Testing Paper
Collectibles For Authenticity
Since most time-era Titanic collectibles can have significant
value, it may be a good idea to have the knowledge needed
to identify modern verses vintage paper relics. This can include
postcards, fabrics, photographs, rare paper artifacts, and even fake
autographs on modern paper that has been artificially aged.
As an example, how many times has a very rare Turkish Bath
ticket surfaced and been fraudulently (or unknowingly) sold
as an original?
Blacklights
are useful in identifying most but not all modern stock paper.
This is because sometime in the 1940's chemical brighteners
were added to a variety of products to give them a more appealing
look under natural light which has ultraviolet rays. It quickly
caught on, and ever since, most paper stock will give a brighter
illumination when held under a blacklight. This is also helpful
in detecting vintage card stock that has been modified or
improved using newer material such as paper, starches (used
to bond) and some adhesives.
Most novice
collectors can quickly and easily identify modern paper stock
which can be reprints, fakes, or reproductions. If paper stock
fluoresces very bright as just described below, it was almost
certainly was made prior to the 1950's. Be aware that this
will not work for modern printing on vintage paper, which
is typically seen in high-end fraud. It also does not work
for some rarely seen modern paper stock that does not have
any normal additives for brightness.
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The poster
to the left was advertised as an original time-era White
Star Southern Railway poster. This is a highly desirable
collectible both for its link to to the Titanic, as
well as being a colorful rare print. By appearance it
would seem that it is in mint condition with the appropriate
amount of toning (aged color) that is somewhat uneven.
Something to look for in original collectibles. If it's too
evenly toned it may indicate it was man-made and not part of the
natural aging process. |
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As seen
under a blacklight, the seemingly time-era poster instantly
reveals the brightness and illuminance of modern paper
stock. If this was an authentic poster it would have
a darker appearance and be somewhat dull in color.
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Here is
a group of authentic paper collectibles from (or about)
the time of the Titanic tragedy. All of these can be
seen in true color on various pages of this website.
Note that each does not display any degree of fluorescence
when held under a blacklight. The results would indicate
that these are not modern reproductions and were printed
prior to the 1950's. This gives the collector a reasonable
amount of satisfaction that the paper artifacts have
a high probably of being time-era and authentic. |
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To
give a better perspective, a vintage postcards displaying
no signs of abnormal brightness are placed on top of the
fake modern paper stock White Star Southern Railway poster.
The picture to the right shows an original Titanic postcard
placed on top of the back side of the poster. Notice the
difference of illumination when both are placed under
a blacklight. Again, the vintage cards are dark and dull
as compared to the bright modern stock behind it. |
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