Brown spots and funky smells give second hand books a bad rep, but this author thinks there’s a case for buying preloved reads.
Personally, going to Bras Basah to browse and buy second hand books has always been a treat. I associate it with happier times spent with my parents searching for a book as a reward for getting good grades. These older books speak volumes to me and hold more than the story it contains. Each dog-eared page and bend in the spine traces the journey of each book. Where did it get more exciting? Which phrase struck a note? It’s especially thrilling to find scribbles from previous owners, which reveal new perspectives.
While I can see why the worn and tattered look might not appeal to most, there are plenty of yellowed books that are left on the shelf despite their almost pristine condition. And it is not because these books are mouldy and gross… it’s just science.
Effect of Light
Cellulose and lignin are two components of wood that makeup paper. Unfortunately, these same two oxidise when they’re exposed to any light through a process known as photooxidation. When that happens, the compound that appears when cellulose breaks down is the same compound that is responsible for generating the colour yellow.
Meanwhile, lignin is the "glue" that holds the cellulose fibres together, giving it a rigid structure. When lignin is exposed to oxygen, the paper becomes less durable and becomes crumbly. At the same time, the colour changes to a yellowish-brown. Over time, as lignin absorbs more light, this hue gets darker.
So, a good paper is not only acid-free but also wood-free, which reduces or eliminates lignin, that has a crucial role in paper disintegration. While those types of paper are able to turn yellow as well (at a slower pace), they have better durability as they contain no or little lignin. But since most books are not made from acid-free or wood-free paper, time and age inevitably give the paper its old, aged look. And as we know now - it’s a natural process.
Is Foxing Contagious?
Foxing is the name given to those brown blotches and spots on book pages that many mistakes to be mould. There are a few theories about what causes foxing. It could be due to metal residues such as iron, copper, and copper alloys that fly off machines during the papermaking process and land on the paper as dust which then oxidises, resulting in spots. Another factor could be microbes or fungi introduced to the paper during printing from the tools and surroundings. We may now see a similarity between those causes. Foxing in paper mostly occurs during the manufacturing process, whether it’s in the papermaking or printing processes.
However, the question remains unsolved. Is foxing contagious? The answer is no, foxing is not contagious because it has not been proven to affect the durability of a book. It is a pretty common occurrence, and many books will inevitably get foxed. I feel foxing spots are something like birthmarks since they're created during pregnancy, the human “manufacturing” system.
Ageing is Beautiful
The majority of the stigma associated with second hand books stems from the presence of mould and brittle paper, which contributes to the impression that old books are not worth it since they are not durable. All of this leads to the conclusion that yellowing books are not long-lasting. To debunk that myth, we must first understand where the yellow colour came from.
The ageing process is unstoppable and is a natural event, not a disease. Books, I believe, are similar to humans. They get older. People's hair greys or whitens. Books turn yellow or brown as they age. They get a few wrinkles. Books too. What's the big deal? They have the right to show their age when they've been around for a while. But, just as humans can use skincare to slow down the ageing process, we can do the same to books with proper care.
All books are beautiful in their distinct shapes, hues, and textures. They are valuable in their own way as long as they can be read. In my opinion, the colour yellow is not a flaw, but a beauty mark, similar to freckles and moles on human skin that distinguishes them from other individuals. So, do not fear yellowing books and start embracing them. They have history to tell.
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