts from the 19th century, refered to for inspiration by many modern creators. Many interesting and useful design elements are waiting to be explored in this one piece! The purpose of the fantastic reproductions in L’Ornement polychrome were to inspire an improvement of the decorative arts of its time.

• License Info
• Resolution: 13449 x 19180 300dpi
• Year of Print: Estimated 1873
• Artist: Auguste Racinet

From this collection

Here we have an original vintage print from the Auguste Racinet L’ornement Polycrome (1870) series. One of the finest collections of decorative arts from the 19th century, refered to for inspiration by many modern creators. Many interesting and useful design elements are waiting to be explored in this one piece! The purpose of the fantastic reproductions in L’Ornement polychrome were to inspire an improvement of the decorative arts of its time.

• License Info
• Resolution: 12433 x 17740 300dpi
• Year of Print: Estimated 1873
• Artist: Auguste Racinet

From this collection

Here we have an original vintage print from the Auguste Racinet L’ornement Polycrome (1870) series. One of the finest collections of decorative arts from the 19th century, refered to for inspiration by many modern creators. Many interesting and useful design elements are waiting to be explored in this one piece! The purpose of the fantastic reproductions in L’Ornement polychrome were to inspire an improvement of the decorative arts of its time.

• License Info
• Resolution: 12433 x 17740 300dpi
• Year of Print: Estimated 1873
• Artist: Auguste Racinet

From this collection

Here we have an original vintage print from the Auguste Racinet L’ornement Polycrome (1870) series. One of the finest collections of decorative arts from the 19th century, refered to for inspiration by many modern creators. Many interesting and useful design elements are waiting to be explored in this one piece! The purpose of the fantastic reproductions in L’Ornement polychrome were to inspire an improvement of the decorative arts of its time.

• License Info
• Resolution: 13087 x 18674 300dpi
• Year of Print: Estimated 1873
• Artist: Auguste Racinet

From this collection

You’re looking at a beautiful piece of Japanese woodblock art from our collection of original 1881 prints by noted artist, Kono Bairei; Created for one of his best-known publications ‘one hundred birds’. Most of the bird species throughout this collection were native to Japan, with a few domesticated and some imported cage birds. Bairei was born and lived in Kyoto. He was apprenticed to the Maruyama printer Nakajima Raiso at the age of eight. He was a pupil of Shijo artist Shiokawa Bunrin and followed the Nanga school tradition. He established the Kyoto Prefectural School of Painting before opening his own studio to students and retiring from teaching.

• License Info
• Resolution: 11582 x 8028
• Year of Print: 1881
• Artist: Kono Bairei

From this collection

• License Info
• Resolution: 15000px x 9288px

Related Images

• License Info
• Resolution: 4095px x 6257px
• Year of Print: 1896
• Artist: Edward Lloyd

From this collection

You’re looking at a well preserved original plate from Johann Georg Heck’s “Iconographic Encyclopedia of Sciences, Literature and Art” published in 1851 by Rudolphe Garrigue in New York. We were extremely fortunate to acquire the full collection of illustrative prints from the series, which after many months of looking, proved to be very difficult!

• License Info
• Resolution: 7243 x 9146 300dpi
• Year of Print: 1851
• Artist: Johann Georg Heck

From this collection

This wild mushroom illustration was sourced from 19th-century botanical prints and carefully restored to preserve its original texture, color, and character. Digitally isolated with a transparent background, it’s ideal for nature-themed collage work, junk journaling, graphic design, and vintage-inspired projects.

• Image Type(s): PNG

From this collection

This wild mushroom illustration was sourced from 19th-century botanical prints and carefully restored to preserve its original texture, color, and character. Digitally isolated with a transparent background, it’s ideal for nature-themed collage work, junk journaling, graphic design, and vintage-inspired projects.

• Image Type(s): PNG

From this collection

This vintage sea shell illustration was carefully isolated from a hand-colored engraving published in the mid-1800s. Part of a detailed natural history collection, it showcases the intricate textures and rich tones typical of 19th-century scientific illustration. Perfect for collage, print, or digital design work, this transparent PNG retains the charm and precision of antique artwork while offering modern usability.

• Image Type(s): PNG

From this collection

This vintage sea shell illustration was carefully isolated from a hand-colored engraving published in the mid-1800s. Part of a detailed natural history collection, it showcases the intricate textures and rich tones typical of 19th-century scientific illustration. Perfect for collage, print, or digital design work, this transparent PNG retains the charm and precision of antique artwork while offering modern usability.

• Image Type(s): PNG

From this collection

This vintage sea shell illustration was carefully isolated from a hand-colored engraving published in the mid-1800s. Part of a detailed natural history collection, it showcases the intricate textures and rich tones typical of 19th-century scientific illustration. Perfect for collage, print, or digital design work, this transparent PNG retains the charm and precision of antique artwork while offering modern usability.

• Image Type(s): PNG

From this collection

This vintage sea shell illustration was carefully isolated from a hand-colored engraving published in the mid-1800s. Part of a detailed natural history collection, it showcases the intricate textures and rich tones typical of 19th-century scientific illustration. Perfect for collage, print, or digital design work, this transparent PNG retains the charm and precision of antique artwork while offering modern usability.

