Talk:Foxing

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Leather bindings[edit]

Hmmm, is this why the soft leather binding of my copy of the 11th edition of the Britannica has brown covers which get my hands dirty when I touch them? If yes we could use it as a quite relevant example of foxing, depending on the type of binding. I am always amazed at the diversity of bindings in which the 11th edition came in. Forgot to sign AlainV 01:59, 2004 Apr 21 (UTC)

No, that's something else (don't know what...). Foxing affects the paper, not the leather bindings. - Nunh-huh 02:00, 21 Apr 2004 (UTC)

I realise this question is ancient, but just as a general information for anyone else experiencing the same, if your leather binding causes your hands to get brown when holding it, it means that it is dry and are in the process of deteriorating, and it is badly in need of a gentle polish of book oil or acid and colour free shoe shine. It will greatly increase the appearance as well as the durability of the binding. --Saddhiyama (talk) 18:34, 9 May 2012 (UTC)[reply]

If anyone is still following this discussion, the decay of leather bindings is more likely to be a case of Red rot. GrindtXX (talk) 18:34, 12 June 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Explanations[edit]

I don't feel confident enough about this topic to make any edit to the article, but this is the very first time that I have ever seen a Ferric OXide explanation. Every other commentary that I have ever seen about foxing has suggested that it was the suspected result of microorganisms/fungi, and have often mentioned that its origin remains mysterious. Never before have I ever seen anything about iron. I do like the etymology, but I have to wonder if it is correct since I have never seen this definition before, and I have often seen waffly comments as I describe above. Can anyone comment further? Moleskiner 02:41, 16 Feb 2005 (UTC)

This link suggests that the current explanation for the appearance of fox-stains is wrong. Ncik 23:16, 2 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

There seem to be multiple theories of foxing, involving either oxidation or fungi. The page referenced by Ncik makes no firm conclusion; it seems to go with the fungal theory, but also admits some role for iron oxidation. I added a section mentioning both theories. The last section on repairing foxing is preserved from the earlier version, but it seems too specific to me. gorlim 18:50, 11 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Another theory / reference: http://cantage.wordpress.com/2012/02/21/foxing/ Dead / dying fungus leaves a stain? Would explain the patterning mentioned in Ncik's reference. --Adx (talk) 09:44, 18 May 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Contagious?[edit]

Could someone please add a paragraph on the issue of whether a foxed document can contaminate an unfoxed document? Googled opinions seem divided. If the answer differs by the age of the paper, please cover that (e.g. 18th century documents vs. 20th century comic books). Thanks in advance. Bmwilcox (talk) 20:49, 26 May 2019 (UTC)[reply]

Foxing on fabric[edit]

This article talks mostly of paper, with the addition only that clothing can be 'made' to look foxed - only natural foxing does occur on fabric too. I have a number of old garments where the silk or cotton lining has been affected by foxing - it's not mould, either. Any thoughts? --Ineffablebookkeeper (talk) 13:50, 19 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]