book-label gunk removal

[jinian]

I'd already tried acetone and alcohol to no avail, and I didn't have any cellophane tape or packing tape easily available. (They're here someplace...) For some reason, my next impulse toward removing the packing-tape residue on this book about ferns Wim's dad gave me was peanut oil. And it's working. Rub on peanut oil, polish oiled area with paper towel until it has the right sheen, and the book cover is back in its original nonadhesive state. Wow.