What does foxing mean on old paper?

Foxing refers to the small brown or reddish spots that often appear on older paper. It is an oxidation process linked to iron impurities in the paper reacting with ambient humidity. Mould spores sometimes cause a similar effect. Most collectors accept a mild amount of foxing as a normal sign of age. You can have a conservator wash the paper, but this risks weakening the sheet.

My grandmother left me a big collection of old bird pictures from a book, how do I know what the margins should look like?

Margins on book plates vary depending on how the original volume was bound. Binders often trimmed the edges to make the pages uniform, meaning antique prints frequently left the bindery with narrow margins. Later owners sometimes cropped them further to fit a specific frame size. A full margin is preferred by collectors, but it remains uncommon for plates extracted from bound periodicals.

Can I hang early etchings near a window?

It is prudent to keep works on paper away from direct sunlight. Ultraviolet light breaks down the paper fibres and causes irreversible darkening over time. Hang them in shaded areas or use framing glass with protective coatings to mitigate the risk.

I have a few old architectural engravings that are still bound inside a heavy book, is it better to take them out to frame them?

Dealers and collectors debate this. Keeping them bound protects the paper from light damage and preserves the historical context of the original publication. Removing plates compromises the integrity of the book. However, many damaged or incomplete volumes are routinely broken up by the trade to salvage the surviving plates for individual framing. If the binding is sound, leaving it intact is usually the responsible choice.

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Antique Prints from the 18th Century

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Produced before the age of mass photography, antique prints are images transferred to paper from inked plates or carved blocks, providing a vital way to circulate visual information.

18th century

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18th Century Engraving Antiquities of Athens James Basire Architecture

From Karen Tarleton

£150

APPROVED 3+ MONTHS AGO

art

Follower of William Marlow, 1740-1813
The Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St Saviour & St Mary Overie, Southwark, with Stone Masons & Surveyor in the Foreground

18th century

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Follower of William Marlow, 1740-1813 The Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St Saviour & St Mary Overie, Southwark, with Stone Masons & Surveyor in the Foreground

From Artware Fineart

£1,200

APPROVED 3+ MONTHS AGO

art

After George Dionysius Ehert (1708-1770) Hand Coloured Engraving, Haemanthus Colchici Foliis from Plantae Selectae, Plate Xliv

18th century

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After George Dionysius Ehert (1708-1770) Hand Coloured Engraving, Haemanthus Colchici Foliis from Plantae Selectae, Plate Xliv

From Mark Davis Antiques

£250

APPROVED 3+ MONTHS AGO

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Antique Prints from the 18th Century

18th Century Engraving Antiquities of Athens James Basire Architecture

Follower of William Marlow, 1740-1813 The Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St Saviour & St Mary Overie, Southwark, with Stone Masons & Surveyor in the Foreground

After George Dionysius Ehert (1708-1770) Hand Coloured Engraving, Haemanthus Colchici Foliis from Plantae Selectae, Plate Xliv

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