Book Restoration 101

Books Tell You Why, Inc.

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Table of Contents – Book Restoration 101
Conservation vs Restoration vs Preservation ...........................................................................3
Preservation Prevents Further Damage ................................................................................3
What about Restoration?......................................................................................................3
Factors to Consider ..............................................................................................................3
Case Study: When Restoration Does More Harm than Good ...................................................4
Great Lengths to Protect Rare Books ...................................................................................4
Undoing a Conservation Mistake .........................................................................................4
Lessons for Rare Book Collectors........................................................................................5
Preventing and Reversing Foxing ............................................................................................6
Tips to Prevent Foxing.........................................................................................................6
Strategies to Remove Foxing ...............................................................................................7
Banishing "Old Book Smell" ...................................................................................................7
The Science behind the Scent ..............................................................................................7
Banishing Other Odors from Rare Books.............................................................................8
Win the Battle against the Bookworm......................................................................................9
Banish Ghosts (and Shadows) from Your Personal Library ....................................................10
Causes of Ghosting and Shadowing ...................................................................................10
Preventing Ghosting and Shadowing .................................................................................10

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Conservation vs Restoration vs Preservation
When you think of conservation and preservation, you may think of the environment. But for
rare book collectors, conservation and preservation are the key to maintaining—and sometimes
even increasing—the value of your prized investments.

Preservation Prevents Further Damage

Although conservation and preservation may sound like they refer to the same thing, the two
terms differ significantly. When a book is preserved, it is simply protected from further damage.
When someone wants a book preserved, I’ll often build a box to protect the book from the sun,
air, and other environmental factors that can cause deterioration. A preservationist’s priority is
the same as a doctor’s: do no harm. Preservation alone doesn’t alter the book in any way.

Conservation, however, requires a little more chemistry to stabilize a book’s condition. A

conservationist might, for instance, work on deacidifying a rare book, or use pigment dyes
instead of chemical dyes to color materials used in repair. Conservationists may also alter the
structure of the book to protect it from further damage over the long term.

What about Restoration?

Now if you want to return a book to its former glory, you want restoration. Restoring a book
means using original materials and historic techniques to make the book look like it did when it
was new—even if that was 200 years ago. Not all restorationists are familiar with conservation
or preservation, so it’s important to choose someone who is not only familiar with period binding
methods, but also understands how to protect your investment in the future.
Does restoring, preserving, or conserving a book improve its value? That all depends on the
book, and the kind of work you have done. Regardless of whether you’re looking for
conservation or restoration, you’ll want to choose a book binder who is proficient in both modern
techniques and those that were used during the time period and in the geographical provenance
of your book. The methods used to create, say, a 15th-century exposed board binding are very
different from the ones used to create an ornate Victorian binding.

Factors to Consider
Any changes to the condition of an antiquarian book can significantly impact its value. That’s
why it’s critical to consider all your options before commissioning preservation, conservation, or
restoration work. Before you do either, think about these factors:
• What is the book’s value as is?
• How will the book be used?
• Will you resell the book?

Once you’ve invested in conserving and restoring your collection, it makes sense to preserve
them as well. Many collectors opt for a multi-pronged approach to maintaining their collection;
they may ask me to restore or rebind a book—and to create a box to protect it.

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Case Study: When Restoration Does More Harm than Good

Over the years, book conservators have used a wide variety of techniques for preserving,
conserving, and repairing rare books. Some of these techniques are more effective than others;
indeed, many practices that were commonplace in centuries past actually damaged rare books,
rather than protecting them. Contemporary conservators often find themselves having to undo
the work of their well-meaning predecessors.

Great Lengths to Protect Rare Books

As collectors know, rare books can be quite susceptible to damage. Pages may get bent or chip;
water can warp the books pages and spine; or mildew may grow on books when the humidity
and temperature are less than ideal. Conservators have long sought ways to prevent this damage.

