How does sunlight affect trades over time?

[ohmshalone]

I recently moved my collection to a different place and wanted to know if my trades covers will lose their colour over time. I know this happened with a softcover novel I once put on display (but I think that was being bombarded by direct sunlight every day).

My collection won't be in direct sunlight, and there'll be closed in a cupboard, but there will be some 'spill' since there's a substantial gap between the door.

Can anyone give me any input on this?

[NZ_InFerno]

Any sunlight on them will fade books over time, if its not on them don't worry.

[ohmshalone]

You mean if it's not *directly* on them, right? Ambient light in the room wouldn't make a difference?

Also, does direct sunlight affect the colour on dustjackets and hardcovers?

Sorry for these very intricate questions, but I'd rather know early on based on you guys' experience than learn the hard way.

[Johnatellodi]

Can I throw another question out?

I hear a lot about smoke damage to books and while I don't smoke cigarettes, I am wondering if other types of medical smoke will do damage.

[ohmshalone]

Lol. Alright, alright. Forget that second post. I get it.

[Jeff Brady]

Can I throw another question out?

I hear a lot about smoke damage to books and while I don't smoke cigarettes, I am wondering if other types of medical smoke will do damage.

Define "medical smoke".

[SJNeal]

Can I throw another question out?

I hear a lot about smoke damage to books and while I don't smoke cigarettes, I am wondering if other types of medical smoke will do damage.

Yes, weed smoke will have the same effect as cigarette/cigar smoke. I've purchased trades from both eBay and from Amazon sellers that have arrived with a distinctly "medical" scent to them.

[SJNeal]

And on the subject of sunlight - one of the local shops here has a great selection of trades/hardcovers (many OOP), but the largest shelf is right in front of the shops only window. Every single book is completely faded along the spine. I've brought it to the owners attention (as I'm sure others have) but he doesn't seem to be concerned that it's costing him sales.

[kodave]

If it's UV in sunlight that fades/deteriorates the books, then theoretically indirect sunlight would harm books too, although at a slower rate than direct sunlight I'd guess. If the UV is filtered through glass, I don't know how much indirect sunlight still damages books or yellows pages.

I'm sure the answer is out there if you Google book and document preservation studies and science.

[ohmshalone]

Alrighty then. I think I have my answer. I've decided to cover my books with a cloth. Thanks guys for all the help.

P.S I thought the question about smoke was a joke.