Coleccion Cartonera
SPEC.RARE.0333
Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections
12.39 Cubic feet
circa 2003-2024
The creation of cartonera books is a political, social, and artistic movement in self-publishing that started in Argentina in 2003 and then spread throughout Latin America, Europe, and Africa. The name is derived from the Spanish word for “cardboard” which is the material most used when making cartonera books. The Coleccion Cartonera contains cartonera books, all of which were self published either by individual creators or independent publishing houses. Also included in the collection are several poster size cartoneras. All items are in Spanish. Materials are dated circa 2003-2024.
(15) oversize folders; (7) flat boxes; (5) card boxes; (2) 2.5" letter document boxes; (2) 5" letter document boxes
Spanish
Ohio State University. Libraries. Rare Books and Manuscripts Library
Arrangement of Materials
The Coleccion Cartonera is arranged in 10 topical series, with further arrangement within each series chronologically by publication date of the cartoneras. Creators or publishers, when known, are indicated in parentheses after the title of the cartonera.
[Series 1: Literature, Comics, Essays, and Poems](ref1)
[Series 2: Emiliano Zapata](ref5)
[Series 3: Media](ref9)
[Series 4: Women's Studies](ref12)
[Series 5: Indigenous Latin America](ref15)
[Series 6: Popular Culinary Traditions](ref31)
[Series 7: Covid-19](ref19)
[Series 8: Political and Social Movements](ref22)
[Series 9: 2017 Earthquake](ref25)
[Series 10: Climate Change and Conservation ](ref27)
Acquisitions Information
Accession No. RARE.2024.0052: Purchased, 2021 June; Accession No. RARE.2024.0053: Purchased, 2021 June; Accesssion No. RARE.2024.0054: Purchased, 2021 September; RARE.2024.0055: Purchased, 2022 March; Accession No. RARE.2024.0056: Purchased, 2022 March; Accession No. RARE.2024.0057: Purchased, 2022 November; Accession No. RARE.2025.0160: Purchased, 2025 January
Preferred Citation
[identification of item], Coleccion Cartonera, SPEC.RARE.0333, Rare Books and Manuscripts Library, Ohio State University
Access to Materials
Materials in this collection are available for use, but may be used in the Thompson Library Special Collections reading room only.
Use of Materials
Materials in this collection may be protected by copyright, and are made available for research and educational purposes. In general, the OSU Libraries do not own the copyright for materials from our collections and cannot grant copyright permissions for these materials. The user is responsible for making a final determination of copyright status. If copyright protection applies, permission must be obtained from the copyright holder to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exceptions to the law. Works in the public domain are not protected by copyright and do not require permission to use.
Processing Information
Processed by: Casey Blackmore, 2024 August; Allison McPherson, 2025 August; Finding aid written by: Casey Blackmore, 2024 August.
Historical Note
The creation of cartonera books is a political, social, and artistic movement in self-publishing that started in Argentina in 2003 and then spread throughout Latin America, Europe, and Africa. The name is derived from the Spanish word for “cardboard” which is the material most used when making cartonera books. Cartonera creators often repurpose salvaged materials like cardboard, old magazines, and found objects in nature to create their books. The books are also often hand painted with original artwork.
Beyond selling affordable books about important topics, cartonera publishers promote literacy and the involvement of community in the book creation process. Cartonera books also cover a wide range of topics including feminism, social justice movements, climate change, popular culture, and Latin American and indigenous peoples history.
Scope and Contents
The Coleccion Cartonera contains cartonera books, all of which were self published either by individual creators or independent publishing houses. Topics covered in the cartoneras include literature reviews, fiction, essays on popular culture, women's studies, indigenous Latin America, culinary traditions, the Covid-19 pandemic, social movements, climate change, and the 2017 earthquake in Puebla, Mexico. Also included in the collection are several poster size cartoneras. All items are in Spanish. Materials are dated circa 2003-2024.