• Image Type(s): PNG

From this collection

We’re breathing new life into antique type!

This font is part of our growing collection of restored typefaces, carefully revived from original specimens in the Century Library archive. Each one is a direct translation of the past – scanned, cleaned up, and converted into a working font so you can actually use these historic letterforms, not just look at them.

These aren’t modern interpretations or redesigns. What you see is what was once printed – charming imperfections and all. The character set is limited to what was available in the original source material, which varies from font to font.

Perfect for adding an authentic vintage feel to your designs – whether you’re working on a book cover, a poster, branding, or just something personal – these fonts carry all the texture, age, and personality you’d expect from type that’s over a century old.

• License Info

From this collection

• Image Type(s): PNG

From this collection

This image is part of our Extensive Collection of 135 Greek, Roman, and Mythology Vintage Line Art Illustrations. Each piece hand-selected from a variety of 19th-century books and ephemera found within our private library.

• Image Type(s): PNG

From this collection

This image is part of our Extensive Collection of 135 Greek, Roman, and Mythology Vintage Line Art Illustrations. Each piece hand-selected from a variety of 19th-century books and ephemera found within our private library.

• Image Type(s): PNG

From this collection

This image is part of our Extensive Collection of 135 Greek, Roman, and Mythology Vintage Line Art Illustrations. Each piece hand-selected from a variety of 19th-century books and ephemera found within our private library.

• Image Type(s): PNG

From this collection

This image is part of our Extensive Collection of 135 Greek, Roman, and Mythology Vintage Line Art Illustrations. Each piece hand-selected from a variety of 19th-century books and ephemera found within our private library.

• Image Type(s): PNG

From this collection

This image is part of our Extensive Collection of 135 Greek, Roman, and Mythology Vintage Line Art Illustrations. Each piece hand-selected from a variety of 19th-century books and ephemera found within our private library.

• Image Type(s): PNG

From this collection

This image is part of our Extensive Collection of 135 Greek, Roman, and Mythology Vintage Line Art Illustrations. Each piece hand-selected from a variety of 19th-century books and ephemera found within our private library.

• Image Type(s): PNG

From this collection

This image is part of our Extensive Collection of 135 Greek, Roman, and Mythology Vintage Line Art Illustrations. Each piece hand-selected from a variety of 19th-century books and ephemera found within our private library.

• Image Type(s): PNG

From this collection

This image is part of our Extensive Collection of 135 Greek, Roman, and Mythology Vintage Line Art Illustrations. Each piece hand-selected from a variety of 19th-century books and ephemera found within our private library.

• Image Type(s): PNG

From this collection

• Resolution: 2933 × 3405
• Image Type(s): PNG

From this collection

• Resolution: 4142 × 2267
• Image Type(s): PNG

From this collection

• Resolution: 3772 × 3218
• Image Type(s): PNG

From this collection

A vintage illustration of a weasel skeleton, featuring an elongated body and delicate bone structure. This transparent PNG is ideal for zoological and anatomical studies.

• Resolution: 3068px x 1041px
• Image Type(s): PNG

From this collection

A vintage illustration of a Malayan tapir skeleton, featuring a compact form and detailed bone structure. This transparent PNG is perfect for educational and wildlife-themed projects.

• Resolution: 4639px x 2319px
• Image Type(s): PNG

From this collection

A full brown ornate border frame with wavy linework and detailed patterns, ideal for certificates and official documents.

• Image Type(s): PNG

From this collection

This image showcases a simple, natural wooden frame with a light grain texture, providing a clean and minimalist appearance. It is ideal for art and photo displays that require a subtle yet stylish frame without overwhelming the content within. The light wood finish gives it a soft, natural look.

• Image Type(s): PNG

From this collection

A vintage map of Minnesota highlighting its numerous lakes, urban areas, and transportation routes, showcasing the state’s geographical diversity from the early 20th century.

• Resolution: 7166 x 5100
• Image Type(s): JPG

From this collection

This antique map showcases Eastern India, Burma (now Myanmar), Siam (now Thailand), and French Indo-China (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia), with a focus on the geopolitical boundaries and major cities of the early 20th century. The map provides a detailed view of the region’s topographical features, including rivers, mountain ranges, and coastlines, reflecting the historical context of Southeast Asia during this period.

• Resolution: 7143 x 5100
• Image Type(s): JPG

From this collection

An antique map of Western England and Wales, showcasing detailed regional boundaries and cities like Liverpool and Manchester. The map highlights important geographical features, transportation routes, and historical landmarks in the area.

• Resolution: 7126 x 5100
• Image Type(s): JPG

From this collection

Detailed vintage illustration of a flying lemur, showing its gliding membrane on a transparent background. Ideal for educational resources, design projects, or zoological studies.

• Resolution: 2908 × 4578
• Image Type(s): PNG

From this collection

• License Info
• Resolution: 8647 × 2618
• Image Type(s): PNG

From this collection

• License Info
• Resolution: 3241 × 5208
• Image Type(s): PNG

From this collection

• License Info
• Resolution: 3407 × 2361
• Image Type(s): PNG

From this collection