Search
Premium Vintage Stock Images
VINTAGE Decorative Design Elements – Ribbons and Banners for Type
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: 7455 x 5390
- Year of Print: Late 1800s
- Artist: Schelter & Giesecke Type Foundry
From this collection
ANTIQUE Kono Bairei Wood Block Japanese Art Prints 1881 Owls in Tree
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
PHYSICS – Forces – Antique Johann Heck Iconography Engraving 1851
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: 9089 x 7190 300dpi
- Year of Print: 1851
- Artist: Johann Georg Heck
From this collection
ANTIQUE Botanical Print – Variety of Botany Illustrations – 1851 Print
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: 9268 x 7420 300dpi
- Year of Print: 1851
- Artist: Johann Georg Heck
From this collection
QUEEN Vashti Refusing to Obey the Command of Ahasuerus – 1891 Print
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: 7783 x 10798 300dpi
- Year of Print: 1891
- Artist: Gustave Dore
From this collection
DECORATIVE Gothic Wooden Mosaic Designs – Original Antique Print
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: 8204 x 11829 300dpi
- Year of Print: 1889
- Artist: Heinrich Dolmetsch
From this collection
MAMMALS – Edentata – Great Ant-Eater, Sloth, Manis. Antique 1880’s Artwork
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: 8600 x 5500 300dpi
- Year of Print: 1880
- Artist: William Mackenzie
From this collection
REPTILES Lizards – Agama, Dragon, Stellion. Antique 1880s Print
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: 5500 x 8600 300dpi
- Year of Print: 1880
- Artist: William Mackenzie
From this collection
ARABIAN Intricate Pattern Design RACINET Plate XXVII Original Vintage Illustrations
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
ANTIQUE Original Kono Bairei Woodblock Japanese Prints 1881 Birds
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
The White-Tailed Guereza (Colobus) – Vintage Coloured Print 1896
- License Info
- Resolution: 4169px x 6257px
- Year of Print: 1896
- Artist: Edward Lloyd
From this collection
Vintage Fourth of July Illustrations Featuring Statue of Liberty, Fireworks, and Saluting Soldiers
A collection of four bold, patriotic illustrations celebrating the Fourth of July. These vintage artworks include stylized depictions of the Statue of Liberty, fireworks displays, and a flag-raising ceremony with saluting soldiers. Ideal for use in themed projects, cards, or posters with a classic American flair.
- Image Type(s): SVG, PNG
- 4th of July
- american flag
- american heritage
- americana clipart
- classic celebration
- Fireworks
- flag raising
- flag salute
- freedom art
- independence day
- july 4th
- liberty figure
- liberty scene
- liberty torch
- national holiday
- patriotic art
- patriotic theme
- silhouette illustration
- stars and stripes
- statue of liberty
- USA pride
- vintage america
- vintage fourth
- vintage holiday
- vintage patriotism
From this collection
Antique Orange Mushroom Illustration with Concentric Ringed Cap and Transparent Background
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
Antique Pink Mushroom Illustration with Textured Cap and Transparent Background for Overlays
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
10 Torn Paper Cutouts – Colorful Retro PNG’s for Digital Collage Art
This pack features 10 torn paper scraps sourced from mid-century printed materials and digitized with care. With muted greens, dusty blues, a bold red, and graphic black print, each piece is isolated with a transparent background and retains its natural torn edge. Perfect for digital collages, zines, mood boards, and layered vintage compositions.
