Antiquarian Holographica

Graphic Arts Monthly 1969

holoservices@gmail.com (Frank DeFreitas) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:15:00 +0000

A rather obscure (hard to find), yet informative article about holography ran in the May 1969 issue of Graphic Arts Monthly. The article was titled: Progress in Holography, and it was written by then editor-in-chief (1965-1975) Paul J. Hartsuch. Mr. Hartsuch went on to write several books concerning the graphic arts field, but only this article in particular about holography. Naturally, upon finding this incredible piece of holography printed history, I went on a web search for Mr. Hartsuch. Unfortunately, there is not much biographical information about him that has made its way to this new global technology of ours. Unfortunate indeed!

Readers will no doubt recognize the above table layout. This was used as an illustration within the story, and is the table geometry for the original Conductron chess pieces hologram. The article by Mr. Hartsuch spent a good deal of ink on Conductron (Leith, Upatnieks, Ann Arbor), which was probably the company making the most waves throughout various industries at the time (and it now appears that graphic arts was one). It went on to talk about the advent of pulsed laser holography, and showed an example photo of a hologram that I have never seen before. I'm imagining that there are so many holograms (both laser transmission and pulsed ruby) that have yet to be seen outside the lab where they were shot. There was also another photograph of the inside of Conductron laboratories. Purists and other lovers of precision will appreciate the wavelength of the helium-neon laser given as 6328 Angstrom units.

All-in-all it is a quite pleasant article. It closes with this image (right) of two visitors looking at a hologram exhibit hosted on the mezzinine level of the General Motors Building, in New York City (on Fifth Ave. at 59th St.). For a new generation, they can only imagine the excitement of experiencing holography back then. However, that first experience is still just as exciting today!

I leave you with a piece of 1969 vintage geek: an early component stereo system by Panasonic. Remember, many of the stereo systems back then were "console" stereos. Some were so big you could be buried in one. If you were a hip cat with a groovy pad, this might be one of the stereos that you would have. It was the new, dependable "Solid State" technology, and proudly said so on the front. Although many audiophiles swore by tubes (and still do today), solid state was the latest advancement in accurate musical reproduction at the time.

Chances are very good that in 1969, someone, somewhere, was reading the article above, while listening to the stereo below . . .

Thanks for stopping by Antiquarian Holographica. Look for the release of my new "vintage geek" newsletter on the greatest era in holography.

And, Mr. Paul J. Hartsuch -- wherever you may be in 2009 -- thank you for the holography memories and another piece of holography printed history.

Compugraphic Editwriter 7500

holoservices@gmail.com (Frank DeFreitas) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 02:18:00 +0000

I know that many of you here received The Holo-Gram newsletter starting waaay back in the early 1980's. This is a photo of the machine used to publish it: the Compugraphic 7500. Many times when we think of holography, we think of the holographers themselves, the holograms they created, and the various pieces of laboratory equipment used in the process. Well, holography was a lot more than that. It took a lot of "stuff" to keep holography humming along throughout the past several decades. Printing and publishing was -- and still remains -- a big part of getting the word out there, and communicating to others on the "outside". Hence, one of the workhorses of the field: The Compugraphic Editwriter 7500.

The Compugraphic Editwriter 7500 had a composing screen, and typefaces (fonts) were placed on a rotating drum as strips of film (negatives). To set the type, a sync circuit fired a strobe light for the correct letter as it passed the aperture and focusing lens. Each lens determined the point size of the type being set (from 6 to 72 point on this particular machine). This flash exposed photosensitive paper (AGFA or KODAK) and was then wet-processed (Dev, fix). The photo paper was then dried and hot waxed, and laid out onto "boards". The boards were then either made into printing plates for the press or, in the case of the Holo-Gram newsletter, xeroxed. The screen was not WYSIWYG. I had to "picture" the layout in my head and hard code it. The little white rectangles below the screen are "font cards". They contained the font-width data for correct letterspacing. When you wanted to change a font, you had to swap out the cards, and change the filmstrips on the drum. Since the Holo-Gram newsletter was sent around the world for nearly 15 years with holography news and information (until the web site), the CompuGraphic 7500, the machine that made it possible, is part of our heritage.

What does it have to do with ephemera? Well . . . it created ephemera everyday!

For more information on holography, please visit my main web site.

The Typewriter Rides Again

holoservices@gmail.com (Frank DeFreitas) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:33:00 +0000

You're looking at a real piece of history here. It was the laptop PC of its day, in that it was portable and could be used anywhere, at any time. This model was a favorite of Hemingway. It was used in the field for some of the hottest breaking news of its era. It is the classic, Royal Quiet Deluxe manual typewriter. I have one, in mint condition, on its way to me as I type this post. It even has its own travel case. Cool does not get any cooler than this.

