How to Spot a Forgery

For as long as humankind has used the written word, people have tried to pass off their forgeries as the real thing. Whether it is a signature, a document or a painting, the forger's art dates back centuries. There is often a great deal of money at stake on an article being authentic, so it pays to be able to spot a forgery.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Look for detail. The differences may be nearly imperceptible, but there are often tell-tale signs of forgery if you look closely enough. It may be a color not quite right on a painting, or the placement of the sculptor's signature.
2. Know your history. A document may look authentic, but if it is printed on a type of paper not available at the time the original was produced, you've spotted a forgery. Often the modern chemical composition of paint gives away the forgery of an older work.
3. Call in the experts. There are a variety of scientific tests than can be done in a laboratory to determine when an object was created or what was used to create it. You are likely to pay dearly for these services, but the knowledge could save you from buying a high-priced forgery.
4. Do research. The sports and celebrity autograph market is full of forgeries, and stories abound of clubhouse attendants and others signing the names of famous stars. Make sure the dealer is reputable. Beware of online auctions and other sources that make it difficult to verify the authenticity of an autograph.
5. Study sports or show tickets carefully when buying from a scalper. Promoters are getting increasingly sophisticated in designing tickets, making it easier to spot a forgery. For example, you should note any olograms and embedded images that you know are on the real things. Forgers hope you won't look carefully at a ticket, especially if you're outside the venue minutes before the event and want to hurry inside.
6. Listen and read carefully. There is nothing wrong with a "reproduction" of an historic piece or artwork, but the seller crosses the line if he represents as original. This is when it becomes a forgery. Verify the seller isn't simply implying it's an original without saying so to avoid doing something illegal.

Tips & Warnings

• Beware of any certificates of authenticity. Read the fine print to understand what is really being claimed. A document that supposedly verifies the authenticity of an autographed photo of your favorite star may only claim that someone--not necessarily the celebrity--signed it.