Bardot, Brigitte
Zapata, Emiliano, 1879-1919
Artists' books
Artists' books (books)
Bookbinding (process)
Cartonera books--Latin America--21st century
Climate change--Latin America--21st century
COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020- --Latin America--Personal narratives
Earthquake damage--Mexico--Mexico City--21st century
Fanzines
Food habits--Latin America--21st century
Indigenous people--Latin America--21st century
Literature--Latin America--21st century
Media and culture--Latin America-21st century
Political activists--Latin America--21st century
Rocato
Self publishing--Latin America--21st century
Trash art--Latin America--21s century
Women's studies--Latin America--21st century
Zines--Latin America--21st century
Literature, Comics, Essays, and Poems
Series 1
circa 2003-2023
Scope and Contents
Series 1: Literature, Comics, Essays, and Poems, dated circa 2003-2023, contains cartonera books and posters covering topics including personal essays, short stories, comics and art, and poetry.
"La última galleta" poster (Erika Chalán)"
1
circa 2003
"Los buenos modales" poster (Erika Chalán)
2
circa 2003
"Orden y limpieza" poster (Erika Chalán)
3
circa 2003
"Una tacita de café" poster (Erika Chalán)
4
circa 2003
"Un día cualquiera" poster (Erika Chalán)
5
circa 2003
"Un monstro dentro de mi" poster (Erika Chalán)
6
circa 2003
"Bolsas y otros" (Ricardo Zelarayan)
1
1
2003
"habra que poner la luz" (damian rios)
1
2
2003
"Noches vacias" (Washington Cucurto)
11
1
2003
"poemas eroticos" (gonzalo millan)
1
3
2003
"Pornosonetos" (Ramon Paz)
1
4
2003
"Huacho y pochocha" (Enrique Lihn)
11
2
2004
"La musiquilla de las pobres esferas" (Enrique Lihn)
1
5
2004
"Poesia de paso" (Enrique Lihn)
1
6
2004
"por fuerza mayor" (Enrique Lihn)
1
7
2004
"El necio sueño de una vida feliz" (Lo Dice la polla records)
9
1
2005
"Fogwill: llamado por los malos poetas" (Lo Cristalino)
1
8
2005
"La maquina de hacer paracuayiyos" (Washington Cucurto)
11
3
2005
"La maquina de hacer paracuayiyos" alternate cover art (Washington Cucurto)
1
9
2005
"Mil gotas" (Cesar Aira)
1
10
2005
"La aparicion de la virgen" (Enrique Lihn)
5
1
2006
"Pedro lemebel" (Elosía cartonero)
2
1
2010
"Experiencia Liberarte" (Ruta y Leyenda)
2
2
2013
"Musica" fotozine (Rodrigo Selles Ferrés)
9
2
2015-2017
"Actividades del Centro de Estudios Territoriales" (Rodrigo Selles Ferrés)
6
1
2015-2020
"Trabajo" fotozine (Rodrigo Selles Ferrés)
9
3
2015-2020
"Casa Con Diez Pinos" (Eloísa Cartoneras)
2
3
2016
"Homenaje" fotozine (Rodrigo Selles Ferrés)
9
4
2016-2021
"Dada sonrea" (zerocentos publicaciones)
2
4
2017
"Busco a la senñra María" (Erika Chalán)
9
5
2018
"Detalles refinados" poster (Erika Chalán)