Yes, the founder of one of the very early holography web sites is returning to a manual typewriter. Why? Well, the reasons are many -- from the typewriters demand of orderly, disciplined thought, through the repetitive mechanical action, to the very sounds that keeps one's attention peaked. One has to totally interact with a typewriter. But mostly, because it is just such a good "fit" to what I am doing with Antiquarian Holographica, and the entire era of holography that it represents.

What goes around, comes around.

My Typewriting History
I'm sure that typewriter enthusiasts and Internet typecasters alike are going to eventually find this post. With that in mind, I'll give a little background to my own typewriting history. My manual typewriter usage goes back to junior high school. Back then (late 1960's), I had an old cast-iron Underwood desktop typewriter. This typewriter was very heavy! In high school (early 1970's), I still had the Underwood, but I also worked part time clerical jobs for both the Philadelphia School District, and the U.S. Government at the Frankford Arsenal in their summer employment of youth program. With these after-school and summer jobs, I was able to work on quite a selection of different typewriter models, both manual and electric. I had to type information on various forms for both places, so I learned how to set up relatively complex tabbing. In 1983, I started my home-grown holography periodical, The Holo-Gram, on a manual Olympia desktop typewriter (not quite as heavy as the Underwood typewriter, but heavy enough!). Every issue was typewritten before it was professionally typeset. Some parts of the newsletter (such as "from the editor") were left as typewritten. All of my correspondence was on a typewriter, too.

I also did typesetting from the late 1970's through the mid 1990's. I worked on several different systems, from early Compugraphic (including perforated paper tape), to their EditWriter 7500's, then to Mac's networked through Linotype Imagesetters (Linotronic 300) and RIPs. Of course, these weren't typewriters . . . but they were certainly related historically through their lineage in the printing and publishing industries.

I purchased my own first computer around 1990: an Amstrad with dot-matrix printer from Sears and Roebuck. After that I have been typing on Mac's (and I'm typing on one now).

Moving Ahead by Moving Back
I'm currently exploring a few options such as starting up another newsletter, this time focusing specifically on Antiquarian Holographica (ephemera), collecting holograms, "classic" retro holography, and the history of the Philadelphia holography scene. I'd like to publish it entirely via typewritten hard-copy, and send it to readers through the mail, world-wide. The goal is to make the newsletter look, feel and behave the way it would have in the era that the content is about. If you've ever seen the old typewritten newsletters of the 60's, 70's and into the 80's . . . that's the authentic look that I'm aiming to recreate once again . . . only this time in 2010.

What better way to write about, or read about, retro-holography!

For more information on holography, please visit my holoworld.com web site.

Allentown Hologram Exhibit 1989

holoservices@gmail.com (Frank DeFreitas) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:33:00 +0000

Holography II was a 1989 follow-up Lehigh Valley hologram exhibit to a previous event several years earlier. It was held at the Open Space Gallery on Hamilton Street in center city Allentown. It's hard to believe that 20 years have now passed since this event. The following article was printed in the Fall 1989 issue of The Holo-Gram newsletter. Click on the photo below to enlarge it for better reading.

For more information on Philadelphia-area holography, visit holoworld.com

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Setsuko Ishii Postcard

holoservices@gmail.com (Frank DeFreitas) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:33:00 +0000

Here is a postcard showing a hologram exhibit by Japanese artist Setsuko Ishii. You can view more of her work here.The exhibit is titled: "Work N", and it is dated from 1981. This particular exhibition photograph show several holograms of vacuum tubing, mixed in with actual physical vacuum tubes. The "real" vacuum tubes intermix with the holographic ones. Note the interesting spelling of the word "Hologrammes".

From the look of the photo contained on the postcard (photo credit to a "T. Nakasa"), it is difficult to determine whether the holograms are of the white light transmission (rainbow) variety, or if they are pseudo-color reflection holograms. It appears, but I'm not certain, that a few of the illuminating lights are coming down onto the holograms from above (note the circular light just under several of the holograms, on the floor space). If so, then they are reflection holograms. Regardless, it is an interesting interplay between what we would consider "real" and what we would consider not real: which is which?

There is handwriting at the lower right-hand side of the card that appears to be a slash and a number. With this postcard, the number looks to be #1211. Perhaps the postcards were an edition themselves. Only time and further research into the card will tell.

Life Magazine Holography

holoservices@gmail.com (Frank DeFreitas) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 01:00:00 +0000

It's one thing to read about the 1966 Life Magazine article on holography, but something quite altogether different to actually have one in your hands. Today's selection is just that, the original article that brought holography out of the laboratory and into the homes of mass culture. It wasn't as early as the Scientific American article of 1965, but as part of a popular culture mass publication, it reached more homes, offices, libraries . . . and waiting rooms from beauty salon's to physician offices. The famous photos were by Fritz Goro, and would go on to become classics in modern holography and photography. It is said to have taken two weeks to complete this photo shoot.

