NOW you see it, now you don’t: Holograms have been used to enhance a wealth of everyday items and have delighted art lovers for decades. Now in celebration of the milestone anniversary since holograms were first developed by Hungarian scientist Dennis Gabor, a special exhibition opens tomorrow (Saturday) at Buckinghamshire County Museum in Aylesbury.

Holograms – The First 60 Years is a touring exhibition drawn from the extensive collection of Jonathan Ross, namesake of the TV presenter and Britain’s foremost collector of holographic art.

Visitors can see works by international artists, as well as learn about how holograms have developed and the various uses they have had, from credit cards and cosmetics, to CDs, mobile phones, comic books and toys.

Jonathan, who has been collecting holographic art for 30 years, says the reaction at other venues hosting the exhibition has so far been “fantastic”.

He says: “People really seem to love this exhibition and I think that’s down to the surprise factor. They don’t realise what a versatile medium holograms are, and the exhibition does a great job of showing the many uses they have.

“What I really enjoy is being able to share these works and see people’s reactions.

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard the word ‘amazing’ used as much as when people are looking at these holograms.”

Since starting his collection in 1978, Jonathan has amassed “hundreds, if not thousands” of holographic artworks, so I ask him if he has any particular favourite.

“That’s a really hard question to answer,” ponders Jonathan. “But usually I do fall in love with whatever happens to be my latest purchase. Right now it’s a beautiful, full-colour case of butterflies by Yves Gentet, a French scientist.

“When you look at the image, it’s almost impossible to believe the butterflies are not there with you.”

Looking at his collection over the years, Jonathan explains that it’s easy to see just how far holograms have come. “The first ones were very rudimentary and then only in single colours,” he says. “But today they are in full colour and animated.”

He adds: “They are perhaps not as widely used as they once were, but I do think the arrival of digital production will change all that.

“And who knows? Maybe there will even be a huge resurgence in interest in just a few years.”

Holograms – The First 60 Years runs from Saturday, December 6 until Friday, March 21, 2009 at Buckinghamshire County Museum, Church Street, Aylesbury. Open Mondays to Saturdays, 10am to 4pm. Closed Thursday, December 25, Friday, December 26 and Tuesday, January 1. From Friday, February 13 open until 5pm. Details: 01296 331441 or www.buckscc.gov.uk/museum