Evening star., 1945-10-17
This and That
By Charles Z. Tracepeu.

The physical handling Of books and
monograph record albums Is q vital
part OF their attraction to the discrim-
mating
To such person there is no such thing
as cheap book. There are only books
and records Of differing values.
All are lovable.
Things which are priced must be kept
clean.
After such humid summer as the
ono just past every effort should be
mace by the book and record enthusiast
TO remove all traces of mildew.
Dust will come away with the mil
dew. The latter comes in different col
ors and seems to attack by preference
books with red bindings and the back
bone OF record albums made Of a certain
type of imitation leather.
This cleaning Is not an easy job, nor
q short one.
1t Is an odd fact that almost invari-
ably such persons as have no record al
BUNS think that case Of them can be
cleaned In q few minutes.
Nothing could be further from the
truth. Several days may be consumed
improperly going over all the albums in
several cases
The connoisseur finds the effort worth
all 1t costs and gives him the satisfac-
ton Of feeling that his precious books
and records are safe for another winter.
Every record album must be taken
from the case and gone over individ-
ually.
1t will not do to take them out one at
time and replace them Immediately.
This will not allow for the cleaning of
the shelves and spaces to the rear.
1t Is amazing how much floor space
all the albums from case can cover.
1t would seem impossible to get them
all back where they came from, much
as 1t appears a big job to put all the
dirt back into hole
Each album should be gone over, front,
back and sides, with attention to the
insides Of the covers.
Usually it will be found that the rec
ords. owing to their shiny slick surfaces,
do not collect mildew
Any albums which have been laid fat
will gather the most Of all. Sometimes
1t will hy up like dust, but mostly it ad-
heres, leaving an almost Shiny feel to
the touch.
Mildew Is best removed with facial
tissues.
gentle but Arm pressure is used and
the tissue folded inward as the mold is
collected,
Too much pressure merely smears the
mildew, and makes 1t cling closer than
ever.
1t is here as with whiskers, too much
stress should not be placed upon COM
plete removal.
Many men make shaving a torture by
trying to shave too close. The wise man
does the best he can and lets perfection
60 until next time.
The record enthusiast removes as
much Of the mildew as he can and leaves
the rest to nature and a drier winter
house.
Actual record inspection should be left
to a later date. No chance whatever
should be taken of introducing any of
the mildew spores to the record surfaces.
Records occasionally mildew, but usu-
ally it is of a finer grained type than
that which besets the outsides Of al
buns.
Records kept in albums in cases pick
up practically no mildew, and very little
dust, but 1t is a good idea ct least once
. year to go over carefully all disks. one
by one. with soft linen handkerchief.
Such cleaning instrument is Is good
as the best record cleaning brush and by
many experienced hands preferred.
Such care as this not only insures the
welfare OF expensive and beautiful
things, but also gives great dea, of
pleasure In the simple handling. Try 1t
and go.