The late Emmett Leith holds a laser tranmission glass plate hologram up to the room light, showing the exposed and developed interference pattern held within the silver halide emulsion. While not resembling any recognizable image, once placed within an expanded laser beam and illuminated with laser light, an entire scene will appear to the viewer. Such were the early holograms. To this day, laser transmission holograms are my absolute favorite.

I personally get lots of pleasure seeing the old advertisements held within the pages of vintage magazines. I find photos of these old ads here and there on the Web, but many times it is due to someone making fun of them, mostly through sarcastic comments and writing. But, for me, living in a modern urban area in today's world, I take comfort in returning to these images of home, family and everyday life. What they represent seems far removed from so many today, but they're not really that far off in their depiction of how things really were. I also enjoy matching the culture of the era with its technological feats, such as holography or the Moon landing, etc. I guess that my interest in retro holography is one method for me to relive that era in a small way, every day.

For more information on retro holography, please visit my main web site at holoworld.com

And, don't forget, I now have my hologram postcard available, too!

The Hologram Postcard

holoservices@gmail.com (Frank DeFreitas) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:33:00 +0000

There aren't too many postcards available in the world today that contain a real 3D laser hologram. There are other types of 3D postcards, such as lenticulars that have been around for decades. But postcards with holograms are a true rarity. Believe me, I look for them all the time (including postcard shows!). So, I decided to design one of my own . . . and here it is.

I'm issuing this postcard to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the invention of the laser (1960-2010). You can view the hologram postcard in any ordinary light, such as a light bulb, sunlight, penlight, or even a candle. The magical holographic image is of an Egyptian Pharaoh, and it is placed right in the center of a matrix of historical laser and holography ephemera.

The realistic 3D hologram image on this postcard will truly amaze friends, family and co-workers (I know, I've seen their reaction to it already!). Buy one for yourself, or give it as a gift to someone. Place it into an already existing collection, or use it as the first piece in your own new collection. The price *INCLUDES* postage to anywhere in the world . . . so order yours now while supplies last.

My 26 years in the field of lasers & holography means you can buy with safety and confidence and all orders are filled and sent by me personally. You have my word on it. My mailing days are every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I will send this postcard to anywhere in the world.

The proceeds from the sale of this postcard will work to further advance the Antiquarian Holographica collection, as well as help provide funding for a Philadelphia regional holography heritage project. Considering how rare true hologram postcards are, I think you will find that I have kept the price very reasonable.

Frank DeFreitas

YOU CAN ORDER AT MY MAIN HOLOGRAPHY WEB SITE

South Jersey Postcard Club Show

holoservices@gmail.com (Frank DeFreitas) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:33:00 +0000

Last weekend I attended POCAX 2009, a postcard event put on by the South Jersey Postcard Club. It was held at the beautiful Doubletree Guest Suites in Mount Laurel. Even with the weather being somewhat on the miserable side, there seemed to be a strong turn out. I particularly enjoyed the postcard exhibits, of which I include two photos here today. Yes, there were people viewing the exhibits, and they stepped back out of the pictures when I began taking these. See how nice and polite postcard people are?

For those of you not familiar with a postcard exhibition, visitors can vote on their favorite "board" of postcards, usually assembled by the members of the hosting postcard club. I've been to several of these, and it is always difficult to pick a favorite, but this time around it was much more so than usual. However, I did manage to settle on one in particular, cast my ballot, thanked everyone, and was on my way (it was a very busy scheduled day for me, so I only had approx. 20 minutes of free time to visit).

I didn't go into the ballroom where the dealers where selling postcards, as that usually turns into a disappointment when it comes to finding any holography-related postcards. However, I always look for the positive, and I see all this as a great opportunity within the postcard world to share my own collection and experience. The postcard world has yet to see and appreciate these absolutely gorgeous postcards! I'll have an announcement coming up for a big event in Feb. of 2010 for holography postcards in the PA, NJ, NY, DE, and MD areas.

Here's another closing shot of one of the postcard exhibit areas:

Philadelphia Holography: Norristown

holoservices@gmail.com (Frank DeFreitas) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:32:00 +0000

The Philadelphia regions of southeastern Pennsylvania and southwestern New Jersey have a very rich history with early holography (1960's onward). Through my own work with the Antiquarian Holographica collection, I have been putting together what I've been referring to (tentatively) as the Philadelphia Regional Holography Heritage project. I am hoping that by eventually providing this regional information to a world-wide audience, it will bring the participants and activities more to the forefront of holography's historical record.

With that being said, here are some photos of a recent trip to visit the site of the former early commercial hologram production company: Holex Corporation in Norristown, PA:

(above) Norristown, Pennsylvania is just northwest of the city of Philadelphia. For anyone with average fitness, one could bicycle commute into at least the northern part of the city. So, for all practical purposes, when one says "Norristown" it is taken for granted that it is part of the Philadelphia region. As with most surrounding areas, it is heavily steeped in the Nation's history, both through the Revolutionary War and the Civil War periods. These small towns "bank" on these associations to bring tourists. Holography is not on the radar. Yet.

