The Care of Fine Books

by Jane Greenfield

Jane Greenfield, advisor in rare book conservation at Yale University Library, is a leading authority on preservation and repair. After attending the New York School of Applied Design, she operated her own bindery for several years, enabling her to write from an unusual level of both education and experience. Here she offers a concise yet thorough discussion of book construction, storage, handling, cleaning, and repair, as well as essential expert advice on how to properly store and handle books of value in order to protect them from fire, flood, theft, and common wear and tear. With a new introduction by bestselling author Nicholas A. Basbanes, this is an indispensable volume for bibliophiles of every description.

Genres: Nonfiction, Books About Books, Reference

160 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1988

Reviews

[Charlotte]

much of content is common sense, though there's helpful content if, for instance, you want to take up book repair or display your books open. I did, however, find that I am opening new books all wrong, and I am tempted to make bookworm traps as instructed (I don't think I have bookworms, but still traps might prove me wrong.)

[Matt]

The Care of Fine Books is a solid and easily accessible guide to the conservation and preservation of rare books. Written by Rare Books Librarian, Jane Greenfield, this manual-style book provides DIY examples (some with illustrations) on how to do everything from cleaning books and pest control to preparing exhibits and record keeping. I would recommend this book to anyone working in a library or museum environment or to any private collectors out there.

[Marc Joseph]

A fine, but now a bit dated, book on the care, handling, upkeep and minor repair of fine books. The book is intended for the private collector, as well as the professional librarian. I certainly learned some new things, but some of the book had no bearing for me, as a private collector. Still, it is worth a read for anyone with a private library (i.e.. a book collection) for tips on the proper storage, care and handling of books. A very easy read and well worth the time.

[Eric]

6/10.
This is for librarians and fine art dealers. Little utility to the book collector. Uses bad drawings rather than pictures. Most advice is geared to sewn, leatherbound codices of hundreds of years. I was looking for a simple care guide for regular modern hardcovers. Just watch some Youtube videos.

[Mads]

Lots of good advice (if a bit outdated)! Yet another author and I disagree about the merits of marginalia. Sure, you’ve got to preserve the dealer’s marks for historical accuracy, but I can’t nod along to a passage with notes left by the person who owned my book twenty years ago? Get real.

[Lawrence]

Didn’t tell me anything I didn’t all ready know.

[Heather]

I thought this was a good basic introduction to fine book care. It covers a short history of book publishing and how books have been put together. It goes over the parts of a book and the conditions in which a book is best preserved. It explains how to safeguard books from various environmental and biological hazards. It gives a good general overview of the best kinds of shelves and storage for books, also.

[Fredrick Danysh]

Greenfield discusses the history of books and their care. Types of paper, covers, and bindings are presented as is the care of books. The effects of moisture, light, and insects is included as well as some preservation methods. The work appears to be aimed at collecters of rare books and libraries.

[Wan Peter]

How to handle books with care must be read especially those who throw their reading material around, especially mishandling of books.