The backside of a historical document can reveal interesting details about the document's history as an artifact. The details might relate directly to the document's travels, its owners, or handlers; or they might offer clues to the economic, social, and political conditions at the time of the document's creation. The back of a historical document can serve as a reminder that the value of a document is not just in its obvious content, but also in its obscure content and its physical form that the unexpected notations and material prompt questions and generate interest that can lead to exciting historical research and a deeper understanding of the past. All of the examples cited in this article are in the holdings of the National Archives and Records Administration.