Is foxing "contagious"?

[divad]

I searched the board and couldn't find anything about this; I read in other places on the net that it is 'contagious' (i.e. that a book with foxing can cause other books to fox) but cannot find how badly.

 

So if I have a couple of books with moderate foxing should I keep them away from other books? Can it spread between books that are in individual mylar/boards but kept in the same box?

 

Great question. Over the years I have seen foxing on books in the middle of a long box...maybe 4-5 of them. The books that they were next to had no foxing, just the small cluster of books. I would imagine that it could spread if conditions were right (if it truly is a mold). In this case I would say better to be safe than sorry.

 

These were unbagged books, yes?

[divad]

In this case I would say better to be safe than sorry.

 

This.

 

Keep questionable books away from the rest of your collection, or better yet upgrade the issue(s) to non affected copies.

 

Yes, always good advice here.

 

Whatever caused the initial foxing was more then likely moisture related.

 

Almost every chemical and biological reaction on this planet is "moisture related".

 

While it may not be 100% certain if foxing is, or isn't mold related. If a book might contain a dormant spores vector that could land on another book. And even if conditions never become ideal to promote the foxing/mold spores to become active again. Why take the chance.

 

With slight modification.

 

 

That said,as an experiment. I took several books last year that displayed what I thought was pretty severe mold, and rubbed them against a few reader comics. Put them in a long box and sprayed the lid with water to create a humid environment. Have sprayed the lid once a week or more since then.

 

All I have so far are some slightly warped, rusted comics. With no mold growth on the reader comics. Yet.

 

 

Isaac Newton, you're not.

[divad]

I should add, most books that display moderate foxing(brownish, rust looking spots or splotches) are not going to "contaminate" your collection, and should not be a worry.

 

Foxing is typically pretty benign, especially given how we all store comics today.

 

On the other hand...books that look like they have some sort of fuzzy cheese growing on the cover, should be put in quarantine.

 

 

Good, sensible advice here.

[PovertyRow]

 

I think a good starting point is to get an old, SA or earlier, reader as cheaply as possible and store it, under "normal" conditions, in the same bag as a foxed book. If the book is foxed on one side only make sure the book is in contact with that side. Monitor it over time to gauge any transference.

 

Probably valid methodology, but I doubt you will be patient enough to make any observations.

 

Oh but I have just concluded my observations and the result is:

 

 

 

 

 

[sacentaur]

I have at least a hundred books (mostly GA Larsons) with various levels of foxing, and in 30+ years have never noticed anything unusual (i.e., no worsening or spreading or whatever).

 

As mentioned above, foxing indicates a prior presence of moisture (which also unfortunately could mean rusty staples); however, the trade-off is usually nice, supple paper quality (like the Larson pedigree books).

 

I'd much rather have a book with foxing as opposed to a multitude of various other defects, but that's just a personal preference.

[VintageComics]

I have at least a hundred books (mostly GA Larsons) with various levels of foxing, and in 30+ years have never noticed anything unusual (i.e., no worsening or spreading or whatever).

 

As mentioned above, foxing indicates a prior presence of moisture (which also unfortunately could mean rusty staples); however, the trade-off is usually nice, supple paper quality (like the Larson pedigree books).

 

I'd much rather have a book with foxing as opposed to a multitude of various other defects, but that's just a personal preference.

 

Yup, I've been saying it for some time: books with foxing seem to have above average paper quality for some reason - the books feel strong and supple, the pages are white and the books feel fresh and brand new. Whatever it is, it's not all negative.

 

Larsons are a perfect example although I've owned several "Larson type" books with similar qualities.

[divad]

I have at least a hundred books (mostly GA Larsons) with various levels of foxing, and in 30+ years have never noticed anything unusual (i.e., no worsening or spreading or whatever).

 

As mentioned above, foxing indicates a prior presence of moisture (which also unfortunately could mean rusty staples); however, the trade-off is usually nice, supple paper quality (like the Larson pedigree books).

 

I'd much rather have a book with foxing as opposed to a multitude of various other defects, but that's just a personal preference.

 

Yup, I've been saying it for some time: books with foxing seem to have above average paper quality for some reason - the books feel strong and supple, the pages are white and the books feel fresh and brand new. Whatever it is, it's not all negative.

 

Larsons are a perfect example although I've owned several "Larson type" books with similar qualities.

 

Foxing on interior pages is certainly more common with GA paper stock - higher quality (more pulp, more fibers, more iron = more foxing). Added to that, is the fact that everyone here with such books, worships them as much as the Porsche in the garage, and takes great care in their current storage . . .

 

I have never observed any worsening with books that I have owned. Also note: foxed books do not (necessarily) smell.