Caring for your books

[AwesomeOpossum74]

I'm the proud owner of all three 1st edition core reprints. I'm sure they'll get well used for the duration of my DnD "career". So far they are living in a satchel. And when they are removed, they are carefully handled.

I'm wondering how you guys try to keep your books in good shape?

Also, while I like the newness of these books, I'm stuck as to whether I should do my best to keep them in great shape, or just forget about it, and allow them to show their age as they get used over time. There's something to be said about a book that has visible history.

 

[kitcik]

I don't mind the "happily worn" look, so I just try to avoid using them as coasters or napkins (or letting my players do so).

 

[Jeff Carlsen]

In my mind, RPG books have two purposes: to have them or to use them. They come in hard covers with sewn bindings because they're meant for heavy use. So, unless you plan to leave it on your shelf forever, I say let them get worn.

 

[Stormonu]

I've used Dragonskins (vinyl book covers) on my 2E books for 2 reasons. The primary reason was that my 1E books lived in my backpack (during my school days) and got quite the scuffing. The second was that I never liked the covers of the ol' 2E books...

I should say that I only recently replaced my 1E DMG just before they announced the 1E reprints. So even with that wear, it still survived for about 28 years ('84 - '12), with 6 of those years being taken to school every day in a jam-pack full backpack. My 2E books with the Dragonskin covers look like I just bought them yesterday ('89 to current).

 

[Dandu]

Flash drive

 

[Sekhmet]

On my original AD&D and 2E books, the damage is quite clear. Coffee stains, sticky pages, the back cover of my Deities and Demigods is completely gone, my Monster Manual is missing it's index page, etc.
My father shipped them around in a sea bag, he used them with a party of 5 to 10 year old kids, he ate chili over them, etc.

Aside from the Monster Manual, everything has the original pages and functions perfectly well within nominal constraints.

 

[Treebore]

I keep them in dry areas, on bookshelves, out of the sun light. Its the best you can do without installing climate control systems and wearing gloves every time you touch them.

When I handle them I always open them either on flat table tops, or if I have to hold them I never "over" open. In fact I keep them slightly bent in the "closed" direction, so I do not over stress the spine in the wrong direction. I also never hold the book by only one cover, letting the other hang, with only the one side taking all the stress. I also at least wipe my hands, preferably wash them, to make sure I get as little dirt and oils as possible on the books at the time.

You can wear gloves every time you use them, but I doubt you will do that. I don't, too much of a hassle in my opinion.

My big failure has been with boxed sets. Now I am much smarter, keep them on end, on book shelves, putting nothing on top of them. When I open them I do so carefully, and as evenly, as I can. The booklets inside I never open to be flat, I always let them be somewhat closed, because the spines will not hold up to repeated stresses, so I stress them as little as possible while I use them. Plus all the above stated precautions.

 

[AwesomeOpossum74]

Interesting, but not unexpected, responses. It's sort of like buying a brand new car. You absolutely dread the first scuff or dent, but once you get it, you just shrug any new ones off as part of the car's personality.

... and my car's got lots of personality.

When I open my friend's original 1E PHB it honestly feels like it emanates its history. The book is worn, but in good shape considering it went with him to the ARMY in the late 70's-early 80's, and came back. While it's fun to have my books, that feeling does not yet exist for them.

In my mind, RPG books have two purposes: to have them or to use them.

Yes, and this is the battle that rages within me. I have an innate need to keep my property in great condition. For instance, I rebuild retro game consoles (Ataris, etc.) When I am done, they usually work and look brand new. I am meticulous about keeping them dust free and safe from damage. But I know they also have a history of their own. Those scratches and names written in marker mean something, and are a reminder of days when I, and other kids my age were growing up. Those days are gone, with only these markings to remember them by.

Therefore, I have these nice new books. To keep them nice means I would have nice things years from now. But I would not be able to use them heavily without worrying about wearing them out. On the other hand, if I allow them to wear, then they will show a history that I can remember and smile on years from now. And maybe my kids would eventually be able to look on them and remember when we played.

 

[Man in the Funny Hat]

The ultimate goal of any RPG game book is to become WELL-used. Failure to achieve that state is tantamount to failure of the game it describes.

 

[frankthedm]

Caring for my books generally involves re-gluing spines or drilling through the joint to thread wire through like giant staples.