How To Care For 'Rare' Books?

[Michael Colton]

This seems like an easily Googled question, but I have found many conflicting answers on the internet. Mylar, not mylar, only certain types of mylar, and just a whole slew of varying advice.

Does anyone here have any experience in keeping rare books safe?

And by rare, I am speaking of first edition, first printing hardcovers from the 80s in near fine condition. Not something notably valuable like a first edition Dracula. But nonetheless it is important to me and I would like to keep it in its current condition for at least my lifetime.

Right now, the book in question is wrapped in packing paper, with a wrap of bubble wrap outside of that, on an enclosed shelf about three feet off of the ground to avoid any moisture.

 

[JoanDrake]

This may be absolutely wrong as well as silly but have you ever considered one of those vacuum baggers like they use for preserving foods? They preserve things like the Declaration of Independence by putting then in inert gases, (argon, I think) but I can't help thinking a vacuum would do just as well.


No, I'm NOT suggesting you freeze it then, wiseass (The smilies must be broke, this is a brand new laptop and they still won't work)


And then, of course, keep it in darkness. The main thing that really deteriorates paper after moisture is light. Remembering, however, that some molds thrive in darkness but only if they have the right temperature. I think that means keep them slightly cool, not freezing but not hot, but you should look that up.


A vacuum sealed baggie in a waterproof box in your wine cellar?


As I understand it, however, some paper will still yellow as it ages no matter what

 

[Michael Colton]

This may be absolutely wrong as well as silly but have you ever considered one of those vacuum baggers like they use for preserving foods? They preserve things like the Declaration of Independence by putting then in inert gases, (argon, I think) but I can't help thinking a vacuum would do just as well.


No, I'm NOT suggesting you freeze it then, wiseass (The smilies must be broke, this is a brand new laptop and they still won't work)


And then, of course, keep it in darkness. The main thing that really deteriorates paper after moisture is light.

I had not thought of that. Do those bags place pressure on the contents in any way that might cause longterm stress on edges? I have never used one for anything, I just see them on television where it looks like clothing and such gets all smooshed.

Random side-note: freezing a book is actually a good way to kill bugs that have decided the glue in the binding would make a good home.

 

[JoanDrake]

I had not thought of that. Do those bags place pressure on the contents in any way that might cause longterm stress on edges? I have never used one for anything, I just see them on television where it looks like clothing and such gets all smooshed.

Random side-note: freezing a book is actually a good way to kill bugs that have decided the glue in the binding would make a good home.

Dunno, maybe that's why they don't use it on the Declaration.


You could put the book in a box and then put the box in the baggie.


Or wait, I've got it, put them in with your sweaters for protection. If it's good enough for Cashmere and silk halters... besides, you could reread all your favorites every season.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

I'm no expert but I have a pretty decent collection of books. Having said that, I don't believe in them being a dead thing in a cupboard, so mine are used and read (within reason, there are a couple that tend not to be - kid-skin stains badly, for instance and I have a collected poems instead I can raid.)

The key damagers are light and moisture.

I keep mine in a glass-fronted cupboard away from direct sunlight. I'm not sure about bubble wrap - I'd be worried if there was any moisture it could be held within it - and tend to use brown paper for any that need to be kept covered. That's it, really, and in about 20 years of book keeping none have degraded with this treatment.

 

[Ogma]

If you want, you can get acid free paper and archival boxes (you can get them from Brodarts and similar stores), though a lot of advice is in favour of storing them spine up. I don't know about keeping them in vacuum - you don't want to desiccate your books either - but I have no direct experience of it either. Keep your treasured books away from other books, particularly ones with pure quality paper. In my experience, mildew and mold will absolutely ruin your collection once it takes hold.

 

[Michael Colton]

Thank you for the advice, folks. I think I might look into an archival box. I forgot those existed rather than a mylar kit (which kind of intimidate me). Part of my concern is that my bookshelves are not very good quality themselves and I do not trust their long-term wear on books.

