some people will tell you that sacks with tar based inks are the only

authentic sacks-not true. In fact, inks used on grainsacks differed

both in quality and ingredients due mostly to regional influences.

Some people will tell you the color of the stripes (on the sacks) is

an indicator of the region where the sack was produced-also a fallacy.

In fact, all different colors were used throughout Germany. Some

people will tell you the sacks are hand made by the farmers

wives-somewhat true, and somewhat false. While some farmers wives made

sacks, many farmers purchased finished sacks at mills and took them

home, where they applied their own stencil. Unless you have proof of a

solid provenance, there is no way to tell which grainsacks were made

by the farmers wives and which were purchased at a mill.

The very best way to make sure you are purchasing a genuine product is

to know your seller and to ask questions.  How did they authenticate

the grainsack? What are the criteria they used in the authentication

process? If they used an expert, who is the expert and what are their

qualifications?  If the seller says "I can just tell from years of

experience," that's not a good answer. A credible expert, selling a

quality product will have done their homework and will share the

tangible, specific details that authenticate a grainsack as the

genuine article.

Before spending a great deal of money you, the buyer, also need to do

your homework. Don't take information at face value, jot down the

information you receive from a seller and do your own research,

educate yourself about the history and use of grain sacks, crosscheck

the information you're given with solid facts, contact experts and

museums.