Foxing is a type of degradation that can occur to books. It is characterized by brown or reddish spots that appear on the paper. These spots are usually the result of exposure to mold or mildew. Foxing can also be caused by chemicals in the environment, such as pollutants.
Foxing can occur to books of any age, but is most common in books that are more than 100 years old. Once foxing appears in a book, it is difficult to remove and the spots will often reappear. Foxing can significantly reduce the value of a book.
Foxing does not affect the integrity of the paper or the book itself, and it is not a sign of poor quality. However, it can be unsightly and can decrease the value of a book.
There are a few ways to prevent foxing. Books should be stored in cool, dry conditions, away from sunlight. If foxing has already occurred, there are a few treatments that can be used to remove or reduce the appearance of the spots.
Foxing is a type of book damage that is caused by a variety of factors, including exposure to light, moisture, and insects. While it is not usually considered to be a serious problem, foxing can devalue a book and make it difficult to read. In some cases, foxing can also lead to the complete destruction of a book. For these reasons, it is important to be aware of the causes of foxing and to take steps to prevent it from happening to your books.
As book collectors and restorers are well aware, foxing is a common, though largely mysterious, problem that can affect old books and manuscripts. While its causes are still not fully understood, there are some things that we do know about foxing, and some strategies that can be employed to help prevent or reduce its effects.