(above) Downtown Norristown approaching from the exit of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. This is only several blocks away from where Holex was once located (on the same street). My mother lived on this street with my older brother and sister for several years in the 1960's (just past the above traffic light). I lived in the city of Philadelphia itself with relatives. My brother and I would play on this very street when I would visit. My father was in his 60's when I was born, and my mother died when I was in Junior High School. So this entire area has a lot of memories for me to drive down.

(above) Approaching the former address of Holex Corporation. At first I thought that it may have been torn down, due to the empty lot to my immediate left. But then I realized that it would not have been the correct numerical address -- and that the battered building that was becoming visible was, in fact, the correct address.

(above) After pulling into the lot to park, the state of the building became more noticeable. I wasn't quite sure if I had truly found the right address, but I noticed two signs on the left-hand side of the building. I parked and got out of the car to check to see if I had indeed arrived at the former site of Holex Corporation.

(above) Here is a close up of the current business signs and their addresses printed on them. The Holex address at the top is actually a photo from their early stationary that I pasted into the picture. From this evidence, I have to assume that the building that was in front of me had to be Holex at one time in the past. Unless the post office itself changed the numerical address from another building standing at one time in the past to this one . . . which is possible, but highly unlikely. Plus, I knew that there could not be another building (currently) with the same address, so I could eliminate that possibility. I knew that I had finally arrived at Holex.

(above) I went around to the side of the building, all the way to rear, and saw that it had been broken into and vandalized. Weeds had been growing around the perimeter, perhaps for the entire season. I assumed that there had not been anyone here -- even from the latest businesses -- in quite some time. One sees a lot of these types of abandoned buildings in the cities. I had them in my own neighborhood growing up (Frankford and Kensington areas of Phila). One has to be careful when entering, because many times people are living in these buildings. Also, used needles from heroin and meth use can pierce through running shoes. I had on heavy work boots, so I proceeded to enter.

(above) Just in case I didn't come out again, I thought it good to capture a picture of myself. The expression on my face shows the state that the inside of the building was in. Obviously there had been a devastating fire sometime in the past here. I continued into the deep interior of the building, while light was still available from holes in the roof.

(above) A shot of the deep interior, using flash for lighting. If this is, indeed, the former Holex holography laboratories, I wondered which room housed the holo tables, dark room, offices, etc. I was able to make my way around the inside of the building, enough to photo capture its room layout for possible future reconstruction on paper. So, I have many photos of the interior -- all of it in this condition.

(above) It is fairly obvious that this building will be condemned and possibly destroyed. What was once an important historical landmark for the development of holography in this country, and the world, will be gone. With that in mind, I brought back a brick that was lying in a pile from the building. Usually, there is an unwritten rule to leave things as you found them when exploring these abandoned buildings, but in this case, and under these circumstances, I believe we all would be served better to have one brick remaining to say to the future: this brick is from the Holex Corporation building in Norristown, Pennsylvania. Note the charring present from the fire.

(above) Holex was famous for its commercial laser transmission holograms, of which I have a library of, including misprints (accidental double exposures), and test shots (film before it was laminated). Not to mention the paper-based ephemera. They also produced white light transmission holograms (see below), and I also have a 360-degree multiplex (stereogram) from them (Balinese Dancer, 1976), but I'm not sure if another company produced it for them.

(above) Example of their WLT holograms (1975). Many were sold through Edmund Scientific in Barrington, NJ.

(above) One of their laser transmission holograms that one doesn't see too many of entitled: "Bang, Bang".

IN CLOSING: Holex Corporation is mentioned in several articles and books on the history of holography, but to no great extent. Certainly not to the extent that they should be mentioned. I won't go into the history here, as that is for yet another time and place as this regional project unfolds. But each and every person and place has quite a story . . . as this region was filled with early holographic activity. It is fun doing the research and making the trips. In many ways it is like having my own past flash before me again. However, instead of a young man, this time I catch a glimpse -- every so often -- of white hair and obviously aging stature. That's life. Hopefully, I can do something with mine that will add knowledge and enjoyment to those in the future.

Join the Philadelphia Regional Holography Heritage Email List

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The Philadelphia Regional Holography Heritage project is open to everyone worldwide. Stay abreast of holography history news and events in this region of the country. Just click on the box above to begin your easy registration.

Hologram Instruction Sheet 1971

holoservices@gmail.com (Frank DeFreitas) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:33:00 +0000

We'll begin this new week of holography ephemera with a 1971 Edmund Scientific (Barrington, NJ) hologram information and instruction sheet (4 pages). Very early on, Edmund's began selling holograms in their retail store, and the earliest of those were from the Conductron Corporation (later to be joined by Holex Corporation located in Norristown, PA, just northwest of Philadelphia). For the most part, the majority of the holograms being produced commercially at this time were laser transmission holograms. Therefore, if the purchaser did not have a laser (and most did not), they had to be instructed on how to assemble a "filter box". This filter box (of which I have one that is still unassembled), was folded and placed in front of a white light source, such as a slide projector lamp, and included a red gelatin filter. This would create a reconstruction source as close to the monochromatic properties of laser light as possible. However crude, it worked reasonably well . . . especially if someone had never viewed a hologram using a laser source before.

