Over a million images from the British Library are free in the public domain

Over the last few years the British Library, has digitised books, manuscripts, and all manner of printed media from their collection. They have compiled over a million images which are released in the public domain so you can use them. Anyone who does collage will enjoy their Flickr Commons stream.

They state here on British Library’s site that

We have released over a million images onto Flickr Commons for anyone to use, remix and repurpose. These images were taken from the pages of 17th, 18th and 19th century books digitised by Microsoft who then generously gifted the scanned images to us, allowing us to release them back into the Public Domain.

I find browsing the albums the easiest way of seeing and discovering what they have available. This amazing resource is fun browse. There are stacks of material that can be used in a collages or be inspiration for designs. Browsing is rewarding but be aware you will get lost as there is a lot to look at!

If you use these images you do need to credit the source. All you need to add is ‘From the archive of the British Library’ Below are some samples from their site.

From The Reminiscences and Recollections of Captain Gronow – caption: ‘The first quadrille at Almack’s’ from the archive of the British Library

The BL King’s Topographical Collection: Seventy Eight Studies from Nature, from the archive of the British Library

The BL King’s Topographical Collection: “Hodierni Belli Theatrum ac Sedes Rhenus, from the archive of the British Library

Gospels of St Luke and St John – caption: Beginning of the Gospel of St John, with initials ‘I’ and ‘N’, and the borders, decorated with an interlace pattern. From the archive of the British Library

The costume of Yorkshire- caption: ‘Spinning and carding wool’ from the archive of the British Library

There are so many images online that I am sure no one person could look at them all. So enjoy the find!