Hints to Book-lovers

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 26, 11 January 1929, Page 13

Hints to Book-lovers

OW that so many good books can be obtained in editions to ‘suit all pockets, their ‘place in the decorative scheme of a room is more generally realised than was the case years ago, when books were expensive luxuries. The aim of every real lover of books is to make them last as long as possible, and to preserve them they must be carefully handled. When dusting, take two books and beat them together so that the dust is shaken out, To dust the dges merely rubs the dirt into the Soiled edges can be cleaned by he use of a soft piece of rubber or a little pumice powder, Household reference books that are constantly in use are liable to become soiled by finger marks or spotted with grease, which, if not dealt with, will spread through several pages. The former can usually be removed by dry breadcrumbs or a hard piece of rubber. To get rid of grease spots, sandwich the soiled page between two sheets of blotting. paper covered with powdered French chalk. When pressed with a warm iron the marks will disappear. Ink stains can be removed by the application of a weak solution of spirits of salts and water. When books are bound in leather, the covers can be revived with a good leather polish, or milk and the white of ess mixed in equal quantities,

If the leather is dirty, it should be cleaned first with a soft, damp rag which has been dipped in warm water containing a few drops of vinegar, but the leather must be thoroughly dried before applying polish with a clean, soft duster. A common habit which is fatal to the appearance of any book is the turning down of the corner of a page to mark a particular place. Loose leaves and torn pages also give an untidy look, and they should be neatly repaired. ’ Weak bindings can be strengthened by a wide strip of linen glued inside the front and back covers where the pages join the binding. Mildew on covers can be removed by rubbing them with oil of lavender. Damp is most destructive to books, and they should be arranged in a dry room and dusted regularly if you want to keep them in good condition.