I would say that the mid 1960's to the mid 1970's was the most exciting time for me at Edmunds. Their incredible retail store was located on the same property as their corporate offices and lens manufacturing facilities. A visit to Edmund Scientific was an exciting event for a kid (as well as most adults) . . . whether you enjoyed astronomy, chemistry, electricity, rocks and minerals, optics (even "op art"!), or a host of other amateur / hobbyist science and technology. They also had a sound and light-show theater, with public shows on the half-hour.

I would also like to call your attention to their early corporate logo. Its design appeals to me so much more than their subsequent ones, including their current one. Of course, you may disagree.

Spending my life in the region, I have an entire sub-collection of historical holograms and paper-based ephemera from the early Philadelphia years. The city itself, and its surrounding regions, truly had an incredible early history in holography, make no mistake about it. Sometimes I feel that this history is often ignored in favor of the standard, and often told, "history of holography" story (you know the drill . . . East Coast: New York; West Coast: San Francisco). But Philadelphia isn't the only area of the nation to fall victim to this bi-regional, early-holography conspiracy: there are a few others that get the short end of the stick as well. Ann Arbor and Chicago are two that come to mind.

However, when all is said and done, my own first love -- if I were permitted to have one in holography -- would have to be the Philadelphia region. And Edmund Scientific, being just across the Delaware River via the Ben Franklin or Walt Whitman bridges (or the Tacony-Palmyra bridge driving from my old neighborhood), holds a place dear to my heart. I hope one day to be able to not only exhibit all of the historical Philadelphia-region holograms and ephemera in the Antiquarian Holographica collection, but to also tell the story as well. Or at least let the holograms and ephemera tell the story. As for the collection of Philadelphia-regional materials, it is significant, it is pristine, and taken in its entirety, could change the popular story of holography for future generations. New York and San Francisco be forewarned. ;-)

Hey . . . are you looking for more information on holography? Well, you've come to the right place. Just click on this link and it will take you to my main holography web site. You're just a mouse click away from starting your own hologram journey!

Jack's Deli Napkin Philadelphia

holoservices@gmail.com (Frank DeFreitas) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:33:00 +0000

My selection for today's holography-related ephemera is a napkin -- yes, a napkin -- from Jack's Deli, located on Bustleton Ave. in Northeast Philadelphia. It is one of my favorite pieces in the collection. Hey, I'm not kidding! It shows the Jack's Deli logo, along with a hand-drawn, holography table geometry. Jack's Deli was a favorite meeting place for several Philadelphia-area holographers . . . and other holographers from out of the area as well, who happened to be just passing through. Other area favorites would be the Casino Deli just off the Roosevelt Blvd. at Welsh Road, and Nick's Roast Beef on Cottman Avenue.

I can hear your thoughts: "A Deli Napkin? Come on Frank . . . after such great Conductron Corporation and Science Year Book posts earlier in the week? What gives?"

Oh, I understand. I hear it all the time: I will be speaking with someone about ephemera, and they will undoubtedly mention one of the very valuable documents in their collection. Or another piece that is associated with someone famous, or a piece that is very rare. Keep in mind however, that value, fame and rarity has little to do with making something into a true piece of ephemera. Ephemera has more to do with the "everyday incidentals" of life. Emphasis on the word incidental.

How then, can an item of so little value to the average person, be considered so very valuable by the collector of ephemera? And how can yet another item of obviously very high value to the average person, be of so little value and interest to the ephemerist?

This ephemera business is a tough one to understand, isn't it?!

I was going to write more about this particular napkin, but I decided against it. Why? Well, many ephemerists like to do their own research on a given piece. Therefore, the less that is known about this napkin, the better. You would not believe the history that can be told (and the stories that have already been told), from the simplest piece of old paper. All from good detective work. Entire worlds have been re-built around seemingly scrap paper by inquiring ephemerists. So I leave this napkin for the future . . . and for the amateur armchair detectives to come up with its story.

Until then, my fellow ephemera brothers and sisters, keep stopping by to find the finest in retro holography in print. I have thousands upon multiple thousands of items in the collection. All related to an age in holography that is now long gone . . . but will NEVER be forgotten.

For more information on my holography workshops (located just outside of Philadelphia), visit my holoworld.com web site.

P.S. I had to fix a typo today, so I thought I'd post a picture of the BEST pastrami sandwich in Philadelphia. Enjoy . . . I know that I did . . .

