Need help with Late '31 Owner's Manual

[MikeK]

Anyone with judging experience in Area 17: Tools?

I have acquired a complete original late '31 manual for my 40B. The best one I have come across in several years. The last sentence, italicized, on p.17-4 states: "If the manual is complete, including the cover, and the pages can be opened and read, it is acceptable and no deduction should be made." It is all that, no rips or tears, but the staples have original rust, it is not perfectly flat, and the cover now bears a name printed in ball-pen. That just bugs me to no end.

Should I leave it as is, or should I disassemble it, de-rust the staples, and remove the pen ink? I have a source that can remove the ink from the paper surface via laser ablation, but that will leave a clean spot on the patina.

Open to any and all opinions.

 

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Mike, it has been my experience that this area in Fine-point judging has been the most "reasonable" with regard to scoring and/or deductions. We have shown with books in very similar conditions to yours and not received any deductions. Don Turley and Gary Johnson are two individuals that frequent FB whom are often the Team Captains of that area. Tom Witten has also judged that area a couple of times. Maybe you could contact any one or all of them, sending detailed pictures to them and get their opinion??

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[MikeK]

Thank you BRENT. Extremely helpful reply!