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Book restoration in Seattle

I have a sturdy college botany textbook from the 1920s with some minor mold damage, particularly to the back cover.

I should note a few things:
1. I know nothing about book restoration.
2. As far as I know, the book isn't rare and has no significant monetary value. However, it was my grandfather's college botany textbook, so its value is entirely sentimental. As the only scientist in my family, I inherited it after he died.
3. The mold damage didn't occur here. My grandfather had kept the book in his garden shed in Arkansas for many years, and I guess the mold damage occurred there after it got a little wet.

Is there some way I can remove the mold myself without doing damage to the book? Is this something I could take to a book restoration business, or will they laugh me out the door? Will I just have to live with the mold?

If you think I could take it to a restoration business, could you recommend a place in Seattle? I should note that I'm in graduate school now, so I'm not exactly overflowing with money. But, if there's a way I could save this book, I'd like to try!

James asked in Other Books & Writing about 1 year ago | Report

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  • 2008_0522stuff0016_small
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    If it's still damp and actively molding, put the book in a frost-free freezer--this will remove the water and stop the mold while you look for someone who can fix the book for you. It's what the library at which I used to work had to do when the building flooded.

    Sorry I'm not of more help.

    Griffin answered in Other Books & Writing about 1 year ago | Report
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