7
2018
"Pichilemu II" fotozine (Rodrigo Selles Ferrés)
9
6
2018
"Pichilemu II" fotozine with alternate cover art (Rodrigo Selles Ferrés)
9
7
2018
"1968: Extranamos tus revueltas, Jose"(Cascarón artesanal)
3
1
2018
"1968: Extranamos tus revueltas, Jose" with alternate cover art (Cascarón artesanal)
13
1
2018
"Cartoneras es Camino" (Pensaré Cartoneras)
2
5
2019
"Creando futuro" (La Cartonera)
2
6
2019
"Cuadernillo Mistraliano" (Ruta y Leyenda)
2
7
2019
"El Gran Circo de Pulgas" (Daniela Besa)
12
1
2019
"Gigantes del Jardín y otros cuentos" (Erika Chalán Montoya)
6
2
2019
"Ha ilegado carta" (Ruta y Leyenda)
2
8
2019
"La Nada" (Jorge Garibaldi)
2
9
2019
"marihuana" (Rocato)
5
2
2019
"Cantos a afródita" (Gilda Revueltas)
13
2
2020
"Copi: la guerra de las mariquitas" (Copia N)
6
3
2020
"La Comarca del Jazmín" (Oscar Castro Zúñiga)
12
2
2020
"La Vida Simplemente" (Oscar Castro Zúñiga)
7
1
2020
"Los perros" (Cascarón Artesanal Editorial)
13
3
2020
"Mermelada de rosasa" (Erika Chalan M. and Karen Penaloza)
13
4
2020
"1968: Los libros que leíamos" (Rocato)
3
6
2020
"PUF!" issue 8
3
3
2020
"PUF!" issue 15
3
4
2020
"PUF!" issue 16
3
5
2020
"Times New Roman" (Patricia Rivas)
7
2
2020
"Concurso crispin Portuga; cuentos ganadores" (Yerba Mala Cartonera)
14
1
2021
"Luis Buñuel en Mexíco" (Rocato)
13
5
2021
"Shunning muerte silenciosa" (Rodrigo Selles Ferrés)
3
7
2021
"Tierra de hojas" (Jordi Lloret Pacheco)
8
1
2021
"Un libro prohibido y peligroso: los hijos de sanchez" (Rocato)
3
6
2021
“Xochicuicameh nepapan los poemas diversos” (Jose Carlos Monroy Rodriguez)
14
2
2021
“Voces de la ciudad (y campo) Antologia” (La Cartonera)
14
3
2022
“Androginia” (Rocoto Bablot)
14
4
2023
Emiliano Zapata
Series 2
2019-2021
Scope and Contents
Series 2: Emiliano Zapata, dated 2019 to 2021, containers cartoneras written about Emiliano Zapata, a Mexican revolutionary that was one of the main figureheads of the Mexican Revolution of 1910 to 1920. Topics covered further in this series are critiques of Hollywood depictions of Zapata and personal essays about Zapata's influence on the creator's life.
"Emilliano Zapata: Made in Hollywood" (Rocato)
13
6
2019
"Emiliano Zapata: Made in Hollywood" with alternate cover art (Rocato)
13
7
2019
"Zapata: predestinación y transcendencia" (Victor Hugo Sánchez Reséndiz)
12
3
2019
"¿Te acuerdas del futuro, Emiliano?" (Victor Hugo Sánchez Reséndiz)
4
1
2021
Media
Series 3
2017-2024
Scope and Contents
Series 3: Media, dated 2017-2024, contains cartonera books that cover a variety of topics within the media. Further topics inlcude film festival coverage and reviews, essays on popular Mexican rock music, and Chilean poet Teresa Wilems Montt.
