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Posted By: David

Such 19th century photographs can be authenticated (and, alternately, forgeries identified) without difficulty for a variety of reasons.

First, the photographic process used to make these types of photos (albumen) has not been used for about hundred years. It also, is not difficult to identify. Thre are some modern hobbiests and artists who used modernized forms of the albumen print pricess. However, it takes no ordinary skil, and the modern forms are easily distinguished from the 19th century process. An avid photograph collector with a handheld microscope can identify albumen print photographs, and, thus, week out almost all fakes.

Second, the 19th century albumen paper can be dated as vintage. The albumn paper was no ordinary paper, like writing paper you can get at your local store. It was specialty paper, literally made with eggs, made for professional studios. Only about three companies in the entire country made it. This makes dating of the paper straightforeward.

Third. Albumen prints were on very thin and delicate paper and almost always had to be mounted-- meaning pasted to a cardboard backing (ala Old Judge tobacco cards and cabinets), album or other. It was essentially impossible to do the albumen process directly onto postcard stock. If these seller says the image is directly on the cardstock, it is fair to assume it's a fake.