How to preserve your omnibuses: a practical guide for collectors

A well-maintained omnibus can last for decades with hardly any visible deterioration. A poorly maintained one can lose its collector’s value within months. The difference does not lie in having museum-grade humidifiers or glass display cases: it lies in following five or six basic practices that any collector can adopt. This guide summarises them.

1. Store upright, never stacked horizontally

Omnibuses should always be stored upright on a shelf, just like any conventional book. Never stacked horizontally on top of one another. The weight of one omnibus on top of another warps the dust jacket and the top spine of the book below over time.

If you have to stack them due to lack of space, do not put more than two omnibus volumes in the same stack and change the order every few months.

2. Just enough space, not crammed

On the bookshelf, omnibus volumes should sit comfortably close together but without any lateral pressure. If you have to force the ones next to it to remove one, they are too tightly packed. If they fall to one side when you remove one, they are too loose.

Constant lateral pressure distorts the dust jacket and can crease the spine. The opposite (a half-empty shelf with books leaning) is even worse.

3. Direct sunlight: always avoid

UV rays destroy the colours of dust jackets in a matter of months. A newly bought omnibus left in the sun for an hour a day will have a faded dust jacket within a year.

Simple rule: the bookshelf must not be exposed to direct sunlight at any time of day. If you have a window nearby, gauge the light with your hand: if you see a shadow cast across the spine, that spot is no good.

4. Humidity and temperature

Premium paper and sewn binding are stable under normal living conditions. Real problems:

• Humidity above 65%: this can cause the paper to curl and weaken the binding adhesive. Typical in unventilated basements and attics.
• Humidity below 30%: can cause the paper to become brittle and the dust jacket to crack. Typical of rooms with strong heating in winter.
• Temperatures above 28 °C: weaken adhesives and may cause the plastic of the dust jacket to stick to the cardboard of the adjacent book.

Ideal conditions: 18–22 °C and 40–55% humidity. You don’t need a museum-grade hygrometer: a normal room with moderate ventilation is more than adequate.

5. Cleaning

Do not use chemical products. Not window cleaner, detergents or furniture polishes. Any of these will damage the dust jacket’s finish and may leave permanent stains.

For dust: a dry microfibre cloth, gently wiped over the spine and cover. For accidental stains: a slightly damp microfibre cloth (water only), dry immediately with a dry cloth.

Do not open the book to clean the inside pages unless necessary. The very act of repeatedly opening an omnibus weakens the binding over time. The less handling, the better the preservation.

6. Transport and handling

If you need to move an omnibus (moving house, posting, etc.), wrap it in bubble wrap and place it in a sturdy box that fits snugly, never loosely. Movement inside a box that is too large is what causes damage to corners and spines.

Do not use adhesive tape or duct tape directly on the dust jacket. Any adhesive leaves residue and can tear the top layer when removed.

7. The debate over the seal

Many collectors leave their omnibus volumes sealed to maintain their resale value. This is perfectly legitimate but comes at a cost: you never read them. If you bought the omnibus to read it, the seal is unnecessary. If you bought it as an investment, leave it sealed.

At Omnibus Store, we recommend honesty: if it’s for reading, break the seal on the first day and enjoy it. Omnibuses are books made to be read. If they’re for investment, buy two: one sealed and one to read.

Summary in 6 rules

1. Vertical, never stacked
2. Just the right amount of space, neither too tight nor too loose
3. No direct sunlight
4. 18–22 °C and 40–55% humidity
5. Clean with a dry microfibre cloth
6. The less handling, the better

With these six rules, a collection of omnibus editions can last for decades without visible deterioration. If you have specific queries about a particular case, please write to us.