Some are old, and they smell old, but they dont smell acidic or bitter like vinger or pickles. A combination of grassy notes with a tang of acids and a hint of vanilla over an underlying mustiness is how an international team of chemists describes the unique odor of old books in a study. How much are my comic books worth welcome to, a quick and simple guide to help you grade and identify your old comic books. I think all old comics have a kind of smell to them. Mar 18, 2019 if you store your books in a cool, dry location, theres a much better chance that youll avoid much of the bad odor that old books can develop. Smell comics general cgc comic book collectors chat boards. Old books have a sweet smell with notes of vanilla flowers and almonds, caused by. Defiantly check for mold and mildew which is not good. Jul 19, 2012 a books smell is also influenced by its environment and materials it encounters over the course of its life which is why some books have hints of cigarette smoke, others smell a little like. How to easily killremove mildew and mold spores mad maine. Heres how to remove a musty smell from vintage books. I have tried the baking soda technique and it only worked on books that have the old comic book smell that is a bit musty from age.
When should a collector consider having a comic book pressed. If we look at the smell of paper itself, we would find that a lot of chemicals are used to manufacture. Place the book in a smaller box or can, and put it inside the larger one. Grades are given by the comic book certification service, also known as the cbcs.
Vintage comic book with musty smell page 2 the ebay. Anyone who has ever collected comic books knows what i mean when i say that i love the smell of old comics. You only need 3 ingredients to removereduce mildew smells from old books, and you most likely have all of them in your kitchen. The smell doesnt go far but it certainly is present at reading distance. Comic book upkeep and storage dry cleaning without restoring duration. Whether you read your books in the bath, or you live in a humid climate, the pages of your books may develop a musty or moldy smell.
Regionals this october as well as other unmissable events that can. I had some old books not comics with odor and these methods helped a lot, and it was cheap. To find the value of comic books you can buy or download a reference book, or search our past auctions. So, i do not think it really do anything to the value. My home has no mold issues, and the book is in great condition otherwise.
We treat you fairly, and with respect, at all times. This smell should be distinctive from the normal old comic book smell which i believe is caused by acid migration from inside the paper. These classic ads in the back of comic books tricked kids from the 50s through the 80s. Bookstore the scent is a cozy and sweet blend of earthy tones, with notes of timber, driftwood, and hazelnut cappuccino. The cheap newsprint often used in older comics decays quickly. It can be aired out if left open where air can reach all the pages. That acidic smell comic book grading and restoration. S1 e9 dry cleaning comic books using absorene products and pencil erasers by. Dealing with the smells of comiccon observation deck. One of the worlds few micronations celebrates its 50th, but is the hutt river province dream over. Mold is a type of fungus that can and will grow on anything, as long as it. The baking soda is placed in the bottom of a large can or box with a lid.
The smell of new books can be attributed to three factors. A musty smell is often noted in books that have been exposed to high relative humidity and that may have been moldy or mildewed in the past. Read our guide to discover some of the best places to get comics, cards, and. However, many old books carry a distinct, musty smell. Does your secondhand score have that old book smell. But i do aim to connect with the prudent antiquer and wont allow fools who might. If there are 15,000 copies of the comic in perfect condition, it is going to be less desirable than one with only 100 known copies in mint condition. Despite your best efforts, though, you may find mold or mildew on your books. The expendable then actually smelled exactly like the moon knight comic. Expert advice from bob vila, the most trusted name in home.
Im talking about the cheap newsprint that most comics used to be printed on that delivers a smell that is intoxicating in its nostalgia. Make offer vintage comic book variety pack many signed valuable comics. If you store your books in a cool, dry location, theres a much better chance that youll avoid much of the bad odor that old books can develop. Thus, drying out the paper will make the chemistry slow down and the smell will stop radiating from the pile. The offending, musty book is placed inside a smaller container and then put into the large can or box and covered. Check out our book smell selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade. Although the presence of an unpleasant smell does not necessarily mean anything dangerous is growing in the pages. How to get rid of a musty smell in comic books know. If you want to sell comic books for cash, then we can help you to get the most money for your rare comics.
Once upon a time, you had to live with that old book smell. That said, they still had a slight odor, just not nearly as bad. Ah, the san diego comiccon an event like this is quite an experience and youre sure to come away with both good, and maybe occasionally notsogood memories. Jun 18, 20 smart news keeping you current that old book smell is a mix of grass and vanilla smell is chemistry, and the chemistry of old books gives your cherished tomes their scent. There is no guaranteed way to remove the odor, but there are several strategies that may be successful. The only thing i can is to seal the book in plastic bags and put it in the freezer for 3 days. Close the door and allow the book to remain in the oven until it has cooled completely.
Sep 11, 2017 old books inspired by the smell of old books. I also can t stop the reader who only casually reads advice on a helpboard. Identify, prevent, and remove mold and mildew from books. Old books are wonderful treasures to come across and can even be worth money. Cover the big can, then check on it every few days. Also, coffee can help pull the smell out of a book, plus the book smells like starbucks once its done. They are accumulated for reading pleasure and are also a popular collectable item.
Infographic reveals complex chemistry behind the comforting scent of yellowed pages. Put this population all in one giagantic room and add 85 degree san diego weather, and it can make for a very unpleasant experience. Rookie collector here, can a comic book smell old, but no smell acidic. I will try the cedar chips though as the baking soda technique takes a few months to work it at all. Do third part grading services like cgc and cbcs consider pressing and minor dry cleaning restoration.
