Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1885-12-05

aA~F ~ - &40&4M - A1WWA -
out Injury.
An adept in the art Of washing or
cleansing dirty books sends to the
Publishers Circular few plain d.
rections to be followed by those who
wish to cleanse their soiled volumes.
The amateur book cleanser had bet
ter begin TO practice on some worth
less volume until he acquires the me-
cessary skill. All the traces oflime
acid, ETC., used IN the cleaning pro-
cess must be removed from the book,
else in time it may be entirely de-
stroyed.
The first thing to be done in boob
that wants washing is to cut the
stitches and separate the work into
sheets. Then glance may be taken
for the separation Of those leaves or
sheets which have stains Of ink or
oil. The dirty leaves are now plac:
ed in bath composed Of a quarter
81 pound Of chloride OF lime and
the same quantity of soda to about
Il quart OF water. These are left to
soak until the paper has regained its
proper tint. The pages are now
lifted ont tenderly into second bath
Of cold, If possible, running water,
where they are left at least six hours.
This removes all traces Of lines
The paper, when thoroughly dried
by exposure, must be dipped into 1
third bath Of size and water, and
again laid out todry. This restores
the consistency Of the paper. Pres
sure between printers glazed boards
will then restore smoothness to the
leaves.
The toning Of the washed leaves
in accordance with the rest Of the
book is delicate process, which re-
quires some experiences. Some shay
tobacco stepped in hot water will
usually give the necessary coloring
matter, and bath in this liquid the
necessary tone.
The process described above may
do for water stains; but the pages
are dirtied by grease, oil, coffee, cam
die drippings or ink, different treat
ment will be required. Dilute spir.
It's Of salt with Ave times its bulk Of
water, and let the oil-stained pages
lie in the liquid for four minutes,
not longer, then remove and wash,
As before, in cold water. To remove
ink, solution Of oxalic, citric or
tartaric acid should be used, but
care must be taken in the washing
and sizing. If the grease is spot
in the middle Of ! page, place be-
tween two sheets Of blotting paper,
or cover il with powdered French
chalk (the blotting paper il prefera-
ble), and pass hot iron over the
place. This will melt the grease,
which il immediately soaked up BY
the chalk or paper.
For dirty finger marks the follow
ing is recommended: Cover the
mark with . piece Of clean, yellow
soap for two or three hours, then
wash with sponge and hot water
and dip the page in weak acid and
waite. Give another bath Of hot wa
ter and then thoroughly cleanse with
cold water.
To remove ink stains: Dip the
page in : strong solution Or oxalic
acid, then in = solution Or one part
hydrochloric acid and six parts u
water, after which battle in cold w.
ter and allow to dry slowly. Vel
lum covers which require cleaning
may be made almost equal to new
by washing with weak salts Of lem.
on; or, il not much soiled, warm
soap and water. Grease may be re-
moved from the covers OF bound
books by scraping little pipe clay,
French chalk or magnesia over the
place, and then ironing with an iron