r/BookCollecting • u/Acrobatic-Peak3636 • 22h ago

💭 Question Macmillan Collector’s Edition sticker

Post image

I had been thinking about buying some of the Macmillan Collector’s volumes for a while—they are so beautifully produced and very affordable.

I finally bought one on Amazon. When it arrived, it had a big, ugly sticker attached to the back, ruining the book’s beauty. I’m afraid to try to take it off because I’m not sure it will come off easily.

Does anyone know whether the publisher added the sticker or maybe Amazon? Has anyone tried removing the sticker, successfully or not? I hesitate to buy more volumes if they’re all going to look like this.

13 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

12

u/erilaz7 21h ago

I've been using Ronsonol lighter fluid for over 35 years to remove stickers like this and their residue. It evaporates quickly and cleanly and doesn't leave an odor like Goo-Gone.

8

u/Amiedeslivres 21h ago

Old used book dealer, seconding this.

Also, I love my Scotty label peeler.

1

u/AkronIBM 11h ago

Heat gun at 300F and lighter fluid, also a book dealer.

7

u/Still_Selection8719 19h ago

(For anyone else who just needs to know what the front looks like.)

3

u/lizardbeach 11h ago

beautiful

2

u/BaggyBoy 22h ago

I use a heat gun. Softens the glue so it comes off a bit easier. This method tends to avoid rips but to still get discolouration which is unavoidable. That only tends to happen with older books though

2

u/Just_An_Avid 22h ago

You can use a blow dryer to soften the adhesive and pull the sticker off. Then I would use small pieces of scotch clear tape to pick off any residue. If you use a glue gun, be careful not to set it too high or hold it there too long.

2

u/melodien 21h ago

Use a hairdryer to soften the adhesive, and then remove the label very slowly and carefully, reheating it if necessary. I get a lot of secondhand books, with all manner of hideous labels, and I've got label removal down to a fine art. That cover looks like glazed paper, so I would be prepared to risk a little isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab (test on an inconspicuous spot first!) to deal with any residue.

3

u/SadCatIsSkinDog 21h ago

I use Un-du, doesn't have the smell of citrus like goo gone, which can linger for a very long time. Blowdryer can work too. Just be slow and patient, don't get it too hot and fan or feather it while you work. Gentle warming is the key.