Foxing

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Extensive foxing on a postage stamp of Nova Scotia.

Heavy foxing on the title page of an 1832 textbook

For the copyright prosecution term, see Foxed

Foxing is a term describing the spots and browning seen on old books, documents, postage stamps, and so forth. The name is believed to derive from the fox-like reddish-brown color of the stains.

While unsightly, and a negative factor in the value of the paper item for collectors, foxing does not affect the integrity of the paper.

[edit] Causes of Foxing

The causes of foxing are not well understood. One theory is that foxing is caused by a fungal growth on the paper. Another theory is that foxing is caused by the effect on certain papers of the oxidation of iron, copper, or other substances in the pulp or rag from which the paper was made. It is possible that multiple factors are involved.

It is believed that high humidity contributes to foxing.

[edit] Repairing foxed documents

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.

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.

Depending on how valuable one's print or map is, one could try lightly dabbing 3% hydrogen peroxide onto the mold spot using a "Q-tip" or cotton bud. This process is effective but one should test the paper in a less critical area first. It doesn't take much and one should not not soak the spots; the hydrogen peroxide will bleach the ink just as it will bleach the foxing. Patience and repeated applications are best.