What is the best way to preserve an old book?

Question

I have a rare book. It is only 65 years old, but it's getting older yearly. How do I preserve it best?

Answer 1

Though the first answerer is correct in that professional services are the best way to preserve your book, this can be expensive. You can take basic preservation measures at home without professional guidance.

First, you should keep the book in a climate controlled area. Try to protect it from high and low humidity; they both have various detrimental effects. Temperature fluctuations can also increase wear on the book and should be avoided. During the summer storage in an air conditioned room is ideal. During the winter try to keep it away from heating vents or other areas where heat is concentrated and the air is dry.

Storing it in an archival quality box will also help because direct light is a big contributor to decay, as is dust. Gaylord sells some excellent boxes (listed in the sources below), though you can buy from many different places. Just be sure the box isn't made with acidic materials.

Finally, when you read the book make sure the covers are fully supported. It is best never to open the book flat, as this breaks the bindings. Keep in mind that the more handling occurs, the faster the book will wear (though I'm sure you already knew that!).

I am an archivist and following these measures help us keep our books in good shape. I hope they also help you.

Answer 2

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RE:
What is the best way to preserve an old book?
I have a rare book. It is only 65 years old, but it's getting older yearly. How do I preserve it best?

Answer 3

I think you need to contact a professtional. Books are made of different types of paper, and that changes thru time.

Call your local library and see if they have someone you can contact. If that's not an option, or they don't have anyone, try a museum. In Pennsylvania (where I live) the Pennsylvania State Library, does preserve books from the 1700's and 1800's. You might find something like that in your area/state

Answer 4

How To Store Old Books

Answer 5

Books published between 1930 and 1970 were often printed on high-acid paper. These books will self-destruct in time and there's nothing you can do to stop it. The Library of Congress has even acknowledged that and they are copying books of that period in an effort to preserve them on better paper.

If you see any traces of yellowing, you'll know you have one of those books.

Answer 6

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The garage is a terrible place for books. For now, I would put them in plastic bags and see what crawls out. Eventually the lack of oxygen should kill them. Books need to be kept in a cool but dry environment. Bring them inside as soon as you feel its safe. Pax - C

Answer 7

Go to the camera store and get a large enough mylar cover. Seal the book in it after removing as much air as you can. While plastic is good for some things, mylar is better. If you seal anything in plastic that you want to save, because of its compostion you will still get age spots. Sealed in mylar you won't. Which is why coin dealers seal almost all of their coins in mylar containers. The same can be said to use for magazines or comic books you want to preserve.

Answer 8

Sealing it in an airtight container can help keep it from decomposing as fast. Keep them in a safe environment (moderate humidity, clean air, good circulation, no harsh lighting) Closed shelving is also good to keep out dust, and make sure that the books are placed on the shelf properly with the spines straight.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

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