For Rare Book Librarians, It’s Gloves Off. Seriously. NY Times (Paywall)

A great article. Thanks for the link Þ

Whats the reason, I'm curious but can't see it since its behind a paywall

To (politely) sum up the current consensus: Gloves reduce your sense of touch, increasing the likelihood that you might accidentally tear a page, smear pigments, dislodge loose fragments — or worse, drop the book.

And whatever their associations with cleanliness, cotton gloves attract dirt. They also tend to make hands sweat, generating moisture that can damage a page. Rubber gloves, while moisture-proof and generally better fitted to the hand, are too grabby.

While there are some exceptions, librarians overwhelming agree.

“The best way to handle a rare book,” said Mark Dimunation, the longtime head of the rare books and special collections division at the Library of Congress, “is with clean hands and caution.”

This article is referenced by the NY Times.

https://www.betweenthecovers.com/btc/articles/49

Thanks

Incidentally I read on the internet similar regarding leather bound books. They were designed to be held by hands to be lubricated by natural oils in the hands. People storing leather bound books in original packing risk the leather drying out and cracking in centrally heated homes and hence should be occasionally taken out and gently manually lubricated with suitable oil. Don't know if its true

I agree with what I read above about gloves and handling. But I also tend to think some sellers of books use them as a marketing ploy. A potential buyer may see someone handling a book with gloves and think wow, it must be a darn special thing being handled like that! Look at the care they’re taking. It must be rare and expensive!
Just my thought.

huan68 wrote:

I agree with what I read above about gloves and handling. But I also tend to think some sellers of books use them as a marketing ploy. A potential buyer may see someone handling a book with gloves and think wow, it must be a darn special thing being handled like that! Look at the care they’re taking. It must be rare and expensive!
Just my thought.

I think that is exactly why it is done, and also why you see them in the press and the media.