How do I preserve a hardcover book?

Question

I have these old hardcover books circa 1936 through 1956 some are in decent condition some are falling appart. I need to glue the binder with acid free glue since its falling off. However over the years the pages have turned yellow. How do i preserve a book or what can I store it in when not in use? Is there some form of acid free box that I can put it in? Is there anything to reverse the yellowing? Is there anything to avoid allowing the pages from yellowing and drying out even more?

thanks!

Answer 1

Gaylord (www.gaylord.com) sells archival supplies. If the binding is intact, store the book upright, on a bookshelf, supported on both sides (with other books or bookends). It should be somewhere out of direct sunlight. If it has a dust jacket, get a mylar cover and practice putting them on books you don't care about, or get a lesson at your local library.

If the binding is loose (or any pages are, too), get the clothe tape from Gaylord and tie them together losely, like present ribbon. They can be stored flat. If they are super special, get a Hollister box (available from Gaylord) that fits them best.

Reversing the yellowing is possible, but expensive and doesn't always work. It depends on the quality of the paper -- cheaper paper has more wood pulp, and is more acidic. Keeping them from contact with other acidic things helps, so don't wrap them with just any paper, keep bookmarks or other things between the pages. 1936-1956 was a difficult time for paper. It was rationed during WWII, and good paper is made from cotton rag, which went to the war effort. Companies discovered it was cheaper to use wood pulp paper, so they kept doing it, even after the war. It takes a few years for the foxing (yellow or brown stains) to appear.

Get a book on archival preservation from the library. As far as re-gluing the binding, I would be careful here. Most antique value is in original condition. If you start an amateur (no offense) job of restoration, you might hurt their value.

(PS, I have no connection to Gaylord. I just know they have all this stuff, and will sell it in small quantities to individuals. Other companies will, too.)

Answer 2

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