And @springs, I agree that books should be read which is why any book that I want to keep in this condition I purchase another edition for reading purposes. This particular one, I have about half a dozen different editions and printings.

 

[Ray McCarthy]

Dry, cool, dark.
Not in contact with plastic unless you know what is in the plastic. Some leak nasty chemicals.

Or wait, I've got it, put them in with your sweaters for protection. If it's good enough for Cashmere and silk halters... besides, you could reread all your favorites every season.

I'm sure haven't got any Cashmere or silk halters. I used to have a comfy couple of silk shirts. My sweaters might already have bugs

Stuff here grows black mould with very little encouragement. A South African friend said he never saw green stuff grow on a Land-rover or upwards rain before coming to Ireland.

Emerald Isle.

I make sure nothing is against an outer wall!

 

[farntfar]

For dryness can't you get hold of those little silica gel bags that you often find in the box with new electrical equipment from some DIY or art shops?
At the worst, some of the newer type of crystal cat litter in a cloth bag would do the same thing. (Not very pretty perhaps, but if you don't write "cat litter" on it, who's to know?

 

[Michael Colton]

For dryness can't you get hold of those little silica gel bags that you often find in the box with new electrical equipment from some DIY or art shops?
At the worst, some of the newer type of crystal cat litter in a cloth bag would do the same thing. (Not very pretty perhaps, but if you don't write "cat litter" on it, who's to know?

I am not sure if those have any chemicals that may be harmful to books.

Thank you for all the advice everyone - can anyone think of a downside to archival boxes? That seems like the simplest method at the moment. Carefully clean the book then place it in an archival box.

 

[farntfar]

You may well be right about the chemicals. I hadn't thought.

 

[steelyglint]

A sealed zip-lock bag will sweat the moisture out of the paper and it will eventually fall into dust. It requires some moisture in it to stay intact.

Brodart is good for dust wrapper protectors.

Take a look at a site called BookThink - many of the real experts from the eBay community went there when eBay spoiled things for the BSB (Booksellers Board). And they are happy to answer such questions.

BookThink.com • Index page

.

 

[Michael Colton]

A sealed zip-lock bag will sweat the moisture out of the paper and it will eventually fall into dust. It requires some moisture in it to stay intact.

Brodart is good for dust wrapper protectors.

Take a look at a site called BookThink - many of the real experts from the eBay community went there when eBay spoiled things for the BSB (Booksellers Board). And they are happy to answer such questions.

BookThink.com • Index page

.

The link is much appreciated. Besides additional feedback on this topic, I also have another place to keep an eye out for different editions and printings.

 

[Rafellin]

Basics: dry and dark. Only handle with clean, dry hands.

I have a wooden bookcase with a hinged door that keeps what remains of my early stuff (1900-1960) in a sunless, dry environment. This prevents most of the ravages of time.

Post 1970 dust jackets are pretty good at maintaining their contents, and that is where you should focus you attention. Wrap the DJ and the book within will last.

I presume the books you wish to keep were bought new by yourself, so cover cleaning and label/sticker removal details are not required.

If you want, I can check with my book specialist for the exact properties of the sheet he uses to protect the covers.

 

[Michael Colton]

Basics: dry and dark. Only handle with clean, dry hands.

I have a wooden bookcase with a hinged door that keeps what remains of my early stuff (1900-1960) in a sunless, dry environment. This prevents most of the ravages of time.

Post 1970 dust jackets are pretty good at maintaining their contents, and that is where you should focus you attention. Wrap the DJ and the book within will last.

I presume the books you wish to keep were bought new by yourself, so cover cleaning and label/sticker removal details are not required.

If you want, I can check with my book specialist for the exact properties of the sheet he uses to protect the covers.

They were not purchased new by myself, so a good cleaning is certainly in order. As I said earlier, these are not 'rare' in the sense of exceedingly valuable monetarily. I have nothing worth more than a couple hundred USD.

