BOOKS
Many books would be represented dealing with holography and its branches of lasers, light and even philosophy. One thing is certain -- books *can* be an expensive part of collecting. Many books dealing with holography are not yet old enough or published in large enough numbers to be easily found on the used book rack. However, Ebay and other used boosk web sites are certainly options worth exploring. Remember though, holography is a technical science, and technical manuals can run up quite a bill. Fortunately, there are enough over-the-counter, inexpensive soft-covers to keep a collector busy for a long time. Most bookstores will gladly special order titles for you, although some may put an additional "finders fee" on the final cost -- but these charges are usually minimal.

First editions, especially those that are out-of-print, are a collectors dream and a field unto itself. This is the cream of book collecting. Whether you need first editions or simply a well handled later edition is a matter of preference. First editions accumulate the most value as the years go by, so looking to the future is a consideration that must be eventually confronted.

LETTERS, AUTOGRAPHS & SIGNATURES
Letters and autographs are collectibles. Another area of current collecting interest (and a hot one at that) is cancelled personal checks. Letters are more of a personal collectible, since many shouldn't be put on display or passed around. A letter or document written entirely in the hand of its author is called a "holograph". This, of course, has nothing to do with a "hologram". Holograms are not holographs, and vice-versa. A personal "signature" accompanies a letter or document, a stand-alone signature on a piece of paper or other item is an "autograph". The letters that I have on file are due to a newsletter that I published throughout the 1980's, but if you were to write to a holographer, I'm sure they would be glad to write a short note back. And don't pass over the beauty of the envelope. Many foreign stamps -- as well as U.S. -- are truly works of art unto themselves. The quality and feel of the paper, the design and printing of the letterhead, the penmanship -- get a feel for all these things.

Signed letter: New York Museum of Holography
founding director Rosemary "Posy" Jackson

A more recent way to collect is through email -- although not many traditionalists have accepted this method (but I'll mention it here nonetheless). Many collectors are getting email addresses of movie and sports stars and asking them to return an email. Then they keep the email as if it were a letter. This is a relatively brand-new area of collecting -- and is very easy to do. Just visit the websites of holographers around the world, and ask them if they would be kind enough to send an email back to you. Some collectors keep the email in it's electronic form, others print it out, frame it and display it. This is a very exciting way to build and begin your collection and should not be overlooked. Just be sure to let the person know why you are requesting a return email, and be polite in your asking.

EPHEMERA
Ephemera is any item that was designed to have a short lifespan. A train ticket is a perfect example: once used on its date and time, it no longer was needed and would be discarded. Many posters, announcements, postcards, exhibit catalogs, advertisements, industrial equipment catalogs, patents, etc. also fall under this category, and were available through holography museums, galleries, manufacturers and publications. Many years ago, through neglect, I lost an original poster for the inaugural tour of the New York Museum of Holography's "Through the Looking Glass". Don't make the same mistake. Either put it on the wall or keep it in a protective cylinder. Thankfully, I finally found my poster tucked away nicely in the attic. I was saved this time, but next time I may not have the same luck.

Equipment catalogs are highly collectible. They show photos of the eras' existing technology, and may also give technical drawings. As the field progresses and gas lasers, mirrors, lenses and filters are gradually replaced by semiconductor lasers, fiber optics, holographic optical elements, and computers -- and whatever will come after that -- these catalogs will take on an air of nostalgia. Just call a company and ask for a catalog. Most are more than happy to reply.

How about patents? Patents make a great addition to any collection. Many branch offices of the Free Public Library now have patent searches right in the library itself. I got all of the patents in my own collection at the main library in center city Philadelphia and paid around 10-cents per sheet of paper. Copies of patents may also be available online.

I especially enjoy how holography was (and is) used in advertising . . . and the older pieces (pre year 2000) hold the most interest for me.

The remainder of ephemera . . . the exhibit catalogs, holography posters, brochures, advertisements, fliers (broadsides), etc., and other pieces of paper-based collectibles, would need much more attention that I could ever possibly give them here.