Unlike handwritten ARod autographs on a new baseball, authentication of old photographs (and ink prints) is a very scientific area, as photographs were made with the day's technology and materials. For example, 1910 photograph was made on chemically formulated paper from 1910. I examine the paper etc of each valuable photo with my trusty handheld microscope.
However, general appearance, stamps, experienced collector's eye, paper toning etc are also an integral part. Most modern reprints simply look modern, even in an online image. Just looking at the stamps and 'look' of this Sporting News photos it was clear it is not a reprint. If you collect enough baseball cards, autographs or photos you can identify many bad reprints just from first glance.
The stamps and paper tage on a photo tell a lot about a photo, including who and from when it was made. These are details you can examine even in an eBay auction. Even if you don't know what the stamps mean, many Net54 collectors here can tell you.
People collect photographs because they are art, historical artifacts and scientific artifacts. Some like the art, some like the science of their photos.
In person, an expert call show you exactly why your photo is original or reprint.
Last edited by drcy; 10-08-2013 at 08:40 AM.
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