Best Way to Care for your Collection?

[Ben Staad]

I've found that archival plastic bags (like those used for comics) are good at keeping many books in pristine condition.

John

Agreed however I don't like the look of that on my shelf. The best way is finding a great enviroment/location for your book case(s). I'm not sure what the best way to remove the dust is. Feather duster works okay but doesn't get it all.

[jhanic]

I've found that archival plastic bags (like those used for comics) are good at keeping many books in pristine condition.

John

[peteOcha]

If you ever notice yellowing of the pages, I don't think that can be reversed.

...Don't pee on your books!

[Joe315]

For dust jackets I recommend brodart or gaylord dust jacket covers. They are basically plastic covers that you put the dust jackets in to protect them. http://www.shopbrodart.com/Book-Jacket-Cover/. They have a bunch of different sizes and thicknesses so you can choose what you think is best.

Bowing happens most with heavier books. I have noticed a couple I have in which the text block on the bottom is bowed downward and is pulling a way from the spine at the top. To prevent this you either keep them flat or put them in a slipcase if you can find one.

Dusting them regularly will keep them clean but I think they will get dirty no matter what unless you keep them bagged or something.

If you ever notice yellowing of the pages, I don't think that can be reversed.

[the_last_gunslinger]

Any tips on keeping your signed/limited editions looking like new? I've noticed a few books in my collection have accumulated a little bit of dust along the edge of their pages and the boards on my copy of The Corpse King appear to be bowed outward ever so slightly. In a perfect world, I'd love to slipcase my entire collection, but since that's not a possibility, how do I go about keeping these books dust free, keep dust jackets without wrinkles and prevent the covers from bowing?