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An older guy at a flea market in Toledo showed me how to date a map by the paper watermark, and it blew my mind
He pulled out a magnifying glass and pointed to a tiny crest hidden in the corner of an 1840s map I almost bought for $60, and now I check watermarks under a light before I spend a dime on anything, has anyone else learned a trick like that from a total stranger?
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angela_kelly10d ago
Man, this is everywhere once you start looking. Flea market guys, old repair shop owners, some lady at a yard sale who flips a plate over and shows you the back stamp. Same move every time. There's a whole hidden layer of knowledge that never made it online because the people who have it just show you in person. I learned more about old tools from one retired plumber in ten minutes than from a month of googling. Those little tricks keep the past honest.
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