aviv chadash Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 Hello, I'm sure this has probably come up before, but I couldn't find a previous thread. I have noticed that the part of the pages 'exposed' on some of my books have become discoloured - this would be the top of the books, since the other sides, the side and bottom, are against the bookcase, if that makes sense - and that this discolouration has leeched into the page slightly; also, the discolouration is more pronounced at the front where the page meets the spine, working its way towards the back (since the spines of the book are at the front of the bookcase) if that makes sense. I was wondering if anyone knows what can be done to prevent this discolouration, as it infuriates me no-end. Would covering the bookcases stop this? I think it is due to the exposure of these parts of the pages, because, as I say, the parts not exposed have no discolouration, and the discolouration is most pronounced at the front, that closest to the 'outside', beyond the bookcase! (Sounds very dramatic, I know). My bookcases are in a 'slightly converted loft, which I suppose is more readily subjected to the inclemencies of (the?) weather. Any advice appreciated, Aviv. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissy Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 I think covering them would definitely prevent this from happening. You can get archiving bags and sheets specifically to keep paper documents etc 'safe', but in a domestic environment I would think that a thick or lined curtain would be more than adequate. My husband has some very old books and documents, and instead of displaying the on book shelves, he keeps them safe and flat in a chest of drawers. This appears to work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lumo Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 Sunlight, or any light, definitely does this. So as you say the exposed sides discolour sooner. As well as covering them if you could arrange it so that all the books on one shelf were the same height then it might also be possible to rearrange the shelves so that the shelf above is almost touching the tops of the books on the one below, thus almost covering them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raven Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 And if that fails, use Tipex! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleW Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 Tipex for discoloured books? But that would look more nasty than the discolouring, wouldn't it? I would rather use a courtain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kell Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 Tippex???? I think I'm going to be a little sick at that sugestion, even though I'm completely certain Raven was joking - LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UCLGeogPhD Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 Just need to keep the books in somewhere more environmentally stable is all, so out of direct sunlight (light bleaching and heat) and somewhere with low humidity (action of dissolved chemicals present in water vapour). So as previous posters have suggested move the books to a room or onto shelves out of these kinds of condition, or just whack up some curtains or blinds (or just keep them shut during what ever part of the day that sunlight is streaming straight into the room). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lopeanha Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 Tippex???? I think I'm going to be a little sick at that sugestion, even though I'm completely certain Raven was joking - LOL! I do hope so Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AbielleRose Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 I worked for Barnes and Noble here part of my training went over how to care for the books. Sunlight and air are the worst enemies, so if you're adament on keeping them perfect, a bag with the air sucked out would be best. Regardless of how you try, the books will still wear a bit. Also, they've started printing books here in the last few years on new paper that's a bit thinner and doesn't get stale as much or as quickly. You see it a lot in the paperbacks. Hopefully they'll keep evolving the idea until they can find a paper for all printed books that helps slow the process if not eliminate it. The extremely porous hardcover books are the worst. Though it probably sounds strange, I love the smell of stale books... Something about them just... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raven Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 I'm completely certain Raven was joking Not at all. (You have to paint the edge of every page indiviually though, otherwise the pages stick together). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kell Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 Not at all. (You have to paint the edge of every page indiviually though, otherwise the pages stick together). Be gone! Be gone, foul demon!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simongrant Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 Not at all. (You have to paint the edge of every page indiviually though, otherwise the pages stick together). I might try this,my copy of The Stand complete and uncut edition is showing signs of discoloration.I will start this process tonight and let you all know how it works out,sometime around 2019 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleW Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 (edited) I might try this,my copy of The Stand complete and uncut edition is showing signs of discoloration.I will start this process tonight and let you all know how it works out,sometime around 2019 Yeah, have a try on your most valuable books at first. HELP!!! How do I add those quotes here? Edited August 3, 2011 by Kell fixed quote coding Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 It needs to say [ quote ] quoted text here [ /quote ] (without the gaps) - you put your text in the wrong place, and it broke up the tags. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleW Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 Test It needs to say [ quote ] quoted text here [ /quote ] (without the gaps) - you put your text in the wrong place, and it broke up the tags. Thanks, Michelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucybird Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 It needs to say [ quote ] quoted text here [ /quote ] (without the gaps) - you put your text in the wrong place, and it broke up the tags. Or click the reply button under the post you want to quote Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleW Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 Or click the reply button under the post you want to quote Ahhh! Thanks you! Still learning, you see Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 I'm not into book preservation to the point where I will put my books in bags, but I do make sure I have the blinds closed during the sunniest part of the day. I also have my shelves placed very closely together, so the tops of the books are often practically resting against the shelf above (although I've done that so I can cram more books into my bookcases, not to preserve the books). One more tip: ignore everything Raven tells you. He's a trouble-maker. I have no idea what Tippex is, but I could tell he was joking even before I read the responses. Tut tut, Raven! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UCLGeogPhD Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 I'm not into book preservation to the point where I will put my books in bags, but I do make sure I have the blinds closed during the sunniest part of the day. I also have my shelves placed very closely together, so the tops of the books are often practically resting against the shelf above (although I've done that so I can cram more books into my bookcases, not to preserve the books). One more tip: ignore everything Raven tells you. He's a trouble-maker. I have no idea what Tippex is, but I could tell he was joking even before I read the responses. Tut tut, Raven! Tippex is known elsewhere as Liquid Paper or Correction Fluid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 Tippex is known elsewhere as Liquid Paper or Correction Fluid. Oh my! That's even worse than I thought it would be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aviv chadash Posted August 9, 2011 Author Share Posted August 9, 2011 Thanks for the responses. Unfortunately they'll have to stay in the loft. I've resorted to covering them with a blanket, as has been suggested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vodkafan Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 KINDLE! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleW Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 KINDLE! That doesn't solve the problem with the real books you already have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vodkafan Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 That doesn't solve the problem with the real books you already have. Sure it does just throw them away!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigWords Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 Hopefully nobody here is crazy enough to spend the money (and if you are, I apologize in advance), but there are companies who can bleach the pages of books (and magazines, comics, or whatever you like) for you, tighten bound spines, fix tears, replace missing pieces... A 50s Charlton comic in rough condition was used as an example a couple of years ago, with before and after photos taken, and you would have sworn they were completely different copies. It isn't a cheap or quick process though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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