The enemies of books

We are currently reviewing our disaster recovery plans, and what we would do in the event of a major incident affecting the collections in London.

This gem of a book from 1888 (The Enemies of Books, by William Blades) reminds us that our forbears had similar concerns - and a shrewd grasp of where disaster might lie!

William Blades' list:
-Fire
-Water
-Gas and heat
-Dust and neglect
-Ingorance and bigotry
-Bookbinders
-Servants and children
-The bookworm
-Other vermin