Kaufman's books stink!

Discuss your favorite books, authors, and tricks from Kaufman and Company.
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Richard Kaufman
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Kaufman's books stink!

Postby Richard Kaufman » July 20th, 2001, 11:03 am

Literally, sometimes the glue smells like old apples when the books are fresh from the printer. :D
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Joe M. Turner
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Re: Kaufman's books stink!

Postby Joe M. Turner » July 20th, 2001, 11:57 am

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

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Re: Kaufman's books stink!

Postby Guest » July 20th, 2001, 3:32 pm

OK!!

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

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Dustin Stinett
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Re: Kaufman's books stink!

Postby Dustin Stinett » July 22nd, 2001, 2:57 am

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

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Re: Kaufman's books stink!

Postby Guest » July 22nd, 2001, 3:07 am

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.

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Dustin Stinett
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Re: Kaufman's books stink!

Postby Dustin Stinett » July 22nd, 2001, 3:20 am

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

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Matthew Field
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Re: Kaufman's books stink!

Postby Matthew Field » July 22nd, 2001, 11:24 am

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

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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Kaufman's books stink!

Postby Richard Kaufman » July 22nd, 2001, 12:32 pm

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:
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Re: Kaufman's books stink!

Postby Guest » July 22nd, 2001, 12:48 pm

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

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Joe M. Turner
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Re: Kaufman's books stink!

Postby Joe M. Turner » July 22nd, 2001, 2:49 pm

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

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Re: Kaufman's books stink!

Postby Guest » July 24th, 2001, 3:14 am

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... :(

Jim Morton
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Re: Kaufman's books stink!

Postby Jim Morton » July 24th, 2001, 4:01 pm

I've never had to worry about the odor of the books. Ever since my nose surgery, I can't even smell ammonia. :(

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Re: Kaufman's books stink!

Postby Bill Mullins » July 25th, 2001, 1:54 am

Ever buy a book from Denny & Lee's? They
smell like cigarette smoke (but at least
they don't smell like pigs . . . )

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Re: Kaufman's books stink!

Postby Guest » July 25th, 2001, 7:21 am

EVERYTHING from Denny smells of tobacco.
Just a tip: get your mouth coils elsewhere :(

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Joe M. Turner
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Re: Kaufman's books stink!

Postby Joe M. Turner » July 25th, 2001, 9:22 am

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

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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Kaufman's books stink!

Postby Richard Kaufman » July 25th, 2001, 11:53 am

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!
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Re: Kaufman's books stink!

Postby Guest » July 28th, 2001, 11:11 pm

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.

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Matthew Field
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Re: Kaufman's books stink!

Postby Matthew Field » July 29th, 2001, 11:43 am

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

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Re: Kaufman's books stink!

Postby Mark Jensen » July 31st, 2001, 3:18 pm

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

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Re: Kaufman's books stink!

Postby Guest » July 31st, 2001, 4:45 pm

"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.


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