Abstract
We studied the feasibility of image-based quantitative analysis of foxing stains on collections of old (16th–20th century) European books stored in the Rare Book Library of the Seoul National University in Korea. We were able to quantitatively determine the foxing affected areas on books from their photographs using a newly developed image processing software (PicMan) including cultural property characterization applications, specifically. Dimensional and color analysis of photographs were successfully done quantitatively. Histograms of RGB (red, green, blue) pixels of photographs clearly showed the change in color distribution of foxing stains compared to the other areas of the photographs. Several sample images of quantitative measurement of foxing stains and virtually restored images were generated to provide easy visual inspection and comparison between restored images and the original photographs. Image quality, resolution, and digital file format requirements for quantitative analysis are described. Image-based quantitative analysis of foxing stains on paper documents are found to be very promising towards automation for objective characterization of photographs of cultural properties. This technique can be used to create a cultural property digital database. Quantitative and statistical analysis techniques can be introduced to monitor the effect of storage and conservation environment on the cultural properties.
Highlights
Digital archiving, image analysis, and virtual restoration of ancient documents, photographs, art pieces, and cultural heritages are of growing interest [1,2,3,4]
Appropriate digital photographic images are a great source of information for non-contact and non-destructive quantitative characterization and recording of conditions of cultural heritages, including old paper documents, at the time of photographing
We studied the feasibility of image-based quantitative analysis of foxing stains on collections of old (16th–20th century) European books stored in the Rare Book Library of the Seoul National University in Korea
Summary
Image analysis, and virtual restoration of ancient documents, photographs, art pieces, and cultural heritages are of growing interest [1,2,3,4]. As digital photography and imaging technology continues to improve, the potential for the manipulation and use of digital images increases as well. Digital photographic images can be very useful for non-contact, non-destructive quantitative characterization and measurement of physical dimensions, and distribution of color and brightness at the image plane, provided that digital photographic images have negligible distortion, color shift, white balance, and contrast related problems [5,6]. Appropriate digital photographic images are a great source of information for non-contact and non-destructive quantitative characterization and recording of conditions of cultural heritages, including old paper documents, at the time of photographing. By comparing photographs taken at different points in time, the change in conditions of cultural properties can be characterized and quantified for record keeping and making rational decisions towards optimization of conservation conditions and restoration [5,6]
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