Book mould or something else?

[PeterHenry]

Hi All,

This is an appeal to the collective knowledge of Pigeon Watch.

I bought the book in the photos recently, and it was mentioned it had some staining to the spine - but the photos weren't particularly good. 

It arrived this morning and my first thoughts were mould. But, there is no mould in the book itself, or on the inside of the spine. There is some foxing and also a musty smell, but no powdery substance or black marks anywhere.

My theory's are -

Water or some other liquid damage to the spine / cover, that has resulted in staining but no mould.

Fungal damage that's been treated by something like bleach?

Any views greatly appreciated,

Peter

 

Edited April 5 by PeterHenry

[Penelope]

A decent read, none the less.

[islandgun]

Page 183 will be of great interest to MM. probably damp.....but then it is about estuaries

[Miserableolgit]

My late grandfather was an antiquarian book dealer and his shelves would be full of books bound in Rexine like that one. The material is prone to fading and blotchiness due to UV light [sunlight] and damp [or wiping down with a damp cloth or cloth with polish residue in the past. As it is only the spine that is affected I would suggest that sunlight and slightly damp atmosphere is the cause.

[marsh man]

12 minutes ago, islandgun said:

Page 183 will be of great interest to MM. probably damp.....but then it is about estuaries

You are right I G , I can never get enough of the place , mind you this morning wasn't so nice as it poured of rain and I got damper than Peters book , looking at his book it look like it had been stored in the bottom of one of the ole Breydon gun punts .

Here are some of my ole ones about the area .

[Velocette]

I've spoken to a chum who is a museum conservator and he suggests the following. Take one clean roasting dish and put a good thick layer of baking soda in it. Place the wire base grid in and stand the book on it, upright with the pages spread. Carefully cover everything with a bin liner and leave it in a safe place for 4/5 days. He uses this method to reduce the the damp, fungal smells often found in long stored books and manuscripts. It probably won't remove it all straight away but can be repeated as often as you like. Likewise, standing the book in any safe place, upright with the pages spread will, over time reduce the smell. Good luck !!

[PeterHenry]

4 hours ago, Penelope said:

A decent read, none the less.

👍

2 hours ago, islandgun said:

Page 183 will be of great interest to MM. probably damp.....but then it is about estuaries

👍

1 hour ago, Miserableolgit said:

My late grandfather was an antiquarian book dealer and his shelves would be full of books bound in Rexine like that one. The material is prone to fading and blotchiness due to UV light [sunlight] and damp [or wiping down with a damp cloth or cloth with polish residue in the past. As it is only the spine that is affected I would suggest that sunlight and slightly damp atmosphere is the cause.

Thanks - that's very reassuring. It often amazes me the amount of specialist knowledge on this forum.

1 hour ago, marsh man said:

You are right I G , I can never get enough of the place , mind you this morning wasn't so nice as it poured of rain and I got damper than Peters book , looking at his book it look like it had been stored in the bottom of one of the ole Breydon gun punts .

Here are some of my ole ones about the area .

That's a fine collection

2 minutes ago, Velocette said:

I've spoken to a chum who is a museum conservator and he suggests the following. Take one clean roasting dish and put a good thick layer of baking soda in it. Place the wire base grid in and stand the book on it, upright with the pages spread. Carefully cover everything with a bin liner and leave it in a safe place for 4/5 days. He uses this method to reduce the the damp, fungal smells often found in long stored books and manuscripts. It probably won't remove it all straight away but can be repeated as often as you like. Likewise, standing the book in any safe place, upright with the pages spread will, over time reduce the smell. Good luck !!

Very helpful - and much appreciated 

[Miserableolgit]

12 hours ago, Velocette said:

I've spoken to a chum who is a museum conservator and he suggests the following. Take one clean roasting dish and put a good thick layer of baking soda in it. Place the wire base grid in and stand the book on it, upright with the pages spread. Carefully cover everything with a bin liner and leave it in a safe place for 4/5 days. He uses this method to reduce the the damp, fungal smells often found in long stored books and manuscripts. It probably won't remove it all straight away but can be repeated as often as you like. Likewise, standing the book in any safe place, upright with the pages spread will, over time reduce the smell. Good luck !!

Good advice 👍