Here you can buy an interesting DVD with lots of samples.

Start with libraries; New York is full of them. IIRC correctly the ATF collection ended up in the Columbia U. library and I’m sure that there’s plenty more in the holdings of the three big design schools. If you’re looking for a specific hard-to-find book email H&FJ to see if they have a copy in their library that you can look at.

As for purchasing, your best bet is to just search Amazon, Abebook, Alibris, and Ebay. You might have to do some Google searches to track down the correct names first. Finding specimens in stores isn’t easy; the last time I was trying to find them in New York the best lead I got was a phone number for an appointment-only antiquarian vendor.

Check out Oak Knoll Books - they always have some specimen books for sale.

When you say “pre-digital,” do you mean metal type or phototype also?

powers

When looking for old books one of my favorite sources is abe.com.

You should also check with Timothy Hawley; he sells a lot of type-related books.

Timothy Hawley Books
915 S. Third St
Louisville, KY 40203
502-451-3021

Hope this is helpful. Good luck.