World Book Science Year 1967

holoservices@gmail.com (Frank DeFreitas) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 10:33:00 +0000

I searched and searched. I dropped hints. I even had a person or two say that they'd send one to me. But through all these years, I had never been able to add the famous 1967 World Book Science Annual to my collection. For one reason or another, and the reasons are many, the luxury of owning a copy would just slip right past me. Something so simple! Until September 10th of this year (2009). On this day, I not only located one, but purchased it for the grand total of two dollars and eight cents ($2.08 US).

Why was this important to me? Well, if memory serves me correctly, I believe that this is the hologram that I viewed as my first hologram in 1968 (removed from the book, naturally). It was on display at Edmund Scientific in Barrington, New Jersey, and was illuminated with a low-power 0.5mW HeNe laser. It was the hologram that made me determined, right then and there, to become involved with holography.

Above, of course, is the laser transmission hologram itself, which was included in each of the volumes. Which make this a logical follow-up post to Monday's Conductron Corporation post here at Antiquarian Holographica. Why? Well, because Conductron produced these holograms. All 500,000 of them . . . AND . . . all of them BY HAND. They would examine one roll of finished film, while another roll was being processed in the darkroom, and another roll exposed in the lab. Their highest output for one day? Sixteen thousand. Yes, sixteen thousand (or so the story goes!).

So, now I'm a member of the Science Year club. Finally. As for the hologram . . . well . . . it's worthwhile to view with nice, clean laser light. It leaves a little to be desired when using white light and the included red filter -- but, to be honest, I'm very impressed with the results that way as well (all things considered, including the era and the available technology).

Conductron Corporation Holography

holoservices@gmail.com (Frank DeFreitas) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:33:00 +0000

Today's holography-related ephemera is a marketing piece entitled "Laser Photography" and produced by Conductron Corporation of Ann Arbor, Michigan. For holography history buffs, Conductron should require no introduction, but for the sake of the informal web visitor we shall say that this piece dates back to the 1960's, during the developmental years of holography. On a more popular note, Conductron produced all 500,000 of the laser transmission holograms placed within the 1967 Science Yearbook (with a production run of up to 16,000 per day, by hand). They were also a hotbed of early holographic research and innovation; and many of the methods and techniques used today can trace their roots back to the Conductron days (including full-color holography).

I love the term "laser photography". It was also used in a 1960's issue of Scientific American when writing about holography. With the misuse of the term "hologram" reaching epidemic proportions on the Internet today, I've often thought about dropping the word in all of my materials, and going back to laser photography. Of course, the term laser photography has its various definitions now on the 'Net . . . so I don't know if I'd be losing a headache, or gaining one!

Inside this tri-fold is one of their famous white light reflection holograms, "Marching Band" (see photo below). Copies of this hologram (a laser transmission hologram H1 to H2 -- at the time known as focused image hologram), were later to have the honor of being the image included in Gabor's volume of his Nobel Prize acceptance speech. Crop downs of this marching band hologram have also been included on a number of other items as well.

Included are instructions on viewing (smaller, left panel), quotes from Life Magazine and the Wall Street Journal (center panel, under hologram); and additional quotes from The New York Times, Electronic Design magazine, and ASTME Vectors. The back cover was solid black, with just the company name, address (3475 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48107 for those who wish to look it up on Google Earth), their phone number at the time, and their corporate logo. No web site or email. ;-)

For more information on holography, or to make a hologram on your own in the New York, Philadelphia or Baltimore / D.C. areas, just visit my HOLOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS section of the web site. I provide vintage, retro workshops using techniques from the early days of holography. If you like holography history, you'll love my workshops! My workshops are easy to remember on the web: holographyworkshops.com!

Dionys Gabor 1927

holoservices@gmail.com (Frank DeFreitas) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:33:00 +0000

Oszillographieren von Wanderwellen mit dem Kathodenoszillographen

Dissertation zur Erlangung der Wurde
eins Doktor-Ingenieurs
der Technischen Hochschule zu Berlin

Vorgelegt am 7 August 1926
von
Dipl.=Ing. Dionys Gabor
aus Budapest

Genehmigt am 28. Januar 1927

Verlag der Vereinigung der Elektrizitatswerke e. V.
Berlin 1927

------
Facsimile gift from Holographic National Conference, Berlin, 1997

Hard Drive Crash

holoservices@gmail.com (Frank DeFreitas) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:57:00 +0000

Hello everyone. I experienced a hard-drive crash this morning. I'm fortunate to have backed-up important files, but my OSX is fried. I'm currently online using OS9 and its associated browsers from back then. Unfortunately, these older browsers work with some things and not others. For instance, I can type to my blog posts, but the photo uploader will not work, etc.

So, please stand by while I work through these issues.

-- Frank

Maurice Rickards: This is Ephemera

holoservices@gmail.com (Frank DeFreitas) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 10:33:00 +0000

Perhaps the new month and arrival of the Fall season would be a good time to make a few posts about books on ephemera. After all, with the word ephemera coming to mean so many different things on the Internet -- from the accurate to the outrageous -- it wouldn't hurt to review the resources available. To learn not only the history of the word, but the history of the field as well.