And that would be lovely if you could check. There are so many different types of protective covers that I am a bit unsure as to what is appropriate. When doing some internet searches, I saw several comments by random folks that mentioned particular covers or wrapping that advertise suitability far more than they actually have so it made me a bit confused.

 

[tinkerdan]

I have no idea:
Heres a list of factors that cause deterioration

http://orissa.gov.in/e-magazine/journal/jounalvol1/pdf/orhj-14.pdf

And some methods library's use to preserve the books.

The worst problem I've had with older books is the deterioration of the glue holding the pages together.

 

[steelyglint]

The link is much appreciated. Besides additional feedback on this topic, I also have another place to keep an eye out for different editions and printings.

Just a little added advice: fading is a major problem with modern books (1700 to date). The colour most prone to fading is red. And any fading reduces the collectable value by 50% or more.

My Iain Banks shelves have all but one first edition with the spines facing outwards. The odd one is 'Feersum Endjinn' which has a predominantly red wrapper, so the page block faces out. And I've lived with my curtains closed for the last 7 years to avoid any chance of such a disaster.

Observer's book collectors are only too well acquainted with the ease of fading red - every Observer's book has 'Observer's' on the spine in bright red. The value of collectable copies varies massively depending on the degree or lack of fading to that red.

I am, by profession, a bookseller. But my 'expertise' is as nothing compared with several on the BookThink forum. They cover everything from 1,000+ year old antiquities right up to ultra-modern editions.

.

 

[steelyglint]

I have no idea:
Heres a list of factors that cause deterioration

http://orissa.gov.in/e-magazine/journal/jounalvol1/pdf/orhj-14.pdf

And some methods library's use to preserve the books.

The worst problem I've had with older books is the deterioration of the glue holding the pages together.

It is a solid belief, here in the UK, that the worst possible people to trust with books are libraries and librarians.

On a visit to my local library I pointed out that the first edition copy of K.S. Robinson's 'Red Mars' currently had a market value of around £150. She said, "Oooh, really?" and removed it from the shelf.

On my next visit it was back on the shelf. The book had been rebound in a dreadful and cheap library binding, and the dust wrapper had been trimmed down and laminated onto the boards. Its collectable value had thus been reduced by all £150. It was worth nothing.

Libraries and librarians are vandalizing ruiners of books.

.

 

[Michael Colton]

Just a little added advice: fading is a major problem with modern books (1700 to date). The colour most prone to fading is red. And any fading reduces the collectable value by 50% or more.

My Iain Banks shelves have all but one first edition with the spines facing outwards. The odd one is 'Feersum Endjinn' which has a predominantly red wrapper, so the page block faces out. And I've lived with my curtains closed for the last 7 years to avoid any chance of such a disaster.

Observer's book collectors are only too well acquainted with the ease of fading red - every Observer's book has 'Observer's' on the spine in bright red. The value of collectable copies varies massively depending on the degree or lack of fading to that red.

I am, by profession, a bookseller. But my 'expertise' is as nothing compared with several on the BookThink forum. They cover everything from 1,000+ year old antiquities right up to ultra-modern editions.

.

Good to know, I would not have thought of that. I knew light was bad in general, but did not know red was especially sensitive. One of my books I am trying to protect does indeed have red on the cover.

 

[Michael Colton]

It is a solid belief, here in the UK, that the worst possible people to trust with books are libraries and librarians.

On a visit to my local library I pointed out that the first edition copy of K.S. Robinson's 'Red Mars' currently had a market value of around £150. She said, "Oooh, really?" and removed it from the shelf.

On my next visit it was back on the shelf. The book had been rebound in a dreadful and cheap library binding, and the dust wrapper had been trimmed down and laminated onto the boards. Its collectable value had thus been reduced by all £150. It was worth nothing.

Libraries and librarians are vandalizing ruiners of books.

.

I would expect that from libraries. They are attempting to keep a book in a useable condition for as long as possible, not in a distinctly 'good' condition.