Collage Art Source Material

[NO PART OF IT]

I know there's a collage art thread here, but I don't see one for sources. 

I'm interested in finding more sources, not just online, but books that would be good to cut up/xerox/etc. 

I'm personally into collaging from faces, so I'd love to find a book of just old photographs of wrinkled peoples' faces. 

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Balor/SS1535]

I have recently been collecting a lot of collage materials from newspapers.  They are full of interesting pictures (often great action shots or dramatic overviews) of a wide range of subject matter.  They would be especially good for finding pictures of faces as well, which, if you are intending to make work that expresses social or political commentary, regularly include images of world leaders and criminals.

I have mostly been cutting out a variety of pictures of the Hong Kong protests.  The dynamic of police versus protesters is an idea that I find really interesting, and many of the pictures that are coming out bristle with the energy of the situation.

[Pigswill]

Nothing too specific, but there's a chain called Half Price Books that deals in used texts. Some locations sell magazine bundles for big discounts since they try to get rid of that stuff. Chains aside, a lot of second-hand bookstores tend to have basement collections that may have some surprises. I've come across a couple that have had boxes of LIFE Magazine issues which tend to have a lot of various pictures and are physically large compared to other periodicals.

If you're looking for old peoples' faces specifically, then you might have some luck at antique stores. Most of them usually have photo or picture collections left over from estates and the like.

[NO PART OF IT]

I've definitely plumbed these territories, although I've never found a store that would give me a stack of LIFE magazines for cheap, that's for sure! 
That said, I am not a big book store person.  I might see about the local places that aren't chains. 
Antique stores are good for small portraits, maybe, but I've had to spend a bit too much on good sized antique ghostly portraits on Ebay. 

[Soloman Tump]

Plenty of Oxfam charity bookshops across the UK. There's a Christian charity bookshop in a town near me that had some weird / older religious books

[HONOR_IS_KING!]

I used to be very into National Geographic but am currently focusing on full color books I scavenge from used book stores/magazines. Those are proving to have the best for me.

[Balor/SS1535]

Another idea is to go and look through local libraries near to where you live.  The ones in my area have small bookstores inside of them that sell used books and magazines at extremely low prices.  I know that I have found lots of great books in them.

[Pigswill]

Check out the used record stores around. They might have some stacks of old concert flyers that they'd be willing to give away for free. Or even get some ancient records with large photos on the covers, cut the covers up, and use the records for noise.

[NO PART OF IT]

Another idea is to go and look through local libraries near to where you live.  The ones in my area have small bookstores inside of them that sell used books and magazines at extremely low prices.  I know that I have found lots of great books in them.

That is a great idea!  I was actually at the library for a completely different reason yesterday, and was just too tired to go further by the time my little project was done. 

For this thread, I wonder if anyone can actually just recommend specific books, that would be good.  I know I had a few books on WWII that were great, and I made use of almost every page.  It was a generic title and I don't really remember specifics, no longer in my possession, but in general, I'm fascinated with the collage artist's ability to be a packrat/clutterbug and find all of this crazy source material in physical format.  I have had my share of luck, but I have no room in my apartment for shelves of books that I might cut up one day.  My books are already piled up everywhere, and they only have (mostly) text in them! 

Can anyone recommend picture/photo books prior to 1960 that I might be able to find online for cheap?   

[PTM Jim]

Why would you want to use something that someone else already has though?

[NO PART OF IT]

I'm just looking for books.   If there were a book of vintage, full size face portraits, I'd buy it and use it in a way that would probably stand apart from what other people would do with it.   But in general, I'm always up for discussing possible source material.  For instance, how the fuck all of these people get cheap porn mags!?  Obviously, they are not in America. 

[PTM Jim]

I'm just looking for books.   If there were a book of vintage, full size face portraits, I'd buy it and use it in a way that would probably stand apart from what other people would do with it.   But in general, I'm always up for discussing possible source material.  For instance, how the fuck all of these people get cheap porn mags!?  Obviously, they are not in America. 

Fair enough. Just keep checking thrift stores and such constantly. There is always stuff coming and going. Try science text books for some portraits, there are usually a bunch in them. Also, people tend to give up old school yearbooks where I'm at it seems. Probably not as many in Chicago. Which, actually, might not be the best place to look. Mom and pop suburban thrift stores are always better than in the/a city.

As far as porn mags, porn stores often sell back issues in bulk for cheap and ebay is super cheap.

[NO PART OF IT]

Thanks!  I spent a few hours copying photography books at the library the other day.  I have no had luck at thrift stores.  I know a few people who make a living re-selling books that they found in thrift stores, but that just isn't me.  I  had two friends who worked at porn stores, but those places didn't have back issues.  I might call around first. 

[Balor/SS1535]

Another place to look is recycling yards.  A family friend used to go and bring huge boxes of books on pretty much whatever subject matter you would be interested in - photo books of WW2, Soviet propaganda literature, birding guides, etc.  Plus, they are usually pretty beat up, so you never feel that bad about cutting them up.  I think that they just get sets of books from people who do not want them any more, so they can't cost that much (if anything)!

[Soloman Tump]

Another place to look is recycling yards.  A family friend used to go and bring huge boxes of books on pretty much whatever subject matter you would be interested in - photo books of WW2, Soviet propaganda literature, birding guides, etc.  Plus, they are usually pretty beat up, so you never feel that bad about cutting them up.  I think that they just get sets of books from people who do not want them any more, so they can't cost that much (if anything)!

Yes, good call.

There is a scrappage / reclaim yard near us that often has house clearance stuff for sale.  I have found record collections, tape players, an old casio keyboard, and indeed plenty of books.  A goldmine.