- Image Type(s): ZIP (with PNGs)
- blue paper scrap
- collage paper
- collage scraps
- colored paper PNG
- country
- cutout paper
- digital paper texture
- digital torn paper
- Ephemera PNG
- Flag
- green paper scrap
- grunge paper scrap
- junk journal ephemera
- Map
- paper ephemera
- paper overlay
- paper scrap
- Paper Texture
- printable scraps
- red paper scrap
- retro paper scrap
- ripped paper
- ripped paper PNG
- scrapbooking paper
- textured paper
- torn edge
- torn page PNG
- torn paper
- torn paper piece
- torn paper PNG
- vintage collage paper
- Vintage Paper
- zine collage
From this collection
Antique Long-Spined Spiral Shell Illustration – Vintage Sea Shell PNG
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
- antique shell
- beachcomber art
- bivalve shell
- coastal shell
- conch shell
- hand-colored shell
- historic shell
- marine biology
- marine shell
- mollusk shell
- Natural History
- ocean shell
- ocean specimen
- scientific illustration
- sea life illustration
- Sea Shell
- seashell PNG
- seashell study
- shell artwork
- shell chart
- shell cutout
- shell decor
- shell drawing
- shell engraving
- shell graphic
- shell illustration
- shell specimen
- shell taxonomy
- spiral shell
- Victorian shell
From this collection
Striped and Patterned Cone Shell Illustration with Transparent Background for Digital Projects
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
- antique shell
- bag
- beachcomber art
- bivalve shell
- coastal shell
- conch shell
- container
- hand-colored shell
- historic shell
- marine biology
- marine shell
- mollusk shell
- Natural History
- ocean shell
- ocean specimen
- scientific illustration
- sea life illustration
- Sea Shell
- seashell PNG
- seashell study
- shell artwork
- shell chart
- shell cutout
- shell decor
- shell drawing
- shell engraving
- shell graphic
- shell illustration
- shell specimen
- shell taxonomy
- spiral shell
- Victorian shell
From this collection
Spotted and Speckled Cone Shell Illustration with Transparent Background for Collage and Overlays
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
- antique shell
- beachcomber art
- bivalve shell
- coastal shell
- conch shell
- hand-colored shell
- historic shell
- marine biology
- marine shell
- mollusk shell
- Natural History
- ocean shell
- ocean specimen
- scientific illustration
- sea life illustration
- Sea Shell
- seashell PNG
- seashell study
- shell artwork
- shell chart
- shell cutout
- shell decor
- shell drawing
- shell engraving
- shell graphic
- shell illustration
- shell specimen
- shell taxonomy
- spiral shell
- Victorian shell
From this collection
Hermes with Winged Hair and Curly Locks in Greek Mythology
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
Apollo Playing a Large Ornate Lyre with Flowing Hair and Cloak
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
Detailed Profile Lineart of Thucydides with Classical Greek Features and Curly Hair
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
Mythological Line Art Depicting Ancient Greco-Roman Minotaur Head with Ornamental Details
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
Mythological Lineart Portrait of Diana with Laurel Crown, Star Symbol, and Arrow
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
Poseidon with Nautical Crown and Spiraled Shell, Symbolizing Sea Power in Greek Mythology
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
Greek Mythology Lineart of Bearded Male Deity with Laurel Crown in Profile View
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
Restored Vintage Color Illustration of Two Species of Woodpecker Perched on a Tree Trunk
- Resolution: 2607 × 7417
- Image Type(s): PNG
From this collection
Tree Owl Perched on Branch Line Art Illustration
Line art illustration of a tree owl perched on a branch, capturing its watchful eyes and feather details in a realistic and intricate style
- Resolution: 3745px x 3783px
- Image Type(s): PNG
Related Images
Vintage Eight-Pointed Heraldic Star Illustration
An isolated PNG image of a vintage eight-pointed star, often used in heraldic designs. The star is colored in alternating shades of gold and blue, symbolizing guidance, protection, and the heavens. This classic design element is ideal for use in projects that require historical or celestial themes.
- Resolution: 1255 x 1928
- Image Type(s): PNG
- Ancient
- Antique
- Art
- Artwork
- blue
- celestial
- classic
- coatofarms
- Compass
- Crest
- culture
- Decorative
- Design
- eightpointed
- Emblem
- five-spot
- Gold
- Graphic
- Heraldry
- historical
- History
- iconography
- identity
- illustration
- isolated
- legacy
- Machine
- mechanical device
- medieval
- Navigation
- nobility
- noble
- pinwheel
- PNG
- Royalty
- Shield
- Star
- style
- symbol
- tradition
- traditional
- vintage
- Wheel
Related Images
Antique Map of Turkey in Asia with Russian Trans-Caucasia
A richly detailed antique map from the 19th century depicting Turkey in Asia, including regions like Anatolia, Armenia, Kurdistan, Mesopotamia, and Syria, along with parts of Russian Trans-Caucasia. The map highlights historical borders and settlements.
