How to store rare and antique books

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<h2>How to store rare and antique books</h2>
by <a href="mailto:rick@justpayten.com" title="E-mail the author">Incredible Articles</a>
The first consideration to be given when 
collecting rare or antique books is the safe 
keeping and storage. Whilst this may seem 
obvious, it is essential to consider these few 
points in order to ensure the longevity and safe 
keeping of any collection. The starting point is 
how the books are to be kept. The considerations 
to be looked at are as follows: 
 
Shelving The appointment of the shelving within a 
room is important, in an ideal world it should be 
a minimum of 3cm away from any given wall to 
allow the circulation of air. The wall should 
not be an outside wall as this can encourage damp. 
 The shelving should be robust and not sag in the 
middle when fully laden. The shelving would 
ideally be adjustable so books can be stored 
upright and central to the shelve, again to 
promote air circulation. Solid book ends should 
be used to keep the books upright and tightly 
stacked, not too tight as this can cause damage 
when gaining access. Large and heavy books can 
be stored flat but not stacked on top of each 
other as this can damage the spines. 
 
Humidity and Temperature Dampness within books 
encourages mould, however, too dry and the paper 
can become brittle. The ideal temperature would 
be between 60-70Â°F. 
 
Light Direct sunlight is the biggest single 
contributor to book damage (second only to water). 
 Paper will decay and fade if not protected. 
Books should not be stored or subjected to direct 
sunlight. Your storing room should have the 
curtains or blinds drawn when not in use. 
 
Infestation There are several critters that are 
attracted to the component parts of books ( 
starches, glues and paper) such as silverfish, 
book lice, cockroaches, bookworms, rats and mice. 
The tell tale signs are small piles of brown dust 
or bite marks. If you observe any of these 
symptoms then you should consult a pest control 
expert immediately. 
 
These simple considerations will ensure the 
successful storage and promote longevity of any 
book. Further articles on the topic of book 
collecting, Common book terminology and how to 
identify first editions are available at www. 
bid4abook.co.uk. 
About the Author 
John Harvey has been an avid collector of rare 
and antique books for several years. In 2005 he 
started up his own antique and rare book auction 
site http://www.bid4abook.co.uk/. The site is 
free for buyers and sellers of books. 

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How to store rare and antique books