How to Protect an Antique Bible
If you have an old family Bible, or one you picked up from a flea market or an auction, you will want to do what you can to protect it. Though you cannot store your Bible under the same well-monitored conditions as a large library or museum, and even the best preserved books cannot last forever, you can take steps to ensure that the antique Bible in your possession will last much longer than it would if not properly protected.
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Instructions
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Purchase an archival, acid-free box made for valuable books to store the antique Bible in, preferably a box that is custom made to fit the bible. If you wish to display the Bible, consider having an archival quality glass case made for it.
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Avoid handling the Bible as much as possible. Keeping it in its archival box or glass display case will protect it from dust and from the handling that results from dusting.
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Store the antique Bible so it lies flat, as having it stand straight up can warp the cover, as well as weaken the spine, which could then cause pages to separate.
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Keep the Bible in a place with a cool temperature, ideally between 65° F and 70° F. Avoid storing it in an attic or other places that often have high temperatures or places where the temperature may fluctuate widely.
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Keep it in a place with low humidity. Do not store it in a basement or any other place likely to be damp.
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Keep it out of ultraviolet light sources such as sunlight and fluorescent lights.
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Do not treat the leather binding with oil. Some oils are inappropriate for certain leather bindings and could ruin them. Many experts have turned away from using oils at all. Seek the advice of a book conservator about which oils, if any, you should use.
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For any repairs, take the antique Bible to an expert conservator.
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References
- Photo Credit old leather bound bible image by Bruce Amos from Fotolia.com