One such example is today's selection. "This is Ephemera: Collecting Printed Throwaways", by one of the all-time authorities on the field, Maurice Rickards (1919-1998). Published in 1977 and printed by The Gossamer Press, it is the forerunner to the eventual, and now classic, Collecting Printed Ephemera, and the latest (and some say greatest) Encyclopedia of Ephemera.

Although only 64 pages (very much like many of today's self-published books), it is packed with both definitions and examples of everyday ephemera. To today's Internet ephemera enthusiast, it would be considered a rather conservative writing on the subject. I am very conservative with my own collection of ephemera, so its narrow path appeals to me.

I do not intend to turn this into a book review, you can take care of that yourself. I would however, like to mention one passage that always calls out to me. Actually, it is one example of where the book is still out in front of the common crowd. It is as follows:

The appeal of ephemera is not necessarily in its extreme rarity or great age. It is rather in the mind and eye of the collector...

I have always found this to be a very important note: that ephemera is ephemera due to its fleeting nature, not due to its age. Ephemera is created each and every day. A 19th century bill head is ephemera, but so is yesterday's bus ticket. For collectors of holography-related ephemera -- which took place since the second-half of the 20th century, and is still taking place today -- it is officially just as much ephemeral as any other item from any previous time period.

This is Ephemera is rather hard to find, but copies show up every so often through Ebay, and various independent sellers on Amazon. It is not expensive when one does happen to find a copy, so if you see one available, do yourself a favor: buy it, read it, and get to know ephemera better.

Fred Unterseher

holoservices@gmail.com (Frank DeFreitas) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 10:33:00 +0000

A note from Holography Handbook author Fred Unterseher, when he was working at the Museum of Holography in New York in 1983. It states:

Frank:

Good talking with --

Keep making good holograms.

Fred Unter

9/9/83

FUTURESIGHT: New Zealand

holoservices@gmail.com (Frank DeFreitas) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 10:33:00 +0000

A true piece of holography-related ephemera: a blank "get in free" ticket from the Futuresight: Innovations in Art Holography exhibits held in New Zealand. The venues for the traveling holographic art exhibit included: Auckland Institute and Museum; Wellington City Art Gallery; The Robert McDougall Art Gallery; and Dunedin Public Art Gallery. All hosted in 1988, and sponsored by the Electricity Corporation of New Zealand Limited. The holograms (from 25 artists in all) were selected from the permanent collection of the Museum of Holography, New York City, arranged via Paul Barefoot, now of HoloPhile.

This traveling exhibit also toured throughout the U.S. to major metropolitan and outlying areas. I will include other pieces, from other places, as time goes on. And, if not, at least let it be known that they are in the collection: small posters, tickets, brochures, programs, etc. all for FutureSight.

For more information, please visit my holography web site at: holoworld.com. If you'd like to make a hologram of your own, you'll love my year-round holography workshops in Allentown, PA.

Dieter Jung Postcard

holoservices@gmail.com (Frank DeFreitas) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 10:33:00 +0000

Today's holography-related ephemera is a postcard from German holographic artist, Professor Dieter Jung. It bears mentioning that he was already an internationally known fine artist before beginning his work in holography. Dr. Jung has been contributing to the Antiquarian Holographica collection, adding to the pieces that have already been in storage over the decades. This particular piece (shown on the postcard) is titled: Gegenwarts-Räume, it is 42 x 32 cm in size (the actual hologram, not the postcard), and is from 1984. The postcard is from Kunsthochschule für Medien Köln. The half-tone line screen is actually measuring 200, so it is one of the finest printing of postcards that I have in the collection (my screen gauge only goes up to 200!). This postcard, as are the majority in the collection, is unused.

The last job that I had out in the real world (before moving into the fantasy world of holography full-time) was a color editor at Rodale Press, publishers of Prevention, Runner's World, Bicycling, Men's Health, Organic Gardening, and so on. My job was to wet mount transparencies on drum scanners, then do color editing to match the original, using highly-calibrated monitors. I try to do the best job that I can here at home with this blog, too. Although for copyright purposes I keep the images small and low-res. You can imagine the challenge that this particular postcard presented in order to obtain color accuracy to match the original. Since it is a fine work of art (depicted on a postcard), I hope that I have succeeded given the circumstances.

For more information on holography, please visit my holoworld.com web site. I'll also be having several major presentations on holography-related ephemera in 2010, so if you would like to attend, please join my mailing list found at the web site.

