Enbalmed in the closed stacks

For economy of space as well as of temper (for lamps of all kinds are sore trials), I had a gasalier of three lights over the table. The effect was to cause great heat in the upper regions [...]; the backs of the books on the top shelves were perished, and crumbled away when touched, being reduced to the consistency of Scotch snuff.

William Blades, The Enemies of Books (London: E. Stock, 1888).

"Red rot" is a form of leather decomposition familiar to archivists, conservation librarians, and bibliophiles: humidity and light and handling turn old book bindings into a weak, powdery felt. It is sometimes treated with a mixture of wax, resin, ethanol, and hydroxypropylcellulose, created at the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts in Philadelphia and dubbed "red rot cocktail".

A more palatable mixture of the same name was concocted in November for a party at the hallowed Boston Athenaeum:

To one jigger of London dry gin add one half ounce each of St. Germain elderflower liqueur, Cherry Heering and fresh lemon juice, and two goodly dashes of Peychaud’s bitters. Shake vigorously with ice and turn into a champagne saucer.

For further details on the soiree and its drinks, see Drinkboston.com: "The Most Fun I Ever Had At A Library". (Comments include a list of 1920s terms for "drunk".)

Image from the State Library of Victoria, Australia.