Cycleback's Important Tips for Photograph Collectors

Ballpoint Pen Handwriting on Photos

Some writing on the back of photos that are old or that appear to be old have writing on the back in ballpoint pen. Just remember that the ballpoint pen was invented in 1939 and not mass-sold to the public until 1945. Ballpoint writing on the back of a 1910 photo was not placed there in 1910. In specific cases, if the “photographers original writing” in ballpoint on a 1920 photo may be evidence that the photo isn’t from 1920.