Hi Alice, Maybe this is why the books from the 1800s are still in good condition. Wood pulp papers disintegrate over time and the Library of Congress has a lot of them going to pieces. Bits of paper all over the floor where the books are kept in storage racks. The older books made with rag pulp have lasted very well. Tom Powell History Using wood to make paper is a fairly recent innovation. In the 1800s, _fiber crops_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiber_crop) such as _linen_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linen) fibres were the primary material source, but a shortage led to contemporaries as _dime novels_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dime_novel) or _penny dreadfuls_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penny_Dreadful) . I also have books from the 1800's that are still in good shape! I was taught "take care of something and it will last a long time" so I do and it does. Alice <BR><BR><BR>**************************************<BR> AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com.