How do I know if an antique print is original or a later copy?

Use a magnifying glass. Many modern copies are made with photographic or digital printing, which shows a pattern of tiny dots or a uniform texture. Older printing methods, such as engraving, lithography, and woodcut, leave different marks, like crisp lines or ink that sits on or into the paper.

Examine the paper. Old paper often has a different texture, tone, and feel than modern paper, and age-related toning or foxing should look natural. Check the margins, size, and any publisher information, and compare them with known originals.

Frames and backing can also offer clues, though they can be changed. Some prints were legitimately reissued later, so a later printing is not necessarily a fake, but it is usually worth less. A print dealer or appraiser can help you determine what you have.