Theres something great about the smell of an old comic book, like breathing in a bit of history and connecting to a time long gone. Is there a way to get a musty odor from comics stored in a basement. Sell my comic books helps you sell comic books you have inherited, bought, or found in your home for the maximum return. Not as common in glossy magazine paper as in soft book paper. This can take a few days and should be outside or next to an open window. I like the smell of old comics especially 80s90s comics. A comic that got wet and dried out can even develop mold. Seriously people, deodorant is a life saver and you can even find it at dollar stores. After letting it sit for two days the moon knight comic smelled noticeably less like cigarette smoke.
Jul 30, 20 you only need 3 ingredients to removereduce mildew smells from old books, and you most likely have all of them in your kitchen. If any musty smell remains, place the open comic book inside a large plastic zip bag. If youve stumbled across a treasure trove of comics, then sell my comic books is a great place to find out what you have. How to get rid of a musty smell in comic books know about life. Ive never noticed this with any other comic or book before. I have some comic books i itemizing in a spreadsheet and i am grading them. If the book is very old or valuable, do not place it sunlight. Crumple up old newspaper and place it under and on top of the comic book. The supply of particular old comic books is important to figuring value as well. If you have a lot of books that need restoration or one with a particularly stubborn smell, kitty litter may be the answer. How to get rid of a musty smell in books thoughtco. After a few weeks, the musty smell typically disappears. Does your secondhand score have that oldbook smell. These fungi are the most common culprits of the familiar old book smell, but that odor is the least of the detrimental effects possible.
Book cellar with notes of dirt, basement, and vanilla bean, this candle smells like the cellar full of books. The cheap newsprint often used in older comics decays quickly because theres a pretty high acid content in the paper acid that was used in helping to break down the wood so that it could be pressed flat as. Aug 19, 2018 this video shows a proven method for removing that old smell. I was using the comic book smell from the bad comic to try and overtake the smoke smell. The grade of a comic book is how good or bad its condition is. A comic book that is torn up, well read, or bent is worth far less than a comic book that is in pristine condition.
When you obtain a comic book with a musty odour, its importan. I love the smell of an old comic but have encountered some comics that stunk so bad i didnt want to be near them. Unfortunately, that smell can be an indication of improper storage in a cold, damp basement or uninsulated attic, leaving it open to the growth of mold and mildew. Foxing is a reddish agereated stain that can be found in older comic books. I should say, i never buy high grade silverbronze age comics if i can get away with it. To reduce mildew you can stick the book in the freezer, but that wont kill the spores. Imo, a book that smells like smoke should not be kept or collected. Just as supply and demand work for any retail product, the less supply of a particular comic, the greater the demand. This video shows a proven method for removing that old smell. Apr 12, 2020 old books are wonderful treasures to come across and can even be worth money. First, fill the bottom of a new, large garbage can with fresh, clean kitty litter. We created this guide to help the many people who call us asking how much are my comic books worth. But if they got that intent from advice that another person offered on said chat board, they are just following advice, right. See how a fan and baking soda will freshen up mustysmelling books.
Books can easily fall prey to the dangers of moisture. These fungi are the most common culprits of the familiar old book smell, but. However, in the case of book having a stench and the collection smelling up entire rooms, i would be concerned about the books and wouldnt rule out the risk that have mold on the paper that can be transferred to other books, or at least can make other books smell. I love the smell of old comic books posts facebook. This video is about how i get rid of that basement, moldy smell in comic books. Comics offer a unique opportunity halfway between film and book to tell a visually rich story that can be savoured or rushed, packed with detail, speaking to both hemispheres of the brain at the same time, and by happy coincidence, they often feature robots, aliens and. That acidic smell comic book grading and restoration issues. Rookie collector here, can a comic book smell old, but no.
That old book smell is a mix of grass and vanilla smart. It comes from the paper decaying with age, particularly the chemicals used in making the paper in the first place. One method is to find an odorabsorbing material such as baking soda. Comic book tips dry cleaning your comic books the comic. In order to find out more about the comics that you own, a superb reference is the overstreet comic book price guide by.
Something about the scent of old books can perk up any bookworm. Hi, do you use new litter for each item or can you re use it. We know that the decision to sell old comic books can sometimes be a tough one to make, due to a cash crunch, and that your books may have sentimental as well as financial value. Modern comics may have better quality paper and printing techniques, but what they dont, and wont, have is the magical gift of memory that older comics have baked into their slowly eroding pages. Old books have a potent, unmistakable smell, but it can be a hard odor to describe. How to get rid of a musty smell in comic books comic books have delighted the followers of superheroes and other comic strip characters for many years. But as books age, they can start to have an unpleasant, musty smell. Vintage comic book with musty smell page 2 the ebay community. I was reading an old issue of marvel comics presents from the 90s when flipping through the pages i got a whif of the pages. Its a musty smell, like rotting paper, and so i guess its not a good sign, since the goal of most comic book collectors is to preserve those rotting bits of paper for as long as possible, in the best condition possible. When comic book collectors approach me regarding the services i offer, they tend to focus primarily on my pressing service. But acid smell or oil smell did not work using the baking soda in a box and i stored them for a few months.
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