Okay, this is a pretty trivial question I suppose, but here goes...  

I recently acquired a copy of G1-2-3 in "Good" condition from an Amazon Marketplace seller, and need some advice.  To give you some background info, I am strictly what I would call a "nostalgia collector", meaning I'm only picking up AD&D modules and such that I actually owned and/or played through back in the glory days (for me, 1980 - 1988, roughly).  Condition and value are not major considerations for me, as I do not intend to resell anything, but I would like fairly decent copies that I can "pretend" are my originals.  I always treated my modules gently back then, and though I didn't use magazine bags or backings of any kind (if they even existed in the '80s), I would say my collection was mostly Fine-VF when I sold it before going off to college in '88.

The module was described as having some cover wear (which I assumed would be moderate to heavy), and on first inspection upon receiving it this afternoon wasn't too disappointed.  There's definitely wear, but no splitting and everything is intact.  However, when I began to leaf through the pages and examine the two folder maps, I found that there is relatively extensive pencil writing throughout, mostly margin notes in the text and the "names" of the rooms on the folder maps.  The person who wrote them didn't press too hard, but obviously didn't intend to erase these marks later either.

My question is this...  I'd like to erase these marks, but should I?  They don't interfere with reading the module or maps, just with my intentional self-delusion that this is my original copy.  I don't ever intend to sell it (and it ain't worth much with or without the pencil marks), so that's not a consideration.  What do you think?  If I do erase, can anyone recommend a good eraser for this purpose?  Am I likely to damage the legibility of the folder maps?

Thanks for any thoughts you might have.

David

Thanks, I'll try that.  I'm ashamed to say I don't even have a pencil (wooden, mechanical, or otherwise) in the house, so I knew I'd have to go buy an eraser in any case.  The writing is on the light side, so I'm hopeful.

Having said famous person's dog roger it may help as well.

If you cannot live with the pencil markings...which are a bit of history in themselves, right?...then use a white eraser.  They are softer and they erase better and do less damage to the page.  

Snag a dozen white eraser pencils in a pack from the local "dollar" store.  Think of them as tools.  Erase.

But...I would leave the marks unless they totally suck for  you.

Mark  

My book repair manual indicates that you should use a 'gum art eraser'. Rub from the inner page to the outer page to avoid creating wrinkles. Hope that helps.

The gum art eraser is the same as the white eraser. It is vinyl rather than rubber. The pink ones are variable and sometimes contain vegetable oil which can stain the paper being erased.

The two art/white eraser brands I am familiar with are Eberhard/Faber and
staedtler.

http://www.staedtler.com/home_gb.Staedt ... iveID=2131
(the one that you are looking for is on their main page)

Man, I cannot stand writing in collectible materials — the only thing worse is highlighting.

I'm going to be bookmarking this thread to refer to for the next time I receive a module filled with a 12-year-old's notes on his 19th-level paladin's entire career. Thanks for the good advice, everyone.

FormCritic wrote:...which are a bit of history in themselves, right?...

Um ... okay. If by "history" you mean "DM's notes from a complete stranger," then, yes, this item sounds very historical.

I think the only time erasing is questionable is on the maps (and in that case you'll probably want to get an eraser shield). Pencil on the blue areas of the maps will usually come off but only with some blue color with it. Usually it's not too much, so I usually go ahead with it. Everywhere else in the booklet erasing improves the aesthetics of the module considerably.

Xaxaxe wrote:

I'm going to be bookmarking this thread to refer to for the next time I receive a module filled with a 12-year-old's notes on his 19th-level paladin's entire career. Thanks for the good advice, everyone.

I love getting old character sheets/adventure write ups/campaign ideas - the sort of thing you often find tucked in the bottom of boxed sets.
Such stuff transports you instantly to another time and place - it may be someone elses memories but they hold such a resonance for me at least.

(and it's amazing how many peoples characters had 4 or more statistics of 17+ (and the proliferation of vorpal swords...... ))