"Conmemoración detenidos" poster (Rodrigo Selles Ferrés)
8
2017
"Funeral villa francia" poster (Rodrigo Selles Ferrés)
9
2017
"1968: el cine que miramos" (Rocato)
4
2
2017
"Vía crucis villa Francia" poster (Rodrigo Selles Ferrés)
10
2017
"Persona con discapacidad en ma" poster
11
2018
"La culpa es de Brigitte Bardot" (Rocato)
11
3
2019
"Rock mexicano:numeralia:100 rolas +5" (Cascarón artesanal)
11
5
2019
"Culturizar al pueblo" (Oscar Castro Zúñiga)
12
3
2020
"No apta para senoritas: La capsula del tiempo de Teresa Wilms Montt" (Erika Chalán)
8
2
2020
"El evidente: Principio del fin" (Centro de estudios territriales)
1
14
2021
"El Quiltro: Del pan al verso" (Centro de estudios territriales)
1
12
2021
"El Recreo" (Centro de estudios territriales)
1
11
2021
"Sinfonia de carton" (Centro de estudios territriales)
2
10
2021
"Ventana al evidente: Principio del fin" (Centro de estudios territriales)
1
13
2021
"Hibridio: La lira popular del siglo 21" poster (Canto por la Libertad)
12
2021 April 22
“Cine de luchadores” (Rocoto Bablot)
14
5
2022
“Diccionario musical Latinoamericano” (Cascaron Artesanal Editorial)
14
6
2022
“Cine del mundo hecho en Puebla” (Cascaron Artesanal Editorial)
14
7
2023
“La ciudad de Mexico en el cine” (Cascaron Artesanal)
14
8
2023
“Morelos en el cine mundial” (Cascaron Artesanal Editorial)
14
9
2023
“A proposito de aboso y violacion en el cine” (Cascaron Artesanal Editorial)
15
1
2024
Women's Studies
Series 4
2017-2024
Scope and Contents
Series 4: Women's Studies, dated 2017-2024, contains cartoneras discussing issues related to women's political and social histories.
"Mujer de Juan López" poster (Rodrigo Selles Ferrés)
13
2017
"¡Renuncio!" (Arte Libro)
11
6
2018
"Tiempo Y Libertad" (Cárcel "La Gonzalina")
11
7
2018
"El clitoris, en busca de tiempo perdido" (Cascarón artesanal)
12
5
2019
"Transmutación (Arte Libro)
11
8
2019
"Mujeres en rebeldía" (Rocato)
4
4
2020
"De marchas y poemas feministas" (Rocato)
4
3
2021
"I festival de cine: Quebrada de los Romeros"
2
11
2021
"La casa bonita" (Cuento E. Chalán)
10
1
2021
"Mujeres insumisas" (Rocato)
3
8
2021
“2023 mujered mexicanas en las artes” (Cascaron Artesanal)
15
2
2022-2023
“Sor Juana, la peor o la major de todas” (Cascaron Artesanal Editorial)
15
3
2023
"La falocracia" (Cascaron Artesanal)
15
4
2023
“2025 Las deportistas: hazanas y mas” (Cascaron Artesanal)
15
5
2024
Indigenous Latin America
Series 5
2012-2022
Scope and Contents
Series 5: Indigenous Latin America, dated 2012-2022, contains cartonera books exploring issues found in the Indigenous Latin American community. Other topics written about include indigenous rights, water and conservation issues found in indigenous communities, and a collection of short stories compiled by Kosamalotlahtol, one the first book fairs conducted in indigenous commuities.
"Trufken" (Luna de Cenzias)
2
12
2012
"Derecho indígenas" poster (Rodrigo Selles Ferrés)
14
2014
"Poesía indígena: edición bilingüe" (Ediciones Clandestino)
4
5
2016
"Colores de libertad: hasta que la dignidad se haga costumbre" (Miguel Pulido Jiménez)
4
6
2019
"María de los hongos" (Cascarón artesanal)
4
7
2019
"María de los hongos" alternate cover art (Cascarón artesanal)
12
6
2019
"Nahuales y Tonales" (Rosario García Crespo)
11
10
2019
"Cosmovión del agua Rarámuri y Wixárica" (Cascarón artesanal)
4
8
2020
"Cosmovión del agua Rarámuri y Wixárica" alternate cover (Cascarón artesanal)
5
3
2020
"Kosamalotlahtol: Acroiris de la palabra" vol. VII (La Cartonera)
11
11
2020
“Los muertos estan vivos” (Cascaron Artesanal)
15
6
2022
Popular Culinary Traditions
Series 6
2016-2021
Scope and Contents
Series 6: Popular Culinary Traditions, dated 2016-2021, includes cartonera books that cover food and drink histories related to Latin America and compilations of recipes.
