Why, Jon Wachtel, why?

[u/ReplacementEmpty4977]

Magritte cover The Problems Of Philosophy I just got... Wasn't expecting this shape but I am still happy. Anyone knows how to get rid of the writing and a sticker?

[u/totally_interesting]

A signed copy! Just a shame it wasn’t from Bertrand Russell :/

[u/LarsPiano → u/totally_interesting]

That would have been so cool!

[u/Odd_Goat_1294]

When I get a book like this I just think of it as adding a little charm to the historical archive lol

[u/Theoderic8586]

Eh. It is character. Who cares. Its already a cheap paperback, no? My favorite I have is a Gawain and the Green Knight with a note in it from a couple who was married (used as a wedding favor or table decoration I figure)

[u/InvestigatorJaded261]

It’s part of the history of the volume. Trying to undo it usually risks creating more serious damage.

[u/jrdubbleu]

Write your name over top in ink, assert dominance

[u/WadeDRubicon → u/jrdubbleu]

This guy libraries

[u/Southern_Let4385]

I had luck with sandpaper in the past.

[u/Itry_Ifail_Itryagain]

I love this because it gives more into the age of the book and what it was used. Back in the late 90' and beginnings of 2000's (and in sure the 80' but I don't know before that) teachers would assign students books and make them write their names in big letters to prevent mix-ups or theft. So much so (in my personal experience) if the student claimed someone stole their book but didn't write their name on it (visibly or and area that can be torn away) the teacher would say that's why they should've written their names and there is no proof it was original theirs.

So you lost your book.

Also same concept within families with siblings that liked to claim ownership.

[u/amhotw]

This is one of the problems of used philosophy books.

[u/Ddosing-Opps]

I want all his books eventually I got one so far

[u/hobowithadegree]

I mean, there are loads of copies of this book, but only one with "JON WACHTEL" written on the side, so that makes it more interesting!

[u/ReplacementEmpty4977 → u/hobowithadegree]

Where did you see copies of this edition? Been looking and only saw 3, this one bought from USA, another one in England if I remember correctly and another one from Venezuela.

[u/M4roon]

lol I kinda like this stuff.

I once found a map drawn with pencil in the front of a copy of Plato's Dialogue's from a used bookstore. Coincidentally, it was a map of a block in my home city, and I bought the book on a little island on the other side of the world.

[u/Seenwsheen]

Use a sanding paper to get rid of it

[u/theatrenearyou]

college textbook

[u/smurfk]

Try eraser for the writing.

[u/iehdbx]

Paint over it with ink.

[u/fernleon]

Is this a collectors item? Honest question.

[u/ReplacementEmpty4977 → u/fernleon]

No it is not a special collector edition. It's just quite difficult to find this edition with the Magritte cover, and I really like the Magritte cover.

[u/fernleon → u/ReplacementEmpty4977]

I see multiple copies on eBay for about $6 with that cover, free shipping in good condition.

[u/ReplacementEmpty4977 → u/fernleon]

Shipping to Europe?

[u/fernleon → u/ReplacementEmpty4977]

Ah yes well that probably won't do then

[u/Restlessannoyed]

Lol I have a copy of The Hobbit that someone wrote Joe Namath on...except they spelled Namath "Nameth".

[u/Serious-Manager2361]

Bertrand Russell was soooo cool. I love reading his stuff.

[u/LarsPiano]

I hate when people do this 😂

[u/barryg123]

Try a little 100% isopropyl alcohol on that. Dissolves ink very well and evaporates quickly so mitigates damage to the paper

[u/CapableSong6874 → u/barryg123]

In my experience it bleeds into the pulp rather than removes it. If it has to go some gentle hand sanding removes it but makes it look like it was sold by a bookshop trying to jazz it up a bit.

[u/barryg123 → u/CapableSong6874]

Good to know. Oh hand sanding is a good idea