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Kaufman's books stink!

Posted: July 20th, 2001, 11:03 am
by Richard Kaufman
Literally, sometimes the glue smells like old apples when the books are fresh from the printer. :D

Re: Kaufman's books stink!

Posted: July 20th, 2001, 11:57 am
by Joe M. Turner
Anyone who wants to get rid of their stinking Kaufman books can send them to me and I'll be happy to dispose of them.

JMT

Re: Kaufman's books stink!

Posted: July 20th, 2001, 3:32 pm
by Guest
OK!!

[ July 20, 2001: Message edited by: Ken Scott ]

Re: Kaufman's books stink!

Posted: July 22nd, 2001, 2:57 am
by Dustin Stinett
Speaking of odors: I purchased several books from the Jennings collection that Michael Close has been selling on eBay (the proceeds going to BJ Jennings). The books, some in my possession now for quite a few months, still smell of cigarettes! Any ideas how to rid them of it? It doesn't seem to be going away on its own. Apparently the apple smell does - I've never noticed it. And no, Joe, I will NOT be needing your disposal services!

Thanks!
Dustin (hyper-sensitive snoz) Stinett

Re: Kaufman's books stink!

Posted: July 22nd, 2001, 3:07 am
by Guest
Hey D:

I find simply lighting a nice smelly cheroot covers that awful cigarette smell in short order.

Hope this helps.

The good Doctor DUK.

Re: Kaufman's books stink!

Posted: July 22nd, 2001, 3:20 am
by Dustin Stinett
Leave it to a newsman to cover the smell of a cigarette with that of a cigar!

Only you Dr. DUK!

When's your next trip down in this here direction?
D

Re: Kaufman's books stink!

Posted: July 22nd, 2001, 11:24 am
by Matthew Field
I've found strong odors issuing from John Luka's "L.I.N.T.", Harvey Berg's "Intercept," Roger Crosthwaites "Arcardia," and several Paul Gordon books. Among others.

Matt Field

Re: Kaufman's books stink!

Posted: July 22nd, 2001, 12:32 pm
by Richard Kaufman
I have a few books from Ed Marlo's library that still reek of cigar smoke many years later. Not much you can do!
My collection of DeLand gimmicked cards came mostly from Chet Karkut, who was a notorious chain smoker. The smell is finally beginning to abate. :rolleyes:

Re: Kaufman's books stink!

Posted: July 22nd, 2001, 12:48 pm
by Guest
A serious response to the reeking book problem:

I too have bought a number of LJ's books, in addition to books from Don Alan's estate sale, not to mention volumes from numerous anonymous butt-suckers.

Although I usually don't do anything about cig stench, as I perversely find something "romantic" in the image I conjure of the previous owner studying my book into the wee hours of the morning, lighting one fag after another.

But to remove the stink, place the book in your freezer, being careful not to leave the book(s) touching the frost or ice, with a open box of baking soda sitting atop. Two or three days should do it :cool: .

***** Campbell

Re: Kaufman's books stink!

Posted: July 22nd, 2001, 2:49 pm
by Joe M. Turner
I've bought scads of used books that smelled of old cigars and cigarettes. It's kind of charming in its own way -- makes me think of musty, smoky back-rooms of shops or homes where people were studying the books...

JMT

Re: Kaufman's books stink!

Posted: July 24th, 2001, 3:14 am
by Guest
I'll take cigarette smells any day over rank musty old ship-smalling odors.

Not much in the way of making these things just go away, however, I'm afraid.

Very afraid... :(

Re: Kaufman's books stink!

Posted: July 24th, 2001, 4:01 pm
by Jim Morton
I've never had to worry about the odor of the books. Ever since my nose surgery, I can't even smell ammonia. :(

Re: Kaufman's books stink!

Posted: July 25th, 2001, 1:54 am
by Bill Mullins
Ever buy a book from Denny & Lee's? They
smell like cigarette smoke (but at least
they don't smell like pigs . . . )

Re: Kaufman's books stink!

Posted: July 25th, 2001, 7:21 am
by Guest
EVERYTHING from Denny smells of tobacco.
Just a tip: get your mouth coils elsewhere :(

Re: Kaufman's books stink!

Posted: July 25th, 2001, 9:22 am
by Joe M. Turner
Originally posted by bill mullins:
[QB]Ever buy a book from Denny & Lee's? QB]


Oh yes. That's one place where a magic book can definitely acquire a particular bouquet...

JMT

Re: Kaufman's books stink!

Posted: July 25th, 2001, 11:53 am
by Richard Kaufman
I don't want to hear any cracks about Denny's pig. She's a lovely girl and always very friendly when I visit. Nicer than some of the magicians I know!

Re: Kaufman's books stink!

Posted: July 28th, 2001, 11:11 pm
by Guest
i suspect Denny and Lee will one day move to a building shaped like a cigarette! But Seriously, anyone offended by the odor of LJ's books can feel free to send them to me. Despite the scent, the heirlooms will endure.

Re: Kaufman's books stink!

Posted: July 29th, 2001, 11:43 am
by Matthew Field
Originally posted by gombert:
But Seriously, anyone offended by the odor of LJ's books can feel free to send them to me. Despite the scent, the heirlooms will endure.


And if there's a better, more knowledgeable dealer than Denny, I haven't met him (with the possible exception of Richard Hatch).

Matt Field

Re: Kaufman's books stink!

Posted: July 31st, 2001, 3:18 pm
by Mark Jensen
I would highly recommend that you treat your books to remove the odors. Not only can the chemicals causing the odors lead to costly damage to your books they can also migrate to other items in the vicinity.

For an answer to this problem I went straight to the professionals (book conservators)a few months back.

Here is a relatively inexpensive method:

Place activated charcoal (aquarium section of Wal-Mart or equivalent, or a chemistry lab supplier) in a sealed (air tight) container for a minimum of 3 days (worst case - 7 days for a book that reeks). The charcoal can be placed in a wrapped paper towel. The book(s) should be placed standing up in the center with the boards (front and back covers) open so the pages are fanned.

Best,

Mark

Re: Kaufman's books stink!

Posted: July 31st, 2001, 4:45 pm
by Guest
"And if there's a better, more knowledgeable dealer than Denny, I haven't met him (with the possible exception of Richard Hatch)."

I couldn't agree more. Both of these dealers are wonderful. Maybe my olfactory senses are shot (I am an ex-smoker), but I didn't notice the cigarette smell from the books I got from Denny. Then again, the books were shrink wrapped so maybe I discarded the evidence.