On the Care and Storage of Rare Books

A rare book is a physical object subject to the same forces of decay as any organic material. Cellulose degrades, leather desiccates, cloth fades, and dust jackets — those fragile paper wrappers that now constitute half the value of many modern firsts — tear, crease, and yellow with discouraging ease.

Environmental Controls

Temperature: Maintain between 60–70°F (15–21°C). Avoid fluctuation more than daily variation.

Humidity: Target 30–50% relative humidity. Below 30%, leather and paper become brittle. Above 50%, mould becomes a risk.

Light: UV radiation is the primary enemy of paper and cloth. Store books away from direct sunlight. If display is desired, use UV-filtering glass and rotate displayed items quarterly.

Shelving Best Practices

• Store books upright, not leaning
• Support with bookends of appropriate height
• Never stack books horizontally for extended periods (pressure damages lower volumes)
• Leave slight air circulation between volumes

Dust Jacket Protection

Archival-quality Mylar (polyester) covers are the standard for protecting dust jackets. They are chemically inert, optically clear, and do not off-gas. Fitted boxes (clamshell or slipcase) provide superior protection for high-value items but must be acid-free throughout.