EdoHart
Grasshopper
Today I acquired what I believe to be an original copy of the "Fourth Annual Report of the United States Geological Survey to the Secretary of the Interior 1882-'83" by J. W. Powell, director (from the title page) for the staggering price of $0.50. The spine of the book says "United States Geological Survey. J.W. Powell, Director, Fourth Annual Report, 1882-1883." See the picture below of the title page. I haven't touched anything beyond the title page. The cover is a bit thread bear and the edges of the pages have a layer of dust on them.
I'll be searching the internet for the best ways to preserve a book, but if any of you have suggestions (other than to handle it only while wearing cotton gloves in order to keep my skin acid off the paper, which I already know about), I would appreciate it. I assume I should at least clean the dust off it, though the dust may be acting as a barrier to other pollutants. I would like to eventually read the book, but for now, I want ensure it doesn't disintegrate while in my care.
I'll be searching the internet for the best ways to preserve a book, but if any of you have suggestions (other than to handle it only while wearing cotton gloves in order to keep my skin acid off the paper, which I already know about), I would appreciate it. I assume I should at least clean the dust off it, though the dust may be acting as a barrier to other pollutants. I would like to eventually read the book, but for now, I want ensure it doesn't disintegrate while in my care.
