Avoid Fake Antiques

	Is It a Real McCoy?

Two words describe the antiques and collectibles market -- caveat emptor (let the buyer beware).

As a collector, you must be wary of fakes and reproductions. Many items are made to deceive, and even the most knowledgeable collectors can get fooled.

So before you take out that wallet, ask yourself if you can recognize the real deal in an antique or collectible you're eyeing -- or even if you know the difference between a fake and a reproduction.

And keep in mind, even the experts can be fooled. I've collected Japanese WWII militaria for over 20 years, and recently purchased a rare Imperial Japanese Navy petty officer's cap that seemed authentic in every way, from the label with handwritten owner's name properly sewn on the inside lining and the correct rank patch on the front of the cap.

After getting it home and holding it under a black light, however, I noticed the thread around the label and rank patch glowed. Many modern fibers like rayon and polyester -- which make up today's sewing tread -- will turn fluorescent under a black light. The cap was old but obviously the label and rank patch were added later, making its value considerably less.

An Important Distinction

A fake, like the officer's cap, is deliberately made to deceive buyers and looks similar to an authentic piece, with analogous markings and price. It may be made by a company other than the stated manufacturer, and at a later period.

A reproduction, on the other hand, looks similar to a real piece but is not masquerading as an original. It isn't falsely aged to appear to be from an earlier time period, and it will bear the new manufacturer's mark. It also should be quite a bit cheaper and easier to find than the real thing. ...