Antique Books

Taking Care of Your Antique Books

Taking Care of Antique Books: Knowing the parts of a book is important in taking good care of your valuable antique books. The spine of the book is the most sensitive and vulnerable part of the book. Leather bound books need special care to prevent the leather from becoming brittle and eventually cracking.

Store the book away from bright lights to prevent leather covers from fading and occasionally apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly - this will prevent the leather bound books from drying and cracking.

Humidity is another important factor responsible for the deterioration of antique books. High relative humidity encourages the growth of mold, causing serious damage to the book as molds digest the material. In the unfortunate instance where the cover of your antique book comes off, please seek professional help.

Things to Look Out For When Collecting Antique Books
Old books are out of date, obsolete and boring - right? Not any old book, mind you. These are rare historical books that have a market of collectors wishing to buy them.

As with other types of antiques, there are no hard and fast rules about how much an antique book is worth. First edition books are usually the most sought after versions. The closer a book condition is to is original condition the more it will be worth. Any marks, stains, page tears or binding wear can decrease a books value markedly.

Oftentimes, evaluating the value of an antique book can be very bewildering, so whether you're going to buy an antique book or sell one, it is recommended to consult an expert first to examine the antique book's real worth.

Because the condition of a book is very important in determining its value, you really should store any antique books in a proper and book friendly place. Also, avoid storing books in places that release acidic vapors, such as unsealed woods.

Check my other Antique summary on Antique Portraits