What is foxing?
Those little freckles in old books are not always bad news.
Foxing is the brown spotting often found on older paper, particularly endpapers and page edges. It is common in antiquarian and sporting books, and a little of it can be part of the charm.
Condition matters. Light foxing is often acceptable, especially where the binding is sound and the text is clean. Heavy spotting, damp marks or a musty smell need a more careful look.
We describe foxing plainly because it affects both value and pleasure. A good book can still be a good book with a few freckles.
