Detecting Deception

Tools used for paper conservation, Library and Archives Canada, Gatineau Preservation Centre, 2006
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High-powered microscope, Library and Archives Canada, Gatineau Preservation Centre, 2006
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At Library and Archives Canada, we have many techniques and use many tools to identify legitimate paintings, photos, maps, stamps and documents. A lot of fakes and forgeries are detected simply with experience. Professionals see so many different items, that when a piece comes in and doesn't look or feel like all the others, it makes them wonder. We also use tools like high-powered microscopes, many different types of lights and some very expensive machinery to further inspect items that are sent to our laboratories.

Here's a sneak peek into the "detective" work that goes on in the labs….

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