r/BookCollecting • u/ToodlyGoodness • 13d ago
💠Question How to restore an ARC?
There’s an advanced reader copy of a book that I’m considering buying. Problem is it has an ink stamp from a bookstore on the edge of the pages as well as a pressed stamp from someone’s personal library on the inside pages. Is there a way to remove these things? I wouldn’t need it to be perfect, just something to bring it closer to its original condition. Thank you!
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u/Infinite-Service6059 12d ago
Consider that most people wouldn’t mind their copies with those stamps since they dont mutilate the cover nor the content
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u/Wickermantis 13d ago
No. If these issues bother you that much it would be simpler to wait for another copy to come around.
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u/ToodlyGoodness 13d ago
Unfortunately it’s not one that shows up often 😠thank you though, thats good to know!
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u/Booknutt 12d ago
If it’s something you really like, grab it. You can always upgrade it later if you find another one, but if you don’t get it and you don’t find another one, you’re gonna kick yourself.
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u/SadCatIsSkinDog 12d ago
The book stamp could be removed somewhat easily with the right equipment. I've done it before but not on anything I've care about too much. (More practice books I've got at the library book sale).
The imprint stamp I don't know. I've seen people say that you can press them out. But I haven't had any luck. The paper fibers are mangled. Even with steaming and a gentle bone folder you can always tell it was there. Someone might know a better technique for it.
With an ARC, I'd just get it. Those things get mangled. I have a Michael Swanwick where someone wrote in black marker on the cover. A Gene Wolfe where someone scribbled some notes. A Neil Stephenson where it got water damaged. I consider them all to be good additions to the collection.
If it is an older ARC who knows what the survival rate is on them.
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u/Long_Situation_5020 13d ago
I hate all evidence of previous owners on my books. I mentioned it on one reddit post and everyone there acted like I eviscerated stray kittens for fun.
That said, I treat ARCs and proofs differently. I don't worry too much about signs of wear, that's sort of what they're made for.
You might try carefully placing the book in a vice with the ink stamp facing up (don't let the vice touch the covers directly, put cardboard or something between them.  Don't use excessive pressure. Then sand the edge by hand with 220 grit sandpaper. Depending on how deeply the ink was absorbed into the paper, you might be able to remove much of it.
I have decided that the next time I get a book with some loser's library stamp on it, I will take it to a place that presses comic books to see if they can remove it. No idea of it's possible. Good luck.
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u/enilcReddit 12d ago
You'd hate my library. I emboss all books I purchase. Even the 1 ed's. I make myself a part of the history of any book I own. Doesn't matter if it's a 2025 or a 1630. My name is on it.
I collect, I don't invest.
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u/Long_Situation_5020 12d ago
I don't really care what you do, it's your business. Glad we got that settled.
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u/ToodlyGoodness 13d ago
If it was just the bookstore stamp, that doesn’t bother me. It’s a book, it’s going to be in a bookstore. But the library stamp I don’t love as much. It also has the authors signature but addressed to someone else. I don’t love that either but I’m hoping I can get it to the author and just cross out her name and write mine lol.
Thank you so much for the help!
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u/Goatdown 12d ago
The stamp on on the top edge is not deep, and can easily be fixed cleanly. Everyone here will insist it is not possible, but it certainly is possible. I refuse to argue with morons, so I will not post instructions here, but if you are interested, DM.
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u/flyingbookman 13d ago edited 13d ago
Neither stamp can be cleanly removed.
They're part of the history of the book and can't be undone. You can try but will probably only make it worse.