Open Library
| August 05, 2008

This site collects and displays scanned pdfs of (3.5 million partial and 200,000 complete) old books, may from university labrary collections. There's a lot to wade through, but I was able to find some early edition of some classics (like Edward Johnston's Writing, Illuminating & Lettering) and some early 20th century books on design and ornament. There's also some of those much-coveted type specimens (see the ATF pages above)! The resolution is so-so, and the reproduction of photographic plates leaves much to be desired—but the black-and-white/solid ink stuff displays just fine, and most texts are searchable (same as Google Books).

Link:  The Open Library

Tags:  book design, books, typography

Topic: Book Design