photosensitive
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posted on December 17, 2007 05:38:25 PM new
I bought a 1947 magazine on eBay. The condition stated was "Good condition old magazine." It came really fast but when I opened it the musty smell almost knocked me over. In my opinion smell is part of the condition. And nol I don't think all "old" magazines have a strong musty smell.
Am I missing something here? Did I have a right to expect the smell to be in the description? What kind of feedback do you think is reasonable?
There is an article in the magazine I really want. I remember some threads on getting the smell out or old magazines but am not sure there was an agreed on way to do it.
Suggestions on both points would be appreciated.
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“The illiterate of the future will be the person ignorant of the use of the camera as well as of the pen.”
Maholy-Nagy, Vision in Motion, 1947
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sthoemke
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posted on December 17, 2007 05:45:19 PM new
Seller should have stated the smell, but 60 year old magazines can be expected to smell a bit in any case.
It is problably not worth making a case over, with postage costs and all.
If you are just interested in the article, I'd make a good copy, and relist the magazine with a fair description of the smell.
I'd tried to air out a bit with a slow fan in a dry environment as see if that helps.
As for feedback, you can always give zero stars for the description on the feedback 2.0 form.
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photosensitive
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posted on December 17, 2007 06:18:47 PM new
You are likely right. I remember leaving it out in the sun as one suggestion but there is not a lot of sun at this time of the year. Dryer sheets I think was another but I think that would stain the paper.
-----o----o----o----o----o----o----o----o
“The illiterate of the future will be the person ignorant of the use of the camera as well as of the pen.”
Maholy-Nagy, Vision in Motion, 1947
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pixiamom
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posted on December 17, 2007 06:53:18 PM new
Some people are more sensitive to musty smells than others. I'll think a postcard dealer's cards stink to high heaven and the guy next to me can't smell them. Wish my sense of hearing was as good!
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alldings
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posted on December 17, 2007 06:56:15 PM new
put it in a paper or plastic bag with a 2-3 scoops of cat liter for a couple weeks might work. Same deal with baking soda but put the baking soda in a small dish.
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pmelcher
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posted on December 18, 2007 04:47:19 AM new
You are not wrong to expect the smell to be in the description. I always mention 'that wonderful old magazine odor' and buyers laugh but know it is not going to be fresh as a spring breeze when it arrives.
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MAH645
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posted on December 18, 2007 09:49:46 AM new
I cutup pieces of dryer sheets and put them in between the pages and leave them in there until the day I ship it. It seemed to help with the last batch of magazines I had.
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Helenjw
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posted on December 18, 2007 09:50:51 AM new
If the odor is mildew, there is no permanent solution. You may temporarily remove the odor but the mildew will remain and the odor will return...possibly spreading to your other books and magazines.
One good tip that you may try to clean the slick cover of a magazine or book jacket is to rub it lightly with a very small amount of waterless hand cleaner such as Purell.
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photosensitive
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posted on December 18, 2007 06:51:16 PM new
Helen, can it be mildew if there are no spots? when I have had mildew you can see it on the surface. This magazine does look good but smells musty.
-----o----o----o----o----o----o----o----o
“The illiterate of the future will be the person ignorant of the use of the camera as well as of the pen.”
Maholy-Nagy, Vision in Motion, 1947
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birgittaw
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posted on December 18, 2007 07:10:28 PM new
It always kinda amuses me when the shoe is on the other foot; much of the time we hear about sellers dealing with buyers who complain about this or that and leave negative feedback. I don't believe I saw where the OP even contacted the seller before coming here, and contemplating feedback.
What does the seller say? Chances are, he didn't think it was musty. Think of the people who live in paper mill towns -- they really don't smell it. I'd certainly contact seller before leaving any kind of feedback if this is important to you.
I have on occasion frozen musty paper in air tight freezer bags. Wipe each page, and then air out on the porch -- seems to take care of it.
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ST0NEC0LD613
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posted on December 18, 2007 07:58:04 PM new
You could always fart and clear the air.
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Helenjw
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posted on December 19, 2007 05:52:23 AM new
"Helen, can it be mildew if there are no spots? when I have had mildew you can see it on the surface. This magazine does look good but smells musty."
Photosensitive,
Sometimes the mold on a book or magazine may not be easily visible. Since it may be hidden or in an early stage of growth it's probably better for amateurs like we are to rely on the odor as a fairly good indicator.
Until you determine if mildew is a problem with your magazine, I would make sure that it's very dry and keep it in a sealed plastic bag or a box temporarily to avoid the possibility of spreading the mildew or exposing it to people with health problems. That may sound like overkill to some, but mildew can be a serious problem.
Unfortunately, a lot of good books, magazines and photographs are ruined because they are stored in basements where temperature and relative humidity are ideal for the growth of mildew.
[ edited by Helenjw on Dec 19, 2007 05:55 AM ]
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hwahwa
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posted on December 19, 2007 07:31:26 AM new
I used to live in New Orleans and most of the houses,restaurants,bars,libaries and hotel lobbies etc all have a mildew odor and some local have underactive thryroid,there seems to be a connection there!
If there is humidity in the air,the spores will grow and like the other thread said,spread .
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Lets all stop whining !
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