Brown spots or stains that appear on old paper, prints, and books due to mold, humidity, or chemical reactions in the paper. It is a common form of deterioration in works on paper.
Named for the reddish-brown color resembling fox fur, first recorded in the 19th century as paper conservation became a concern. The term may also relate to 'fox' as a verb meaning to discolor or stain.
Foxing is like acne for antique books and prints – it's caused by iron impurities in paper reacting with moisture and oxygen over decades! Conservators can sometimes remove foxing, but the process is so delicate that many collectors prefer to live with these 'age spots' rather than risk damaging the artwork.
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