What is the best way to preserve 1st edition softcover books?

I collect Tom Robbins' books, and have some wonderful first edition softcovers. I've heard about adhesive covers, but am afraid that would diminish the value. Does anyone know what the standard method for preserving paperbacks is?

What is the best way to preserve 1st edition softcover books?
Well, when I was into paperback collecting, we used to put the books in glassine paper folders, which kind of kept the illustrated surfaces from abrasion. The problem with paperbacks is often the paper quality. A lot of the paper used is soft, and of High Acid Content. This means the paper will slowly "Burn" brown, and become brittle. Also, the glued, instead of sewn spines will, in time become brittle and fail. Most collectors rate the value of paperbacks by assessing the condition of the spine, how "foxed" (Worn, Dog eared) the volume is, and how vibrant the cover illustration's colors are,





Keeping your collectible editions away from light will help keep the colors from fading, keeping them in glassine will keep abrasion and oils from fingers from foxing the books, and of course not actually opening the book and creasing the spine will increase it's value. Real Buffs might go on to talk about keeping the books in a controlled environment, (Humidity and heat are not the friends of paper products.) If some of your Paper-bounds are Trade paperbacks, some of these may have dust jackets. I suggest taking these off, and storing them carefully (flat, enveloped) off by themselves. Nothing affects a dust jacketed editions value as much as a missing, or ripped dust jacket.
Reply:Thanks so much for your informative answer! You have been a huge help. I'm rather new to the official collecting realm with an eye to preservation. Thanks for the lovely terms of art, too! Report It

Reply:Go to your local camera store and buy some mylar sleeves. Place the books in these sleeves and if you have a vacuum sealer, use it. Anything kept in mylar doesn't age or turn yellow. If kept in plastic sleeves over time it will yellow and dry up too. Mylar sleeves are used by coin collectors to preserve old coins and magazines and comic books. Nothing is better than mylar for preservation, which is probably why photo shops and camera stores sell mylar sleeves. These are the only places I know of that handle this material too.
Reply:well, for one thing, when u read them, dont fold them too far apart, just enough to see the words. what my aunt does for me, is she takes paper (or newspaper) and fold it around the cover, making a "paper book cover". also try to get it lamenated, which i did to replace my paper book covers.

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