One method frequently used in the nineteenth century and early twentieth century was a process
called silking. Paper deteriorates over time, especially in warm or wet climates; silking was
designed to protect paper from this natural decay. To silk a manuscript, the conservator would
first clean the pages. Next, the page was coated with paste and a layer of silk gauze was applied.
Sometimes both sides of the leaf were treated this way. The treated page was still legible and
ostensibly less likely to incur environmental damage.

It soon became evident, however, that silking was not the miracle solution conservators had
hoped for. Some silks actually deteriorated faster than the paper itself. Over time the silk would
get brittle or shrink, coming away from the treated page. And silk would also grow discolored
over time. Ultimately silking didn't necessarily cause damage to manuscripts, but it didn't really
protect them well, either.

Undoing a Conservation Mistake

In many cases, the ill-advised treatments of foregone conservators cannot be undone, and their
contemporary counterparts can only strive to prevent further damage. Modern techniques,
however, sometimes make it possible for conservators to "de-silk" manuscripts. The painstaking
process requires exceptional patience and expertise.

The team at the Morgan Library recently de-silked a valuable edition of A Christmas Carol by
Charles Dickens in anticipation of their Dickens at 200 exhibit. Before any treatment began, the
book was thoroughly examined and photographed to ensure it would hold up through the
treatment. Next, the book was disbound. Each sheet was then submerged in a mixture of alcohol
solution and water. The solution dissolved the adhesive used to attach the silk gauze. After the
silk was removed, each page was bathed in calcium carbonate-enriched deionized water and
alcohol. The conservators gently brushed the pages to remove any leftover adhesive.

Enriching the water with calcium carbonate was an important step; Dickens used black iron-gall
ink, which is very acidic and can cause paper to deteriorate. After the pages had been thoroughly
washed, they were air dried and placed between blotters to gently flatten. Pages were repaired as

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needed before the book was rebound. Unlike many authors of his day, Dickens used very high
quality paper, a factor that made for a relatively resilient manuscript. The de-silked pages are
much closer to their original texture and color.

Illustration 1: The de-silking process is a painstaking one

that requires the expertise of an experienced conservator.

Lessons for Rare Book Collectors

The process of de-silking A Christmas Carol certainly wasn't a simple one; it took both
considerable time and significant resources. Yet the original silking treatment was undoubtedly
undertaken by a well-meaning conservator. The results underscore the importance of working
with a qualified conservator who stays abreast of the latest technology and best practices. They
also remind us that changing the state of a rare book shouldn't be taken lightly. Before you make
any decisions about restoring a book, carefully weigh the options and consider the negative side
effects--which can be expensive to reverse later.

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Preventing and Reversing Foxing
Just as too much sun can damage your rare books, so can too much moisture.And we’re not just
talking about direct moisture, such as liquid spills. The relative humidity of the air is also a
concern. Excess humidity (usually relative humidity above 75%) can encourage the growth of
fungi and mildew, which can lead to foxing.

Illustration 2: This book exhibits substantial

foxing.
Foxing is the name for the splotches, spots and specks you often see on older books. It’s rare to
find 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 store them properly.
Books should be kept in a cool, dry place. Libraries and museums maintain a relative humidity of
50%, which halts foxing altogether. At home, use the following techniques:

• Store your books thoughtfully. Keep them in a room that has central air conditioning and
heat.
• Outfit your library with a humidity meter. Digital versions are reliable and affordable.
• If you live in a relatively humid area, consider using a dehumidifier.
• Always use acid-free paper if wrapping, packing, or mounting rare books and ephemera.
Foxing changes the pH of the paper, and additional acid can cause further degradation.

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Strategies to Remove Foxing
Removing the marks of foxing should generally be left to a skilled book conservator or
preservationist. Experts may choose one of two approaches to reverse foxing:

• Using a reducing agent, such as sodium borohydride, on the paper. These agents are mild
enough that they don’t have to be rinsed from the paper after treatment, but they may not
remove the marks completely.
• Treating the paper with an oxidizing agent like sodium tetraborate. Slightly stronger than
reducing agents, oxidizing agents must be washed out of the paper after treatment.

