The smell of old books. There's a word for that, Catsbibliosmia, 😹 but seriously, it's called Bibliosmia. I love the smell of old books and Maggie loves it too.
I love collecting old books, not because of their distinctive odor although it is one of their capturing attributes but because I love the stories, the illustrations and of course their covers that draw me into their worlds.
The smell of old books derives from the Lignin content, the fibers, and chemicals used in the bookmaking of that particular book. Through time, the Lignin content breaks down to form compounds like vanillin and furfural, which are the elements that produce a smell much like vanilla and almond. Combine these scents with their environment they originated from, maybe from a house whose occupant loved coffee, loved plants and flowers, cats and dogs, all these components' odors play a part inoculating the book with its own beautiful and rare perfume.
So, I love sweets, especially ones made with vanilla, and almond and because I'm a diabetic the next best thing to the real sugar is the scent of an old book.
To be surrounded by volumes of old books, all keeping secrets. What a wonderful obsession!
PHOTOS BY M
