Bob Madle's American Letter

By Airmail from the U.S.A.

from Nebula No.39. February 1959.

First of all, a brief statement concerning this brand-new department is probably appropriate. Its scope will be vast—for it is intended that it will cover all aspects of the science fiction field, slanted, primarily, from the American point of view.

Those of you who have been reading Walter Willis's excellent department in this magazine are well-acquainted with the science fiction fan movement. Walt has told you a great deal about this group of loyal, vociferous, and extremely enthusiastic readers of science fiction. He has indicated how this group writes letters to the various discussion columns of Nebula and its contemporaries; he has talked of science fiction collections; and he has described other facets of the fan field, such as the intensive correspondence within the group, the publication of innumerable amateur publications ("fanzines"), and the length to which many fans will go to attain personal contact—through conferences and conventions, which are held all over the world. Yes, the science fiction fan is an enthusiast. And he is a philanthropist also. Which brings me to the subject of "The Transatlantic Fan Fund," our lesson for today.

Like many other things in the s-f world, it all started with Forrest J. Ackerman. Forry, who is known in America as "Mr. Science Fiction," has been reading s-f since 1926 and has been a science fiction fan since the inception of the term. He was projected into fandom through being a demon letter writer, and he started at a very early age. I can still recall his first letter-to-the­ editor. It appeared in the Fall, 1929 issue of Science Wonder Quarterly and started off thusly "Although I am only twelve years old. . . ." Through this, and subsequent letters, Forry obtained many, many correspondents, a large number of whom were residents in Great Britain .

During World War II, when it appeared that the British fan world was doomed to extinction, Forry kept it alive by contributions of books, magazines, paper, money — even mimeo stencils. As legend will have it, his British s-f friends wanted to repay Forry by paying his way to the U.K. Forry, philanthropist that he is, wanted it the other way. He wanted American fans to bring a British fan to America for a World Convention. As a matter of fact, Forry wanted to bring two British s-f fans to America simultaneously, if possible.

Thus was created "The Big Pond Fund," which was one of the projects of the 1947 World Science Fiction Convention, held in Philadelphia . The basic idea behind the Big Pond Fund was that fandom, through voluntary contributions, would pay the passage of the first fan ambassador. Unfortunately, fandom was comparatively young (and small) and it wasn't until 1949 that Forry's dream materialised when Ted Carnell made it to the "Cinvention ", held in Cincinnati , Ohio . And even at that Ted paid a good portion of his expenses out of his own pocket. But the die was cast.

Some time in 1949 a young fan appeared on the scene with an unpretentious publication called Slant. This fan resided in Ireland and, as he was unaware of other fans in Ireland , communicated with American fans by sending them his magazine. The result of this was a large number of correspondents and an excellent staff of writers. This, coupled with meticulous typesetting and excellent format, catapulted Slant to the top group of fanzines. And up the ladder with Slant went its meticulous editor, Walter A. Willis.

In 1951, Shelby Vick started a campaign to bring Willis, the fan world's brightest new star, to the "Nolacon" ( New Orleans ). However, the campaign didn't bear fruit until 1952 when Walt made it to the "Chicon" ( Chicago , Illinois ). When Walt returned to Ireland he wrote up a lengthy report of his trip, "The Harp Stateside". This interesting document appeared in many instalments in various fanzines and has now been published complete in pamphlet form. (Obtainable from Willis for 2/- or 35 cents at 17o Upper Newtownards Road , Belfast , Ireland . (And with the publication of "The Harp Stateside" another fannish tradition was born, for it is expected that the recipient of the TAFF trip will write up his adventures so general fandom (or those who contributed for the trip) will be able to read it.

Immediately following the 1952 "Chicon" Donald E. Ford, of Ohio , started a campaign to bring an English friend of his to the 1953 World Convention in Philadelphia . However, the friend, one Norman Ashfield of London , proved unable to come. Ford wrote to Willis offering the money to any British fan who might be able to make the trip. Ford's letter arrived just about the time of the British Coroncon (1953) and it resulted in Willis, Carnell, Ken Slater, and several other fans organising The Transatlantic Fan Fund.

" Southgate in '58!" has been a legendary fannish war-cry for many years. And Southgate in '58 it was, for Los Angeles , which is a suburb of Southgate , was awarded this past year's convention. Ron Bennett, editor of the fan magazine Ploy, was the choice of both Britain and America , and has just recently completed a three-week stay in the colonies.

