Lest anyone think I have been resting on my laurels for the past month or so, I must plead to the contrary. First, I don't have any laurels! And secondly, I have been taking a good, long look at the collecting world . . . just to see how well holography stacks up to the myriad of other collecting interests.
A case in point is today's photo (above), which has little to no connection with holography (OK, so there ARE several holographers who are, or were, pipe smokers). In any case, what I find myself doing is looking around my work area, picking an object (any object), and finding out about who collects it. Tonight it was pipes, and, the famous Dr. Grabow pipes of yesteryear.
Now, I do not know much about Dr. Grabow pipes. But I imagine that the collecting world that surrounds it is not too different from the collecting world of lasers and holography. The more objects I research, the more I'm convinced of that fact. For instance, a forum thread that I found for a Dr. Grabow pipe collectors group was devoted exclusively to the boxes, pipe shape charts, point of purchase displays, and of course, the various coupons and misc. ephemera. Now, it is not too difficult to make the switch over to lasers and holography, correct? All one has to do is go down the list of items here at Antiquarian Holographica, and one is likely to find the very same categories (or darn close to being the same). For those that would like to go through the thread itself, you can find it at the Dr. Grabow Pipe Collectors Forum. Go through the entire thread and get a feel for the back-and-forth that takes place between collectors as they showcase their items. Other areas of the forum provide threads for the pipes themselves.
And, yes, I was a pipe smoker at one time, and I still maintain my collection (although no Dr. Grabows).
Also note that Dr. Grabows pipes were what could best be termed "popular" pipes. That is, they could be found in just about any reputable neighborhood pharmacy, smoke shop, and mens store. For some readers here, I'm sure that this would almost be a DIS- qualification for collecting them. But, keep in mind, it appears to be a very active forum, and a pretty popular (and affordable) collectible. Remember, some high-grade collectible pipes are well into the four figures in pricing here in 2012.
We have the same situation with lasers and holography: high-grade and the popular levels.
I continue to follow the collecting activities online for many different items. Look around the room that you are in. Chances are, just about every object that your eyes fall onto is being collected by someone. And, with the Internet, it can be in great (and surprising) numbers. See the calendar on the wall? There's a collectors group for that. What time is it? Check your clock, which also has a collectors group. Will you turn your desk lamp off when you're finished tonight? They're collectible too. Sign a check with your pen? A VERY active collectors group with pens. It really is never - ending.
Collecting is really all that I'm interested in as I continue to watch the days go by. I don't really want to learn a new holographic technique, or a new processing regimen. I don't want to talk online about the art, or the science. I'm just really interested in maintaining the collection for future generations, and to add to it whenever possible. Perhaps a "collectors only" forum should be in the works. No science. No technology. No tips and tricks. No DIY projects. Just collectors and collecting.
It might be a while before I could bring myself around to doing this, but its on the back burner. Write and let me know what you think. You all know how to reach me.
-- Frank
