How to Spot Imposter Antique Prints

Using antiques to furnish and decorate your home is a popular interior design trend. Vintage pieces are making a comeback and add a funky flair to any home. With numerous antiques dealers, antiques shops and individuals selling vintage furniture online, it can be difficult to determine whether a piece is genuine or replicated. Fake antique furniture is much easier to spot than fake Antique Prints. Here are some signs to look for when spotting fake antiques or antique prints. The first step in determining whether antique prints are real or imposters is to examine the paper. Laid paper and wove paper are two of the most common types of paper used in antique prints and antique maps. Most pieces created prior to 1800 were printed on laid paper. This paper was made through a process involving pressing paper pulp into a mesh mould. If you lift the antique print to the light, you will notice a pattern of close lines from the mould. This is a sign that antique prints made before 1800 are genuine. After 1800, wove paper was introduced. This paper is made on a woven belt, so the laid lines aren’t present. Once you investigate the paper, take a look at the printing process. All reproduction Antique Prints are photo chemically processed, where originals are not. Use a magnifier to look at the ink. If you see small black or white ink dots, this could be a sign of a fake print. If the antique print is engraved or etched, examine the surface to determine if it is actually raised. All genuine antique engravings or etchings will be raised, whereas reproductions will not. If you still can’t determine the authenticity of your antique prints after looking at the paper and printing method, there are a few other signs you can look out for. Inspect the antiques for any printed information which can indicate it’s a reproduction. This includes a copyright notice or reproduced from text. It is also a good idea to get an antiques reference book. Find the listing for the Antique prints you are investigating, and the reference book should contain details about the antique prints including measurements, production year and any wording or labels on the prints. You can also consult an antiques expert whom you trust to review the print and provide feedback. This should give you a clear idea about the authenticity of the prints. When in doubt, avoid purchasing antiques or antique prints which you suspect could be reproductions, taking extra caution for products sold online. With today’s technology, it is easier than ever to create fake products and sell them at an incredible mark-up. However, with these tips in mind for spotting imposters, you can now be a savvy shopper and expand your antiques collection with genuine items.