"De los tacos: callejeros al gourmet" (Cascarón artesanal)
11
12
2016
"El pulque" (Rocato)
5
4
2020
"Otra mirada al pulque" (Marisa J. Valadez Montes)
5
5
2020
"Otra mirada al pulque" alternate cover art (Marisa J. Valadez Montes)
5
6
2020
"50 plantas mexicans" (Cascarón artesanal editorial)
5
7
2021
"El mezcal" (Rocato)
5
8
2021
Covid-19
Series 7
2020
Scope and Contents
Series 7: Covid-19, dated 2020, contains cartonera books about the 2020 quaratine during the Covid-19 pandemic and how the quarantine influenced creative endeavors during that time.
"Contagio Cartonero: Creación en tiempo de pandemia" (La Cartonera)
11
13
2020
"Cuarentena" (Juan Machín)
11
14
2020
Social and Political Movements
Series 8
circa 2003-2024
Scope and Contents
Series 8: Social and Political Movements, dated circa 2003-2024, contains cartoneras that cover social and political movements found in Latin America including critiques of capitalism, terroritorial rights, protests, and worker's rights.
"Patrimono de al resistencia"
9
8
circa 2003
"Ayotzinapa" (Pensare Cartoneras)
9
9
2014 October 22
"Metro" photo zine (Rodrigo Selles Ferrés)
9
10
2015
"Doscusificeons de Rodrigo Selles en su dasco por fanzine" (Rodrigo Selles Ferrés)
9
11
2015-2017
"Manifesciones" fotozine (Rodrigo Selles Ferrés)
9
12
2015-2017
"Cronologias 1968" (Rocato)
5
9
2018
"Mala Yerba: Pichilemu despierta"
9
13
2019 October 19
"Estallido social en Chile" (Rodrigo Selles Ferrés)
9
14
2019 November 29
"Espejo Roto" (Rodrigo Selles Ferrés)
5
10
2020
"Politica Y Territorio" (Rodrigo Selles Ferrés)
5
11
2020
"Escucho la Muerte roncando por debajo del mundo" (Rodrigo Selles Ferrés)
5
12
2020 July
"Crono logia de un estallido" (Rodrigo Duran Huidoboro)
12
7
2021
"1967 ano crucial y olvidado" (Rocato)
5
13
2021
"Que arda todo (y empecmos de nuevo) (Rodrigo Duran Huidoboro)
12
8
2021
"30 un numero parea recordar" (Rodrigo Duran Huidoboro)
12
9
2021
“Corridos Narcotraficantes censura” (Cascaron Artesanal)
15
7
2024
“Migrants Mexico” (Cascaron Artesanal Editorial)
16
1
2024
2017 Earthquake
Series 9
2019
Scope and Contents
Series 9: 2017 Earthquake, dated 2019, contains a cartonera book about the 2017 Puebla earthquake that occured in the city of Puebla, Mexico.
"Una mirada tochikahuallis" (La Cartonera)
11
15
2019
Climate Change and Conservation
Series 10
2017-2024
Scope and Contents
Series 10: Climate Change and Conservation, dated 2017-2024, contains cartonera books exploring themes of climate change and conservation efforts in Latin America.
"Niños jugando con basura" poster (Rodrigo Selles Ferrés)
15
2017
"Blancanieves del Valle del Cachapoal" (Erika Chalán)
11
16
2019
"La Pequena Lira" (Pulmari Ediciones)
13
8
2019
"Sublime" (Ruta y Leyenda ediciones)
13
9
2021
"Creando futuro el agua"
16
2
2022
“Calentamiento global y efecto invernadero en Mexica y el mundo” (Cascaron Artesanal Editorial)
16
3
2024
“El dilemma de la basura en Mexico” (Cascaron Artesanal)
16
4
2024