Image-Based Quantitative Analysis of Foxing Stains on Old Printed Paper Documents

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.

Turning Image Sensors into Position and Time Sensitive Quantitative Colorimetric Data Sources with the Aid of Novel Image Processing/Analysis Software

“…Variations in pH values on individual test strips and among test strips were successfully and objectively estimated with pH value of 0.1 divisions without human error. The software was introduced a few years ago and is actively used in material science, semiconductor industry, medical science, cultural heritage, and conservation science with new applications being developed continuously [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 14 ].…”

“…Development of user friendly, flexible, yet powerful, image processing/analysis software is highly desired. As an initial step, PicMan has been developed as a standalone image processing/analysis software platform for a variety of applications including semiconductor, material science, MEMS, chemistry, biological, pharmaceutical, medical, cultural heritage, and emerging applications [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 14 ]. An understanding of physics of image sensors and development of additional functions of image sensors will broaden the field of applications [ 19 , 20 ].…”

“…A PC with newly developed image processing/analysis software (PicMan [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ] from WaferMasters, Inc., Dublin, CA, USA) capable of the desired features described above and a USB digital microscope were used for capturing still images and recording video images during pH test experiments using three refreshment drinks. Still and video image analysis is done using the image processing/analysis software.…”

“…In this paper, colorimetric quantification and dynamic analysis of various chemical properties from captured still images and recorded video images are proposed for accurate and objective characterization of experimental evidence acquired through solid-state image sensor(s) used in digital cameras, camcorders, smart phones, and digital microscopes. For colorimetric quantification and dynamic analysis examples of still and video images under various test and controlled (color and brightness varying) illumination conditions, images of pH tests using litmus paper strips and unreacted litmus test strips under the controlled illumination conditions are analyzed by novel image processing/analysis software (PicMan [ 9 , 10 , 11 ] from WaferMasters, Inc., Dublin, CA, USA) and proposed future applications.…”

Digital Image Comparisons for Investigating Aging Effects and Artificial Modifications Using Image Analysis Software

“…A few application examples of image analysis software (PicMan) have been previously reported (Yoo et al, 2017;Yoo et al, 2019;Kim et al, 2019;Yoo et al, 2020b;Yoo and Yoo, 2020;Ryu et al, 2020). As all images are either digitally generated ("born-digital") or transformed to digital images via scanning or photography, having quantitative image analysis and comparison capabilities is becoming increasingly important for record keeping (archiving) and reference establishment for evaluation of aging-related changes and restoration of cultural heritages.…”