1Luke.w
I recently started getting some of the signed modern classics directly from EP. Up until now I've bought second hand from used bookstores. What I noticed was that the gold gilt seems to have a lot of pieces that are spread around the outside of the books when I take them out of the plastic wrap. I'm assuming this is normal, but it's almost like there is gold glitter everywhere.
My question is what does everyone do to care for their books? I'm assuming just a normal cotton cloth is fine to get rid of the extra gilt, but are there other special things I should do over time to keep them nice?
Thanks.
My question is what does everyone do to care for their books? I'm assuming just a normal cotton cloth is fine to get rid of the extra gilt, but are there other special things I should do over time to keep them nice?
Thanks.
2treereader
There is almost always some amount of gilt that doesn't fully adhere to new books. It's a manufacturing process with a target and upper and lower thresholds like any other. We just happen to notice when there's an excess in shrink wrap. If the binder could ensure that there was never any excess, they would.
The real trick is not eliminating the excess gilt (if anything, if you buy a lot of new books, maybe save it?) but rather, not removing any more unnecessarily. Sweaty hands is a sure way of rubbing the gilt off the boards.
Be sure to search this newsgroup for other conversations just like this one - there are many.
Here are a few thoughts:
- Keep books out of direct sunlight. Some say all sunlight. Realistically, it's just the UV that'll discolor the dye and most modern windows have a decent amount UV blocking capability, so avoiding direct light is probably sufficient.
- You'll have a hard time fight text block sag. Some people make shoes out of foam or felt. good luck. I just flip the wider books every so often.
- Don't cram books together too tightly (this includes heavy vertical stacking). The natural humidity in the air will seep in start acting as a catalyst for the leather and dye to stick together.
- Don't bother with fancy white cotton gloves. These are commodities, after all, not relics or priceless works of art.
- Watch out for bugs like silverfish, worms, moths, mice, spiders, whatever. Dust occasionally. Keep an eye on things.
- Humidity control is important. You'll get foxing and other weird stuff going on with both gilt and leather if you let it get too high. Too low and the leather will get brittle and crack.
- Don't be afraid to read your books. (Looking at all you $1000+ DLE owners who avoid touching them).
The real trick is not eliminating the excess gilt (if anything, if you buy a lot of new books, maybe save it?) but rather, not removing any more unnecessarily. Sweaty hands is a sure way of rubbing the gilt off the boards.
Be sure to search this newsgroup for other conversations just like this one - there are many.
Here are a few thoughts:
- Keep books out of direct sunlight. Some say all sunlight. Realistically, it's just the UV that'll discolor the dye and most modern windows have a decent amount UV blocking capability, so avoiding direct light is probably sufficient.
- You'll have a hard time fight text block sag. Some people make shoes out of foam or felt. good luck. I just flip the wider books every so often.
- Don't cram books together too tightly (this includes heavy vertical stacking). The natural humidity in the air will seep in start acting as a catalyst for the leather and dye to stick together.
- Don't bother with fancy white cotton gloves. These are commodities, after all, not relics or priceless works of art.
- Watch out for bugs like silverfish, worms, moths, mice, spiders, whatever. Dust occasionally. Keep an eye on things.
- Humidity control is important. You'll get foxing and other weird stuff going on with both gilt and leather if you let it get too high. Too low and the leather will get brittle and crack.
- Don't be afraid to read your books. (Looking at all you $1000+ DLE owners who avoid touching them).
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