How To Remove Foxing From Paper

In that location is never a wrong time to think nigh the effects of wet and humidity on rare books. Just equally too much sunday can damage your rare books, and so can too much wet. And we''re not only talking about direct moisture, such as liquid spills. The relative humidity of the air is besides a business concern. Excess humidity (usually relative humidity above 75%) can encourage the growth of fungi and mildew, which can pb to foxing. If foxing occurs, what are the best means to reverse it? Better yet, how tin can you lot prevent foxing in your rare books?

Twain_43_Days_Open_Boat Foxing is the proper name for the splotches, spots, and specks you oft run into on older books. It''south rare to notice a book from the eighteenth or nineteenth century that doesn't show signs of foxing, and some modern books may also be foxed.

Tips to Prevent Foxing

The best way to prevent initial or further foxing on your rare books is to shop them properly. Books should be kept in a absurd, dry place. Libraries and museums maintain a relative humidity of 50%, which halts foxing birthday. At home, use the post-obit techniques:

Store your books thoughtfully. Keep them in a room that has key air conditioning and rut. Digital versions are reliable and affordable.
If yous alive in a relatively humid expanse, consider using a dehumidifier.
E'er utilize acid-costless newspaper if wrapping, packing, or mounting rare books and ephemera. Foxing changes the pH of the paper, and additional acid can cause farther deposition.

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Strategies to Remove Foxing

Clubb_Journal Removing the marks of foxing should generally be left to a skilled book conservator or preservationist. Experts may choose 1 of two approaches to contrary foxing:

Using a reducing amanuensis, such as sodium borohydride, on the paper. These agents are mild enough that they don't have to be rinsed from the paper later on treatment, but they may not remove the marks completely.

Treating the paper with an oxidizing agent similar sodium tetraborate. Slightly stronger than reducing agents, oxidizing agents must be washed out of the paper after handling.

The force of the agent used depends on the weight of the book''s paper, so the chemicals must be mixed and applied properly. You''ll notice that most rare booksellers opt to get out foxing alone and but strive to prevent further impairment.

It''s as well important to expect for signs that foxing has been removed with bleach, which will crusade the paper to degrade more apace over time. Bleach treatment may cause page wrinkling and ink haemorrhage.

Some collectors see foxing every bit a lovely, desirable office of a rare volume'due south patina. What''s your take?

Looking for more information on book preservation? Check out the following articles:

How to Beat the Bookworm
Caring for Rare Books Bound in Vellum
Caring for Handwritten Documents

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Sources: Absurd Conservation, NYU Library, Period Fine Binding

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