Frank's Newsletter Email:

Remember, there is little, if any, background material available concerning Antiquarian Holographica. So much of the groundwork, legwork and penwork -- along with many hours of research -- will have to be done by you, the collector. The more you know, the more your collection will benefit, since much of your knowledge will show through in your asthetic judgements and decisions.

Whatever your plan is for reaching your goal, it should never be executed in a hap-hazard way. Decisions should be made intelligently and with great care as to what is worth having the honor of being part of your collection. Remember, this isn't "clutter" or "garage sale" mentality we're talking about here -- but a systematic recording of the history of holography.

Let's take a look at what a "typical" inexpensive collection might contain:

HOLOGRAMS
Embossed holograms would be represented from around the world, both stock images and images that are unique. Early "Limited Edition" embossed holograms such as "Bird and Rocks" from John Kaufmann, "Magic Teeth" by Harriet Casdin Silver (which came with it's own slipcase with the artists signature on it), or "Stargate" by Dan Schweitzer would make a good central part of the collection -- while at the same time being much less expensive than other works on glass plates or film by the artists. This is not to say that if you can afford the more expensive work that it should be overlooked. I'm using these examples of how you can own work from prominent artists without having to break the bank.

There are also magazines, books, catalogues, product packaging and brochures that have holograms as well. These printed pieces, and the embossed holograms, would be carefully placed in wax sleeves, numbered, identified and stored carefully away from thumbing curiosity seekers. Complete embossed sets, such as the "E.T" stickers from Hershey Reeses' Pieces would round out the collection. A unique and very highly collectible E.T. set would have all nine images on one uncut "proof" sheet of foil. These are much harder to come by, so would be valued more for a collection. In fact, Steve McGrew, who was then-President of Light Impressions (who manufactured the E.T. holograms for Hershey Foods) does not even have an uncut set. Nor, as he stated during a recent HoloTalk show, would he even know where to find one. This is the perfect example of what will drive a collectibles market. I know where to find one however . . . right in my own filing cabinet -- kept in a protective wax sleeve for years:

Uncut proof sheet of the famous "ET" embossed holograms.
This was the first example of "2-D/3-D" technology.

We'll take a more in-depth look at inexpensive embossed holograms later in this section, including a photo gallery. In the meantime, photopolymer holograms would also be considered collectibles, especially series like the one for Star Trek. The reflection holograms produced on standard silver-based film and sold throughout retail stores around the world are also a serious consideration.

PUBLICATIONS
Some newspaper and magaine articles, along with newsletters and press releases are filed as originals whenever possible or xerox copies when originals are not available. It is the collectors main effort however, to eventually track down original printed materials to eventually replace the xerox copies. Most magazine and newsletter publishers have back-issues available and will send you a copy if requested to do so (providing you send the appropriate costs plus postage). Of course, having an original issues verses a xerox is really a decision made by the collector based on individual preference. In the future, the original will be the most sought after, so the decision remains with the collector and their long term goals.

Of course, don't forget that many publications have holograms either inside or on the cover. This is a great way to get a "two for one" deal: a published story on holography that contains a hologram as well.

Next up: Books, Letters and Autographs and Ephemera