- Resolution: 7273 x 5100
- Image Type(s): JPG
From this collection
Antique Map of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island
A historic map from the late 19th century illustrating the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island, featuring key cities, towns, and geographical landmarks.
- Resolution: 7238 x 5100
- Image Type(s): JPG
- Atlantic
- princeed ward island
- novascotia
- new brunswick
- settlements
- maritime
- regions
- topography
- cities
- colonial
- cartography
- provinces
- territory
- coastline
- towns
- 19th-century
- heritage
- classic
- illustration
- Road
- tourism
- country
- vintage
- representation
- Antique
- History
- Geography
- Atlas
- World
- Landscape
- Canada
- Globe
- Rivers
- Map
- Travel
- Ocean
- Borders
From this collection
1897 Map of Italy: Northern Regions
This 1897 map offers a comprehensive view of Northern Italy, detailing its cities, mountain ranges, and infrastructure. The map covers important regions such as Piedmont, Lombardy, and Veneto, highlighting the area’s rich history and development during the 19th century. It serves as a valuable historical document for understanding Italy’s northern landscape at the time.
- Resolution: 7152 x 5100
- Image Type(s): JPG
From this collection
Antique Map of Greece Highlighting Crete and Samos with Detailed Topography
This antique map of Greece highlights the regions of Crete and Samos, showing detailed topographical features such as mountains, rivers, and coastlines. The map provides a historical overview of the geopolitical boundaries, major cities, and maritime routes in the Aegean Sea during the late 19th century. It offers a valuable perspective on the landscape and political divisions of Greece and its islands at the time.
- Resolution: 7140 x 5100
- Image Type(s): JPG
From this collection
Vintage Map of Northern England and Wales Highlighting Major Cities and Geographic Features
A vintage map of Northern England and Wales, detailing major cities, towns, and geographical features. The map includes important transportation routes and provides a historical overview of the region during the period.
- Resolution: 7125 x 5100
- Image Type(s): JPG
From this collection
Vintage 1800s Map of Southern Africa Including South Africa, Namibia, and Surrounding Territories – Antique Map
A vintage map from the 1800s depicting Southern Africa, including South Africa, Namibia, and surrounding territories. This antique map highlights the region’s colonial borders, cities, and natural features, offering a detailed view of the area during the colonial period. Perfect for history and cartography enthusiasts.
- Resolution: 7103 x 5100
- Image Type(s): JPG
From this collection
Friarbird PNG Color Image
- License Info
- Resolution: 2844 × 3250
- Image Type(s): PNG
From this collection
Clipart of People Holding Signs – Advertising Vintage Line Art Illustrations
You’re looking at a super useful collection of vintage marketing/advertising design assets discovered within a late 1800s design book. These illustrations were extracted from their original backgrounds and converted to the following image formats: SVG (vector), EPS (vector), and, of course, PNG (300dpi raster image with transparent background).
- Image Type(s): EPS, SVG, PNG
Related Images
Antique Line Art Engraving Illustration – Mineralogy – Crystals – Precious Stones – No.9
- License Info
- Resolution: 639px x 850px
Vintage Line Art Mechanical Blueprint of a Car Illustration No.2
- License Info
- Resolution: 4418px x 2009px
Line Art Illustration of a Mammal’s Skeleton
- License Info
- Resolution: 3094px x 1514px
Vintage Decorative Line Art Illustration – Floral – Border – Frame – Pattern No.198
- License Info
- Resolution: 991px x 1000px
Related Images
Vintage Decorative Line Art Illustration – Floral – Border – Frame – Pattern No.23
- License Info
- Resolution: 1621px x 1637px
Related Images
Support the Library
Our supporters and members help us continue collecting and restoring these wonderful pieces of art for the modern creator
Unlock Everything and Become a Member!
While a lot of the library is available for free, some is kept behind closed dusty doors only to be accessed by our lovely members.