Foxing
From Free net encyclopedia
Image:Stamp.novascotia.500pix.jpg
- For the copyright prosecution term, see Foxed
Foxing (from the fox-like color of the stains) is the effect on certain papers of the oxidation of iron or other substances in the pulp or rag from which the paper was made. It is responsible for the spots and browning seen on old books, documents, postage stamps, and so forth.
While unsightly, and a negative factor in the value of the paper item for collectors, foxing does not affect the integrity of the paper.
There is a product called FOXIT to remove foxing. The problem with using proprietary bleaches to remove foxing is that they invariably affect the integrity of the paper and the paper has to be subsequently resized.
The question of using laser-based techniques to remove foxing stains from old paper is a potential solution to the problem. The use of lasers however, at longer wavelengths, is usually accompanied by side effects, since the affected areas requires higher laser energies[1] to be cleaned.