On Mon, 25 Jul 2011 00:55:53 -0500, Polly Esther wrote:
My fingertips won't 'do' it. I don't want to harm the precious book so
I'm using a soft wooden cuticle pusher manicure tool to start/stop the
rascal.

Try a pencil eraser. Either the type on the end of a pencil or the
miniature bar of soap shaped ones.