Adirondack Retro Certificate of Authenticity
Purpose: This page explains the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) included with qualifying Adirondack Retro purchases and what it guarantees to collectors, historians, designers, institutions, and enthusiasts of original printed ephemera.
What This Certificate of Authenticity Certifies
The Adirondack Retro Certificate of Authenticity confirms that the accompanying item is an authentic original period-printed work produced during its historical era of publication. Each piece is examined and verified as an original printed artifact—not a modern reproduction, facsimile, digital print, or later reprint.
Authentic vintage printed works retain the material and visual characteristics of their era, including:
- Period-correct paper stock and natural age toning
- Original printing methods (letterpress, early offset, halftone screens)
- Era-specific typography, layout systems, and illustration styles
- Authentic ink behavior and registration traits
These physical qualities cannot be replicated by modern decorative prints or reproductions.
Which Items Are Covered by the COA
Depending on the specific listing, your certified item will be one of the following original formats:
- Vintage Magazine Advertisements — original commercial ad pages printed in-period
- Vintage Magazine Covers — original front cover pages (cover-only listings when specified)
- Vintage Magazine Illustrations — original editorial artwork or illustrated features printed in periodicals
In all cases, the certified item consists of the original printed page, preserved independently from its original magazine binding. It is not a complete magazine unless explicitly stated in the product listing.
What the Certificate Does and Does Not Guarantee
The COA Guarantees:
- That the item is an authentic original period-printed artifact
- That it is not a reproduction, facsimile, or modern reprint
- That the format (advertisement, cover-only, or illustration) is accurately described
The COA Does Not Certify:
- Rarity, market value, or future appreciation
- Publisher intent beyond what is documented in the printed artifact
- That the item is free of age-consistent characteristics inherent to historical paper
Condition & Authenticity Notes
As genuine vintage paper artifacts, items may exhibit subtle age-consistent characteristics appropriate to their original publication era. These may include light toning, edge wear, minor handling marks, or printing irregularities typical of historical production. Such traits are inherent to authentic originals and are not considered defects.
Historical Context & Research Standards
For deeper historical interpretation beyond authentication, explore our curated museum resources:
Exhibits — thematic collections exploring advertising design, industry, culture, and innovation
Advertising Encyclopedia — reference library covering formats, printing methods, terminology, and collecting standards
For non-advertising printed art—editorial imagery, illustrated features, and cover art—see our resource hub:
Vintage Magazine Illustrations Hub
Preservation & Archival Presentation
Authentication verifies originality; preservation ensures longevity. For long-term care of original paper artifacts, we recommend museum-standard materials and environmental protection.
Our museum-quality mat and frame service ensures archival preservation and sophisticated display—transforming each original printed artifact into a timeless object of visual and cultural history.
Certified by Adirondack Retro
Certified Authentic & Original
By Kevin M. Grosky, Proprietor
If you have any questions regarding authenticity, format, or archival presentation, please contact Adirondack Retro directly through our website.
Continue Exploring
Museum Entrance (Vintage Ads Resource Hub) | Vintage Ads Buyer Guide | What Is a Vintage Ad? | Exhibits | Advertising Encyclopedia