For the fifth in The Raab Collection's Masterclass Series on starting and building a collection of historical documents, Nathan Raab, president of The Raab Collection, focuses on historical document authentication and forgery. 

Raab explains that experts begin with an intuitive “feel” developed over decades of experience, then confirm it through many interlocking checks: paper, ink, format, showthrough, handwriting details (including numbers and line quality), autographs, and whether the signer was in the right place at the right time. He notes signatures are often examined last because forgers practice them, and describes modern challenges like glossy signed photographs and high-resolution reproductions, as well as tools such as microscopy, specialized lighting, and ink-movement tests. The discussion also covers the value of reputable dealers’ lifetime guarantees and the limitations of third-party certificates of authenticity. They also dip into notable forgers and an example of uncovering a forged Abraham Lincoln letter.

00:00 Introduction

00:49 The Expert Gut Check

02:41 Authentication Touchpoints

05:30 Modern Photo Pitfalls

07:02 Tools and Techniques

08:01 Collector Learning Curve

10:15 Guarantees and COAs

13:07 Famous Forgers and Fakes

16:18 Avoiding Forgeries: The Basics

19:29 Lincoln Forgery Case Study

22:33 Healthy Skepticism Mindset

24:12 Conclusion