039: The History of Arsenic Green and Poisonous Books

It's a History Podcast

Hello! Welcome to another episode of It's a History podcast! In this episode, we dive into the dark history of arsenic green during the Victorian Age, also known as Paris Green, and how it led to the creation of poisonous books. Starting with the origins and popularity of this bright green color, we explore its widespread use in clothing, wallpaper, and book covers, despite its well-known lethal effects. Learn about the severe health issues it caused, the delayed regulations, and the ultimate decline in its use. We also discuss the modern-day Poison Book Project which seeks to identify toxic books still in circulation. Join me as we unravel the past and discover why these poisonous books have become coveted collectibles today.

Sources include:

An article form the public domain review by adam green

https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/the-art-of-book-covers-1820-1914/

An article from rare book school that was curated by Vincent Golden

https://rarebookschool.org/all-programs/exhibitions/boundtoplease/#:~:text=In%20the%201820s%2C%20British%20and,and%20much%20cheaper%20than%20leather.&text=Cloth%20bindings%20employ%20smooth%20(or,colors%20tend%20to%20be%20dark.

An article titled the history of green dye is a history of death by Jennifer Wright.

https://www.racked.com/2017/3/17/14914840/green-dye-history-death

The national library of medicine.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3179678/

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