Poison Book Project

About this project:

The Poison Book Project identifies toxic heavy metal pigments – like arsenic-based emerald green – in Victorian bookbindings and explores how to handle and store these potentially hazardous books more safely. 

Their research team developed an emerald green color swatch bookmark to help the public identify arsenic in historical books. This bookmark allows institutions or private individuals to target the books of greatest concern in their collections and make the most efficient and cost-effective use of a consultant to perform instrumental analysis.

More than 10,000 bookmarks have been provided to book-collecting individuals and institutions all over the world, and the demand for bookmarks is growing. Supporting this project ensures the Poison Book Project can continue its community outreach efforts in the coming academic year.

Learn more about The Poison Book Project while enjoying their recent appearance on the Antiques Roadshow Detours podcast, episode 2, “The Most Dangerous Book”.

The Poison Book Project is an interdisciplinary research initiative at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library and the University of Delaware.

How your support makes a difference!

Thank you for helping the Poison Book Project continue to distribute its color swatch bookmarks in the next academic year. Your gift not only supports the bookmark printing and postage expenses, but will also support a UD student employee to manage the bookmark mailings. Thank you for helping to keep book-lovers safe from toxic historical books!