Multispectral imaging comprises the analysis of objects within different wavelengths to reveal features which cannot be seen by the human eye. In the field of art conservation (e.g. color measurements) and investigation (e.g. analysis of underdrawings in paintings) multispectral imaging techniques, such as Infrared/Ultraviolet Reflectography and Ultraviolet Fluorescence, have been applied. The same methods can be used in historical document analysis to reveal palimpsests and to enhance the legibility of ancient manuscripts. Within this paper the question is raised, if a Jewish postcard from 1942 censored by the Nazi Party, can be made legible by applying multispectral imaging in combination with laser cleaning. Hence, this paper gives an introduction to multispectral imaging techniques and its results in historical document analysis.