Hologram Postcard

holoservices@gmail.com (Frank DeFreitas) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:33:00 +0000

This relatively recent postcard (1994) depicts the Hong Kong waterfront circa 1920. It also contains a square hologram of the 1865 Queen Victoria 96c Definitive Stamp. The card was designed by Arde Lam, and was produced by the Hong Kong government printing office in commemoration of the first international philatelic exhibition to be held there. The printing process is lithographic; and the half tone line screen reads 175. It is postage-paid, and cancelled Hong Kong Feb. 15, 1994. The hologram is 2D-3D (two planes) silver embossed. The postcard is unused.

For more information on holography, visit the holoworld.com web site. If you're in the Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore area(s), you can also make your own hologram at one of my famous holography workshop programs -- all within a single-day's drive.

Doris Vila Barbecue Invitation

holoservices@gmail.com (Frank DeFreitas) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 10:33:00 +0000

Today's selection is truly a priceless piece of holography-related ephemera: a hand-designed invitation to a "Holographers Grill and Tell" barbecue with holographic artist Doris Vila. This event was held in Chicago on Sunday, May 17, 1988 starting at 4:00 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring holograms, and that for your viewing pleasure many point sources, red-hot HeNe and Glowing Embers would be available.

This piece is part of a recent cache of ephemera donated to the Antiquarian Holographica collection by Doris. Why not stop by her web site for more information on her work in holography and other media HERE.

Light by Alexander Efron

holoservices@gmail.com (Frank DeFreitas) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:33:00 +0000

When looking for holography-related ephemera, once in a while you're lucky, most of the times you're not. In today's case, I happened to stop at a roadside antiques shop where I found not just one book, but two great books. This selection is titled: Light, and is by Alexander Efron. It is part of the Basic Science Series, a Rider Publication, and is noted as "No. 200-4" in the series. It was published in 1958. The introduction states:

"THE nature and behavior of light and the mechanics of vision are of almost universal interest. The general reader who has a camera, everyone who wears glasses or uses a magnifier or microscope, amateur satellite-spotters, and all who are interested in color, color reproduction, and home or office lighting will find that this book is invaluable."

How fascinating that it was published before the first laser was invented, or the first hologram created. However, even for the modern-day holographer, there is plenty to learn -- explained in easy-to-understand everyday language for the layman. In fact, the entire second-half of the book is devoted to wave theory. Something that certainly could take up thousands of pages, but in our case, several chapters will do, thank you.

It is so rare to ever find anything related to lasers, light or holography when "out and about" that when something does make itself available, it is always a treat. This particular book cost me $2.00 US. The other book, which I will highlight at a later time, lists for nearly $100.00 US on Amazon.com. I obtained it for $8.00 US. What a day!

For more information on holography and holograms, visit my holoworld.com web site.

Jonathan Ross: Stamps and Envelopes

holoservices@gmail.com (Frank DeFreitas) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 10:33:00 +0000

I hope that you are all well aware that the Antiquarian Holographica collection is by no means the *only* collection of holography-related ephemera in the world. Case in point is this guest picture, sent by Jonathan Ross, of selected holo envelopes and stamps. These items were sent to Jonathan over the years, sometimes as friendly correspondence and other times as requests for his own catalog or services, etc.

To the casual observer, these items are just what they represent themselves to be: stamped envelopes. However, to the serious ephemerist, they contain artwork such as logos and logotype that represent an era that is now forever in the past. As I have stated in other posts, corporate correspondence from the latter half of the twentieth century cannot compete with the overall design and artistic and production skills required for the latter half of the nineteenth century (check out nineteenth century billheads, for instance). And with holography being so connected to not only art, but science and technology as well, this added to the rather cold and calculated "look" of its corporate image.

Thanks to Jonathan for providing todays image, and please visit his web site and holo collection HERE.

Postcards: First Place Blue Ribbon

holoservices@gmail.com (Frank DeFreitas) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 10:33:00 +0000

Ephemera results from a recent exhibition event (local):

First Place Blue Ribbon: POSTCARDS (holography art exhibits of the world); Second Place(s): POSTAL STAMP COLLECTION (hologram stamps of the world), VINTAGE PHOTOGRAPH (holography scientist Emmett Leith, 1964), CHILDREN'S BOOK (The Mirrorstone, first book ever published with holograms); Third Place: RARE BOOK (The Nature of Light, 1898).

The exhibition / competition is part of the Great Allentown Fair, Allentown, PA. The exhibit center is also the home base for the Great Eastern Book & Paper Show, one of the most popular and well-attended vintage book and paper events in the USA. The Allentown Fair is one of America's oldest county fairs, running since the year 1852. The 2009 fair attendance was 500,000 people for the week -- many of whom visited the ever-popular exhibition areas. Entertainment for this year included Kelly Clarkson; Chicago; Earth, Wind and Fire; and Tim McGraw.

It was a lot of fun to prepare for this event. It gave the public an opportunity to view historical items related to the field of holography, and also helped to promote collecting its paper-based memorabilia to enthusiasts.

Never Forget

holoservices@gmail.com (Frank DeFreitas) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 10:33:00 +0000