Whether or not you are antiquarian book collector, a seller of first edition books, a novice vintage book buyer or simply someone who has inherited a book from the past, it is critical that you are armed with some basic knowledge about the care and maintenance of old books so that you can ensure they become even older!
The most delicate part of a books construction is the joint or hinge, which not only takes the load of the opened cover, but also is the thinnest and least reinforced part of the leather. Joints in particular typically suffer from drying; the first symptoms are usually small areas of friable and usually white damage. While the use of leather dressings (neatsfoot oil, lanolin, etc.) has been widespread for many years, the conservation community now recommends that it be avoided in most cases. Research and experience have shown that leather dressings can have some undesirable side effects such as discoloration, staining, and stickiness of the leather, wicking of oil into adjoining materials including text blocks, and increased danger of mold growth on treated materials. Leather dressing can be appropriate for some objects, but it should be used very sparingly. The solution to prevent dryness in books is to be proactive in providing an environment that has moderate and controllable temperature and humidity. Ideally, the environment should have very small, if any swings in temperature or humidity and have good air circulation with temperatures in the range of 65-72潞F and humidity between 45-55%.
While dryness can be very problematic for antiquarian books, problems with excessive humidity are usually more evident, causing dampstained fore-edges, which can lead to fungal problems. If necessary, the use of a humidifier or de-humidifier, which ever your case may be, is recommended in order to maintain the desired humidity level. As a rule of thumb, do not store books in basements, attics, or garages and avoid shelving books over radiators, floor heaters, or near fireplaces. The least understood enemy of books is light. Not only does over-bright natural light fade books, but it also accelerates the drying process, which can be minimized by ultra-violet resistant films applied to windows, or by keeping curtains closed on bright days. When shelving books avoid leaving them at an angle, which can twist the bindings more-or-less permanently. Some basics to keep in mind include closing drapes, lowering blinds and shades, elimination of unnecessary light and the addition of a UV filtering device such as a fluorescent tube sleeve, window film, or UF Plexiglas. Unfortunately, the very act of handling and displayed a book can be the most damaging. When it comes to handling books, always support the front cover when you open it, and never leave it dangling, supported by its own weight. Never pull a book off a shelf by putting a finger on the headcap at the top of the spine. For the most part, sweaty hands do not harm most leather bindings, but it is always a good practice to wash your hands prior to the handling any book, especially those from the nineteenth century with cloth bindings and certainly any twentieth century dust-jacketed books. If the covers come off, or pages become loose, do not attempt a repair yourself without proper training. Nearly all sorts of tape and many types of glue are inimical to books, and it is far better to preserve a book in pieces for restoration later than to bodge a repair, no matter how well meaning. Never open a book wide enough to break the spine and do not turn down the corner of a page to mark a reading place. Finally, the manner in which a book is shelved is critical to its lifespan. Books should be shelved upright on their ends, similar sizes together. Avoid packing books too closely on the shelves as they might stick together. Adversely, do not shelve books loosely, allowing them movement on the shelf. Use bookends if necessary to support volumes in shelves that are less than full. Remember that some bookshelves are more ornamental than practical, so make sure shelves free from rough and damaged areas that can snag a books jacket. So while there is nothing earth shattering contained in this Guide, following the simple rules provided here can dramatically increase the lifespan of your antiquarian book, ensuring its impact on future generations and protecting your investment. For further information on the care and maintenance of antiquarian books, visit the web sites for both the International Book Collectors Association and the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America. Happy Collecting!
submitted by Dean A. Black (mrdeanablack) Dean鈥檚 extensive experience in both collecting and appraising enhance his skills as a Certified eBay Trading Assistant and eBay PowerSeller. He is the Managing Partner of IndyeBay, a full service consignment listing service, which provides both traditional and Internet based solutions for the sale of top quality consigned merchandise, much of which can been seen in his eBay Store 鈥?Top Quality Consignments Limited.
Orignal From: Practical Guide to Maintaining Antique / Vintage Books
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