Protecting older books

[psaulm119]

The more I frequent thrift shops, library sales, etc., the more I accumulate old (say, 40 year old) hardcover books that still have a few reads in them. I usually try to sell them on amazon, but I'm finding that often the price just isn't there, so I'm going to keep a few of these. What is the best thing to do for older books, to make sure that they last (while on the shelves, as well as reading them)? These are classics that I'd like to pass on to my kids at some point, so I really would like to try to preserve these. Thanks.

Paul

 

[Ashlea]

While I know there are techniques for book repair (which are fairly expensive, I think), I'd say the best thing is examining books before you buy them, to determine that the pages are tight. Sunlight will fade the spines, so watch where you store them. The rest of it is just good sense - read them gently, treat them with respect.

 

[Wabbit]

Don't throw them in buckets of acid or smother them in jam!

 

[funes]

Ashlea has the right idea. Keep them dry and out of the sunlight and you will go a long way towards preserving them. Also, don't use them as coasters, door stops, etc. Use a book mark when you read them, so as not to break the spine. Basically, good common sense.

 

[Marge]

I believe you can also get plastic covers to protect paperbacks too.

 

[psaulm119]

Thanks for your input. We all have seen libraries cover their hardcover books as well. Is this simply force of habit, or does this have any positive effect? Most of my older h/c are not covered.

 

[Occlith]

"libraries cover their hardcover books as well...does this have any positive effect?"

Libraries put a plastic cover on the dust jacket to:
1. Protect the jacket.
2. Protect the covers of the book
3. Keep the book cover esthetically pleasing to the borrower.

The dust jacket usually contains information on the author and the content of the book as well as an eye-catching picture; since many people can handle one book, especially a popular one or a best seller, it is important that the dust jacket is protected.
From a collector's standpoint, the dj is a feature of the book, and can usually add to its value depending on its condition, so it would be good to protect the jackets.
Look over the following sites for information on preservation and restoration to get you started…

On preservation:
http://www.loc.gov/preserv/presfaq.html
http://www.oldmapgallery.com/catalog/preservation.html

On repair:
http://amol.org.au/recollections/1/2/19.htm
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~preserve/repair/repairindex.htm