The Big Black Smudge is an abomination to any book. It is arguably the most offensive act one can inflict upon a good book. What is the "big black smudge?"

The big smudge comes in several mediums: ballpoint pen, crayon, wax pencil ~ most commonly, it comes in a toxic, permanent black marker. Black marker damages several consecutive pages. A smudge is used in an attempt to obliterate a previous owner's name. (The irony is that generally the name is often still legible.) The result is that a beautiful book is defaced and rendered less attractive to the next owner ~ be that a collector or simply a book lover.

A lovingly inscribed book ~ and we don't mean an essay ~ can sometimes even enhance a volume; will certainly always be preferable to a defaced book. The previous owner's name is not always offensive.

We have come to believe that pencil is a lasting method of inscribing a book (if it must be done) and is reversible as we say in museum terms. There is something embarrassing about a book that shows up in used circles inscribed, "...lovingly always, until the end of time, my dearest, may this forever be a reminder of our treasured time together." And then to read the sentiment through a big black smudge?!