Having a special collection of antique books on a prominent shelf in your home can not only look beautiful if they are well kept, but also add value to them. One of the special problems in preserving books that are close to a hundred years old is temperature control. A well-ventilated room will eliminate the possibility of mold and mildew forming on older books. Foxing, the forming of rusty spots on the cover and pages of books is really a dormant form of fungus. These growths on paper and fabric covered books are just two things to keep in mind when wanting to keep these books in preserved condition.
Mildew and discoloration is not enough, however, in preserving and conserving antique books. Many times an old letter might be found slipped between the pages. Or a rubber band might be found, holding several pages together, or the entire book together. A paper clip may have even been used as a bookmark at some point during the book’s ownership, which can cause rust stains on pages. Of course, such foreign objects should be removed from inside of the book and thrown away.
What about books that have loose bindings or covers? These can easily be repaired by a professional book repair service. Never use Scotch, masking, or duct tape to hold a loose binding or cover together – even for temporary purposes! If one cover is entirely separated, store it in an acid-free archival box until it can be properly repaired.
Image Credit: Bolton-le-Moors from the Industrial arts of the Nineteenth Century (1851-1853) by Sir Matthew Digby Wyatt (1820-1877). The New York Public Library.
