Why Do Book Pages Turn Brown

I just opened some old (3-4years) books that i hadn't even touched for a few years and am devastated to see that they've all become yellowed and have brown and dark yellow spots all over the pages, some covers and pages have these brown/black dots on them, looks like if you'd stab a page with the tip of your pen, where'd this come from? Foxing Heavy foxing on the title page of an 1832 textbook Foxing is an age-related process of deterioration that causes spots and browning on paper documents such as books, postage stamps, old paper money and certificates, and on textiles like clothing and artists' canvasses. If you love books and try diligently to take care of them, it can be distressing to find that the pages of some of your classic collectibles no longer look pristine.

You find you are downgrading their condition from good to fair, just because of the brown spots (also called foxing), yellowing, or browning over the pages. Should I Throw Away Books With Foxing? Choosing whether to throw away books with foxing, which causes spots on pages, is a common problem for book lovers. Foxing makes us think differently about the value of books, not just as objects, but as keepers of knowledge and history.

Book leaves that are more brown and brittle along the edges than in the center clearly illustrate this absorption of pollutants from the air. Research by the Library of Congress has demonstrated that cellulose itself generates acids as it ages, including formic, acetic, lactic, and oxalic acids. Have you ever wondered why paper turns brown with age.

In this blog post we aim to touch on this extensive subject, discussing internal and external contributing factors to give you an insight into the reasons why. The Silent Partner: Oxygen 🌬️ Oxidation is a big reason for your books turning yellow or brown. Oxygen feeds the lignin and speeds up its effects.

Prevention is Better Than Cure 🛡️ Now that we know the causes i.e. oxidation and photodegradation, it's easier to figure out ways to keep newer books looking fresh and bright. Discover what foxing in books is, its causes, and how to prevent it in your collection to maintain their value and quality.

Browning of paper in old books are caused by Oxidation of Celluose. Paper is mainly made up of white cellulose but it also contains lignin present in the wood which when exposed to the air and sunlight turns the paper Yellowish/Brownish. Lignin is a polymer which makes the wood of the trees stiff to make trees stand upright as well as it also protects it from pests and other damage.

Age Tanning and Spotting: Because of the effect of UV rays and oxidation, paper will gradually turn yellow or sepia coloured and may become brittle. Generally used paper is naturally acidic which is why collectors like to wrap books in acid free tissue paper or use other archival quality papers. The natural aging process of books does not have to be a major problem if the books are properly.