The strength of the agent used depends on the weight of the book’s paper, so the chemicals must
be mixed and applied properly. You’ll find that most rare booksellers opt to leave foxing alone
and simply strive to prevent further damage.

It’s also important to look for signs that foxing has been removed with bleach, which will cause
the paper to degrade more quickly over time. Bleach treatment may cause page wrinkling and ink
bleeding.

Many collectors see foxing as a lovely, desirable part of a rare book’s patina. If that's your view,
do your best to maintain the book's condition and prevent further foxing in the future--which
may not be as desirable to other prospective owners.

Banishing "Old Book Smell"

We all know that aroma. Perhaps it evokes trips to the library as a child, or the cozy ambience of
a grandfather’s study. It’s the distinctive scent of old or antiquarian books.

The Science behind the Scent

Scientists say that “old book smell” is more than just mustiness; it contains hints of grass and
vanilla. That’s because all the compounds used to make the book release distinctive odors as they
break down. For example, lignin, which is present in all wood-based paper, is closely related to
vanillin. As it breaks down, the lignin grants old books that faint vanilla scent.

It’s even possible to approximate the age of a book based on its smell. Chemists have identified
15 substances often present in books (known as VOC’s) that degrade (and therefore emit a gas)
at a predictable rate. The researcher behind the project, Matija Strlic of University College
London's Centre for Sustainable Heritage, was inspired to investigate when he saw a conservator
sniffing paper to assess its quality. Chemist Lorraine Gibson has taken Strlic's research further,
and is working on a test to help experts date books and other paper materials based on the VOC
breakdown.

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Banishing Other Odors from Rare Books
But what if a book has a stronger (and less pleasant) odor? Cookbooks, for instance, may smell
of food if they’ve been stored in the kitchen. Other scents that may creep into your pages include
tobacco or nicotine. Poor air circulation—along with the resulting mold and mildew—are also

Illustration 3: This is one safe and effective method

for eliminating unpleasant odor from rare books.
frequent culprits of malodorous pages.

While an unappealing smell doesn’t directly impact the value of a rare book, it can decrease your
enjoyment of that book. If that’s the case, have hope! With these tips from the Dartmouth
College Library, you can rid your volumes of unwanted odor:

• Find a container large enough to hold your book, and another larger container with a lid.
A garbage can and a plastic crate work well. Just be sure that the containers have never
been used for food or liquid.
• Place an odor-absorbing material (like baking soda, charcoal briquettes, or even kitty
litter) in the larger container.
• Gently open your book and place it flat inside the container. If you're doing multiple
books at once, you can also leave the books upright, with the pages slightly fanned out.
• Put the smaller container inside the larger one, and close the lid of the larger container.
• Check the book after several days. If the book still stinks, close it up again. If the
offending smell has dissipated, put the book back in your library.

And a word about your library: it’s necessary to take a few precautions to keep the smell from
returning. Be sure that the air circulates well in your library, and control both temperature and
humidity. Gently dust your books on a regular basis, as dirt and other buildup can encourage the
growth of mold and mildew.

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Win the Battle against the Bookworm
Mother Nature can wreak havoc on rare books. Sunning, water damage, and humidity can all
cause damage to your collection. Another enemy of your books may also be lurking on your
shelves: the dreaded bookworm. They’ll tunnel right into the block, riddling the book with
countless gullies and channels.

Illustration 4: Insect damage like this usually cannot be

repaired, so it's important to keep your personal library
free of insects and other pests.

Bookworms aren’t really worms—they’re actually the larvae of several species of beetles. While
these insects don’t generally attack modern books, they pose a significant threat to antiquarian
books. The critters seem particularly fond of the glues used on the backs of older books,
particularly those of Italian provenance. From the backs of the books, the insects often move on
to the block, munching right through the pages.

