Storage and Protection
To maximize the life and value of a book, store it upright with similar-sized books, out of direct sunlight with equal firm pressure to keep pages tight together but not so tight as to alter the shape of the boards. This will help decrease the weight of the pages pulling on the spines binding.
Dust regularly to discourage staining, mold and insects; Brodart is an archival clear plastic cover placed over collectible book dust jackets to protect against physical and light damage; slipcases are also extremely helpful in protecting your books, especially the leather bounds since brodart is not suggested for them. Bookshelves with doors will also help with protecting your collection from dust, small animals and children. If you live where flooding is a concern consider placing books higher on your shelves.
It is best to place bookshelves on interior walls facing away from direct sunlight to help protect the books from temperature fluctuations, humidity and light damage. Extreme temperatures, frequent changes in temperature and humidity can damage bindings, warp the boards or mold the paper or other organic components within the book. If you live in a very humid location consider keeping your collection in a well ventilated area or even adding a dehumidifier if you are very concerned.
Sunlight is one of the most common causes of damage to your collection. Imagine each of your hands, one in direct sunlight compared to one not, which hand would be damaged by the Sun? How hot did one hand get during the day compared to the other? The Sun can quickly fade, yellow or darken any part exposed to it, most commonly discoloration occurs on the spines of books compared to the rest of the cover because this is the most exposed. The light can also weaken and embrittle the cellulose fibers that make up paper. It can even change the colors or fade the inks or dyes used.
When handling your books, make sure your hands are clean, dry and free of alcohol-based cleansers (hand sanitizer, etc.) or oils as these can damage or stain the book. Some collectors will even use white gloves to handle their leather bounds.
For the leather bounds the Dragonsteel website has detailed directions for their care. Do not keep them in their plastic wrap it can trap moisture, leather is organic and may mold and/or rot over time.
Types of damage to lookout for;
Bowed
A condition of the covers or boards of a hardcover book. Bowed covers may turn inward toward the leaves or outward away from the leaves. The condition generally results from a rapid change in the level of moisture in the air and is caused by different rates of expansion or contraction of the paste-down and the outer material covering the board.
Cocked/Shelf-cocked
A condition resulting from storing a book on a shelf so that it leans and rests against its neighbor or the side of a bookcase. Gravity can deform the book binding. Cocked also refers to a book where the spine no longer remains at right angles to the covers.
Creases
A permanent bend to a page or dust jacket. Commonly happens when dust jackets are removed and stored away while the book is being read. This can greatly affect the value of a collectible book.
Damp Stained
A light stain on the cover or on the leaves of a book caused by moisture such as a perspiration from handling or food. Usually not as severe as water stains.
Darkening
Damage that occurs when book covers are exposed to sunlight, the color can darken or becomes more intense. Similar to fading and sunning.
Deckle Edges
A term for uncut or untrimmed edges leaving them rough and uneven. This is considered a defect to most readers but can also be considered collectible depending on the collector.
Dents
Damage found on the edges of the cover or boards of hardcover books.
Dog-Eared
Pages that have been folded over in the corners to mark a reader's place in a book instead of using bookmarks. Big NO NO!!!
Edge worn
Wear along the edges of hardback book covers. Occurs with general use and moving of a book. Is usually considered minor damage.
Erosion
Loss of paper or cloth caused by a slow and steady wear, as opposed to a chipping, tearing or bumping.
Fading
The color of some book covers fade or become less intense when exposed to sunlight. Considered damage to the book. Use archival covers and collection locations to help protect against fading. Similar to Darkening.
Foxed, Foxing
Brown spotting on the paper caused by a chemical reaction.
Misbound/Misprint
Pages or signatures sewn together in improper order. Sometimes a book can be bound upside down or miss aligned, Most people don’t want these but can be sought after copies for certain collectors.
Price Clipped
The price has been cut off from the corner of the dust jacket. Collectors consider this damage and it will decrease the value of a book. The price on the dust jacket can be used to determine if its the original dust jacket for that book or if a seller is trying to marry a replacement that does not match the printing.
Remainder Mark
This can be a small black dot or line made by a sharpie or other pen on the outside edge of the book. Typically it means the book can not be returned. A remainder mark will bring down the value of a collectible book.
Rubbing
Wearing on the edges of the book or dust jacket as a result of shelf friction. Can also be referred to as Shelf Wear.
Scuffed
Permanent marks on the book or dust jacket.
Shadow
The discoloration of a leaf or cover caused by the use of stickers, tape, etc. The discoloration can be caused by a chemical reaction from the adhesive or from a difference in sunlight exposure. This can sometimes be referred to as Tape Shadow or Sticker Shadow.
Shaken
Describes a book whose pages are beginning to come loose from the binding.
Shelf Wear
Wear that can occur as a book is placed onto and removed from a shelf on the head of the spine which some use to pull the book from the shelf. It may be to the tail (bottom) edge as they rub against the shelf, or to the dust jacket or exterior of the covers as the book rubs against its neighbors. Can also be called Rubbing.
Sliver
A small narrow chip, nick or tear usually at the edge of a dust jacket.
Soiling
A gathering of dust or dirt usually caused by handling. May be able to clean with specially designed book cleaners and tools.
Sunned or Sunning
Fading from exposure to light or direct sunlight. See Fading or Darkening.
Tarnished
A darkening of the book's gilt through oxidation.
Water stain
A stain from water or other liquids. May cause discoloration, warping or even shrinking.
Worming, Wormholes
Small holes found in a book from bookworms (the larvae of various beetles). If you add a book with book worms to your collection they can spread to other books.