This brief report has attempted to cover TAFF history and display how solid and worthy a fan effort it is. Anyone who is interested in seeing the fine fannish tradition of TAFF become even more popular is invited to write to Walt Willis at the address already mentioned.

 from Nebula No.40. May 1959.

Nebula's own Forrest J. Ackerman has struck pay dirt! Last year he compiled the first issue of Famous Monsters of Filmland, a publication replete with photographic stills and information pertaining to fantasy and science fiction films of the past and present. The first issue sold more than 500,000 copies, so goes the rumour, and a second issue is doing even better. (I am informed that 20,000 copies have also been distributed in Great Britain .)

Forry has been known for many years at Mr. Science-Fiction. , far back as 1932 Forry was writing articles on scientifilms for the first and almost legendary, fan magazine, The Time Traveller. Since then Forry's  scientifilm columns have appeared in scores of publications and his knowledge of this facet of the science fiction field as increased to such an extent that he is, without a doubt, the last word when it comes to s-f movies.

Little did Forry realize, however, that he would unleash a Frankensteinian monster on the world when he tapped his almost unlimited source of s-f movie information. No sooner were the circulation figures of his first issue released than other segments of the publishing world, always quick to jump in when it appears that a fast buck can be made, flooded the market with imitations. As  a consequence,  American news  stands are now buckling under with such titles as Monster Parade, Monsters and Things, World Famous Creatures and Shock Tales. To make matters worse, one rather reputable s-f magazine (Super Science Fiction) has come out with a "Special Monster Issue "! I hope this isn’t the beginning of a trend for wouldn’t it be horrible to visit your favourite news stand and purchase a copy of Nebula Monster Fiction!

"First Fandom is not dead!" So says the slogan of science fiction's newest organization, known as First Fandom. What, some of you may ask, is First Fandom—or what is any fandom for that matter? Well, briefly, s-f historians of the present have studied in vivid detail the entire past of science fiction fandom. The results of these studies have indicated definite eras—or fandoms—that have existed for several years at a time. Consequently, it has been determined that fandom really organized about the end of 1929. This was First Fandom (although they who comprised it were not aware of this, of course) and this era of fandom has displayed itself to be the lengthiest, extending until circa 1937. (Some will debate this and say it ended in 1935 or 1936, but it is all a matter of conjecture. Jack Speer, of California , originally conceived of and separated science fiction fandom into definite segments of history. Jack, incidentally, was elected to the California State Legislature during the recent Democratic landslide—although this, fact has little to do with eras of fandom).

Which brings us back to the organization known as First Fandom. It is the brain-child of a group of fans consisting of C. L. Barrett, MD., Don Ford, Lynn Hickman, Bob Madle, Lou Tabakow. It is a fun-loving organization like the Shriners and Cooties. And First Fandom is for the old-timers. The date of December 31, 1937 has arbitrarily been made the cut-off date. Anyone who can show any connection with any aspect of science fiction fandom prior to that date is eligible for membership.

First Fandom offers the old-timer a chance to contact old friends again. Also, it offers the old-time fan an opportunity to get back into the field again. Often a fan drifts away into mundane existence. It is a known fact that, in numerous instances, he retains his interest in science fiction—but feels that he would be lost if he attended a convention, or visited the old science fiction club again. Perhaps if the old-time fan does attend a convention he leaves early, never to return again.

It is planned for First Fandom to have a club bulletin (primarily to maintain an up-to-date roster of members); a membership card and an insignia patch will be issued; every world convention will have a special First Fandom "meeting"; it is hoped, First Fandom will become one of the most useful and influential organizations ever to appear on the s-f scene. Anyone interested is invited to write to Don Ford, Box 19 - T, RR 2., Loveland , Ohio for further information.

Arthur C Clarke (another First Fandom potential) has been on a whirlwind American speaking tour during the early months of 1959. His subject has, of course, been space travel and satellites. One of the groups he spoke to consisted of 1,200 women! ( Indianapolis , Indiana Town Hall Meeting, January 23). Arthur informed me during his stop-over in Indianapolis that he will be going to Ceylon for two years after the completion of his current speaking tour . . . . E.E. "Doc" Smith has sold his latest science fiction novel to the magazine that published his very first ("The Skylark of Space") more than thirty years ago, Amazing StoriesThe recent depression in the American s-f market has not only killed off about a dozen publications, but also leaves only three science fiction fan columns. It is interest, to note that two of them are in NEBULA . . . Jim Harmon, who had stories in the various magazines on a rather slim basis during the past several years recently hit a bonanza when he sold two to Galaxy and one to Amazing in a period of two weeks.

 

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