You may have seen the telltale signs of bookworms: fine dust falling from between the pages
when you open up a favorite volume, or tiny piles of paper dust on your shelves. These insects
also don’t stop munching when they’re done with your favorite tomes. They may also feast on
your bookshelves. A few simple steps will help keep your library pest free:

• Keep food away from your books! We love a good snack while reading just as much as
the next person, but crumbs in books attract all kinds of insects.
• Use camphor or naphthalene as a deterrent. You can soak linen in either, and place it on
the bookshelf. Re-soak the fabric whenever the scent fades.
• Some experts recommend sprinkling fine pepper along the edges of the bookshelf, though
Keating’s Insect Powder might be an equally effective alternative.
• Don’t use pesticide or plastic wrapping on your rare books without first consulting a
professional.
• Maintain optimum humidity levels in your library. High moisture levels can attract
insects.

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If insects have struck your rare books, it’s important to act fast if you want to prevent further
damage. To kill existing insects, place the book in a bag with a cloth soaked in ether. Repeat
every two weeks for a few months to kill any other larvae that may have hatched.

If insects have damaged the boards of your book, talk to a professional book binder or
conservator about your options. The boards may require replacement. This is often the best
course of action, since the old boards may still contain insect eggs. A qualified professional will
be able to assess the damage and suggest multiple options for repair. After investing in rebinding
and repair, you may want to consider a clamshell case for your book. Made to precisely fit each
book, clamshell cases offer extra protection from dust and moisture.

Banish Ghosts (and Shadows) from Your Personal Library

When it comes to rare books, condition is everything. Any kind of damage, discoloration, or
flaws can significantly impact a book's value. One of the most common flaws we see in rare and
antiquarian books is a condition called ghosting or shadowing. This condition occurs when a
page fades unevenly, leaving a visible outline on the page.

Causes of Ghosting and Shadowing

One common culprit of ghosting is actually sunning, which occurs when the book is exposed to
any light--not just sunlight. If you leave a book in a place where only part of it is exposed to
light, the exposed part will fade and look visibly different from the unexposed parts. This process
is a chemical reaction that accelerates deterioration of the book, resulting in brittle or delicate
pages over time. Sunning may occur on a book's cover, or on pages that are left open and
exposed. This is why museums often turn the pages of antiquarian books on display; even gentle
"book safe" light can damage pages over time.

Another cause of ghosting is exposure to other paper or adhesives. For example, leaving a Post-it
or bookmark in a book for long periods of time will leave an impression on the page; you'll be
able to see the outline of where the Post-it or bookmark was after it was removed. Tape often
leaves a similar trace. That's because most paper and adhesives are acidic, so they cause a
chemical reaction in adjacent/treated leaves.

Preventing Ghosting and Shadowing

The reversal of ghosting and shadowing requires the intervention of a trained conservator and
may not be cost effective for an individual volume in your collection. Thus it's critical for
collectors to prevent this damage from occurring in the first place!

Antiquarian and rare books would ideally be stored in a dark place with no exposure to light--but
that's not practical for any collector who actually wants to enjoy the collection. Instead, build
your personal library in a room with small or no windows. Add UV filters to the windows if
possible, and avoid using unshielded fluorescent bulbs in the areas where you store your books.
You can also put archival dust jackets, which offer basic UV protection, on modern first editions.
These measures will help prevent damage from sunning.

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Meanwhile, be vigilant about the materials that come into contact with your rare books. Any
paper used to protect a rare book should be archival quality and acid free. Do not use any tapes,
glues, or other products on books unless they are specifically designed for that use. In general,
the best course of action for repairing a book at home is… to consult an expert first. Even
products specifically intended for use on rare books can cause damage if applied incorrectly or
overzealously, so you'll want to talk to a conservator before attempting repairs yourself.

Illustration 5: These volumes are prime candidates for ghosting, thanks to the
bookmarks they contain.

You should also thoroughly check your books to ensure that there are no papers stored inside.
Letters, documents, and bookmarks are frequent finds. If you do discover something tucked
within the pages, don't just throw it away. Note the page where you found it and whether it was
attached with anything (a paper clip, perhaps). Then place the item in an archival envelope or
pouch and store it appropriately.

With the right care, you can protect your rare books from fading and discoloration caused by
sunning and exposure to acidic materials. These steps help maintain the value of your rare and
antiquarian book collection.

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