Can anyone tell me what this "stain" is and can it be fixed. 1 1

[Jfend72]

Hi all,

Newbie here with a question on what type of stain is on the back cover of my X-Men 107 and can it be removed.  I've seen Youtube videos where folks use magic eraser and absorbine? to remove dirt.   Not sure where I'd start with the attached photo though, or if there is even an option.  Thank you in advance.  I attached the front just so you can see the whole book.

 

[The Lions Den]

Have you checked to see if the stain is on the interior of the back cover as well? 

[Jfend72]

That I haven't looked at to date.  I can definitely take a look though.

 

[James J Johnson]

2 hours ago, Jfend72 said:

Hi all,

Newbie here with a question on what type of stain is on the back cover of my X-Men 107 and can it be removed.  I've seen Youtube videos where folks use magic eraser and absorbine? to remove dirt.   Not sure where I'd start with the attached photo though, or if there is even an option.  Thank you in advance.  I attached the front just so you can see the whole book.

 

Front cover ink impression to the back cover. "Wet" stacked, the inks of the front cover had a weak ink pad stamp onto the back cover of your book. You can see the distinct pattern of the cover whites surrounded by color areas impressed upon your back cover. It's called transference.   

Along with that, there also looks to be some back cover transparency. That is, the inks of the inside back cover visible through the cover, usually the by-product of either a strong printing strike, off-gassing of the inks and inside pages through the cover, or a slight combination of both. 

Many white cover silver age books are prone to this and we see copies all the time that allow you to read almost the entire inside front cover right through from the front giving the book a dingy and sometimes "oily" and opaque, onion skin sort of look. 

Edited December 22, 2020 by James J Johnson

[James J Johnson]

2 hours ago, Jfend72 said:

That I haven't looked at to date.  I can definitely take a look though.

 

And when done looking at that, get a good gander at this: 

 

 

[Jfend72]

I think I just went to school, thank you James 😉

Dumb question, is there any option here to clean what is seen on the back cover or would it be best to just press and call it a day.

[wilbil]

i don't know why it should be removed, or what value in doing so.

i don't know much about comics, but in the philately and numismatics hobbies, this is an as issued/printed/minted piece.

it is original, not doctored, and not post mint/post printing damage.

i guess comics are different, and i would also be interested in the answer.

[joeypost]

Some ink transfer can be removed by carefully dry cleaning the area. That said, all ink transfer is not created equally. Your mileage may vary. 

[Jfend72]

Hi Joey, for ink transfers, would you recommend any specific type of material or product to dry clean the back of the book.

[joeypost]

I can tell you not to use a magic eraser. That's like taking light sandpaper to your book. 

Mars plastic erasers work well on dirt and some inks. 

[JollyComics]

Welcome to the Boards.  Be careful on how you clean it up or let the professionals do the jobs for ya.

[Dylan.]

Hopefully not Playboy type stains

[B2D327]

7 hours ago, dylanthekid said:

Hopefully not Playboy type stains

Those would be on the inside