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?
"Phnglui mglw nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah nagl fhtagn!"
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.
...Don't pee on your books!Originally Posted by Joe315
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.
Interested in getting some Brodart Fold On Jacket Covers- which would be the best fit for standard size hardbacks?
http://www.shopbrodart.com/Book-Jack...Jacket-Covers/
The ones that I use are completely adjustable, you can get them individually cut or in long sheets that you can cut yourself, practice with an inexpensive used hardback until you really get the hang of it, it's pretty easy once you get used to doing it
I've bagged my books since I first started collecting back in my teens. The books do stay pristine that way. Though the plastic bags detract from the appearance on the shelf, I'd rather see those than imagine all the dust sitting on all the expensive editions I see in people's posted collection photos!
Hunter
You can try an air duster, this just moves the dust off the book into the air but it minimizes the amount on the book itself. Just blow it off (don't get the nozzle too close to the books) and then use a Swiffer-type duster to collect it from the shelves.
Hi all,
Pretty much a rookie question here. I use Brodart archival covers, and take care to avoid direct sunlight and keep a generally dim environment anyway (PC gamer).
Question is, is it worth protecting slipcased dust jackets in a low-lit environment? These are currently the only collectible books that I don't have protected, besides traycased, but in the back of my mind I'm worrying about the spine fading despite the low light. Is there a general consensus on this, or to each his own?
Thanks!
“Reality is a nice place to visit, but you wouldn’t want to live there.”
-John Barth
https://bugensbooks.com/
Most of the slipcased books I own wouldn't fit into the slipcase with a plastic cover on them anyway. Same with the traycased books. I don't even consider that. and Ssme of my trade HC books have been in direct sunlight for 30+ years and they haven't faded...yet.
"I'm a vegan. "
---Kirby Bliss Blanton , The Green Inferno (2013)
As long as it's not a real tight fit I think you'd be ok putting a jacket protector on.
The jacket protector also does just that--protects the jacket from any unwanted wear, etc.
John
If you buy the single serving Brodart covers, make sure you buy the extra wide to make sure it covers tne entire width of the dust jacket. Especially wider books like the 25th Anniversary of IT.
Of course I want to keep my collection looking good. But I refuse to treat my books as if they can only be enjoyed by keeping them in pristine condition. In other words: no Brodart covers, no only handling them while wearing gloves. Instead, I read my books, my limiteds (carefully, mind you) - and it's an absolute joy to open, for instance, a lettered King and actually smell the book, enjoy the touch, the texture of the material. That's what books are made for. Also the limited editions.
Especially those!
sk
I don't think putting a Brodart on a dust jacket keeps you from opening your book and smelling/molesting it.
I liken my care for books to a Coen brothers movie: Burn After Reading.
Thank you guys for the comments. Based on what I've read I believe I'll stick with the current plan, which is to protect collectible DJs with Brodart except for slipcased. I barely own any traycased, but they'll remain without mylar. Many, if not all, of your collections far exceed mine, so this was probably the right place to ask.
I like the fact that many of this crowd actually reads the book, though I go back and forth between reading the books on kindle or sometimes another paper copy, reading the collectible, and just smelling/molesting them. When I do read them I think of it as a luxury. I've never read Hell House, but I know Matheson (short stories, pretty much ALL of them), so I picked up the Gauntlet limited a while back. Been reserving this read for a particularly rainy day.
Happy reading, guys, and thanks again.
Oh, and in case any of you missed it, Epic Rap Battle of King vs Poe:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56R3hU-fWZY
“Reality is a nice place to visit, but you wouldn’t want to live there.”
-John Barth
https://bugensbooks.com/
I don't read my limiteds. That's what trade editions are for. I do, however, take them out occasionally and page through them, just to admire the artwork, the layout and the quality of the volume.
John
I read my limiteds. Though I do it very very carefully. When I first started collecting I debated with myself if I would or not. I decided to read them. I couldn't bear the thought of all those great stories presented so beautifully going unread.
I really need to pick up some Brodart covers. I keep putting it off because there is only so much money yet so many books to buy...
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