SCIENTIFICTION New Series #47

SCIENTIFICTION A publication of FIRST , the Dinosaurs of New Series #47, 1st Quarter 2016

IN THIS ISSUE ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES P. 1: Announcements To those who still have not yet paid P. 2: President’s Message their dues for last year (July 2015 - P. 3: Necrology / Birthdays June 2016), please send $15 right P. 4: Remembering Jack Robins away (checks payable to Keith W. P. 5: Original Member Spotlight Stokes) to: 14305 West 83rd Place, P. 6: Bob Peterson’s Photographs Lenexa, KS - 66215. We thank you! P. 6: SF-Related News Headlines P. 7: A Donation to the FF Archive ORIGINAL MEMBER SPOTLIGHT P. 8: Letters from Our Readers In this issue we present a look at Robert C. Peterson, whose s-f fan FIRST FANDOM AWARDS, 2016 activity dates back to the mid-1930s. Return completed ballots by no later than April 30th to John Coker, 4813 NECROLOGY / BIRTHDAYS Lighthouse Rd., Orlando, FL, 32808, or by email: [email protected]. We sadly acknowledge the recent passing of two long-time SF fans: Thanks to everyone for sending their David G. Hartwell and Jack Robins. nominations for this year’s awards. The list of April-June birthdays in this 2016 - KANSAS CITY issue is based on the information First Fandom will be presenting our originally compiled by Andy Porter. annual awards and participating in panel discussions. We will have our ACKNOWLEDGMENTS traditional historic display in the The following people contributed to exhibition area. We will have a Fan this issue: Joanne E. Brooks, Mike Table where convention-goers can Glyer, , Joe Martino, get copies of our newsletters as well Robert C. Peterson, Nick Ringelberg, as information about First Fandom. Jr., Lottie Robins, Steven H. Silver, Please let us know if you are coming Keith W. Stokes and Jon D. Swartz. to the Worldcon. We are looking for The next issue will be sent out by volunteers to help us with the set-up. early July. Please send book and We hope that everyone will come by film reviews, convention reports, and say ‘hello’ during the weekend. news items, interviews, photos and For information about Midamericon2, your letters of comment to the editor. please visit: www.midamericon.org. Take care, be safe and stay in touch. - John L. Coker III

SCIENTIFICTION New Series #47, page 2

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE BIRTHDAYS

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES April Enclosed is a list of all the members 1 – Anne McCaffrey, Samuel R. Delany who are current on the dues. Thank 3 – Donald M. Grant 5 – Robert Bloch, Boris Strugatsky you for supporting this organization! 7 – ,

8 – Ralph Milne Farley, Ted Carnell OTING OR HE WARDS V F T 2016 A 12 – Emil Petaja, Carol Emshwiller We have a strong slate of candidates 14 – Morris Scott Dollens for this year’s awards. Please return 17 – T. Bruce Yerke, Lloyd Biggle, Jr. completed ballots to me by April 30. 18 – Frank R. Paul, G.M. Carr 20 – June Moffatt NEED MEMBER CONTACT INFORMATION 25 – Fletcher Pratt 26 – H.L. Gold, A.E. Van Vogt We’re trying to reach John Dalmas, 27 – Frank Belknap Long Robert O. Adair, Sandra Sundstrom. 29 – Elmer Perdue, Jack Williamson May THE FIRST FANDOM ARCHIVE 2 – E.E. “Doc” Smith The First Fandom Archive began in 4 – Erwin “Filthy Pierre” Strauss the late-1950s. It consists of all the 7 – Walt Liebscher, Gene Wolfe material related to our organization 8 – Roy Tackett (publications, correspondence, and 9 – Philip Klass (aka William Tenn) official documents) as well as other 10 – Olaf Stapledon, Alex Schomburg items that have been donated from 18 – Laurraine Tutihasi members over the years (convention 20 – Gardner Fox books, fan magazines, photographs, 21 – Manly Wade Wellman letters, artwork, et.al.). The Archive 22 – Arthur Conan Doyle, Ed Earl Repp is currently housed in my library on 23 – James Blish 25 – Charles D. Hornig two bookcases and in several boxes. 26 – Robert W. Chambers, Howard De Vore As the organization evolves over the 27 – Rudolph Belarski, next few years, our members will 30 – Harry C. Stubbs (aka Hal Clement) help to decide where our Archive will June permanently reside. It will need to 2 – , Robert A. Madle be regularly cataloged, maintained, 3 – Marion Zimmer Bradley, John Norman kept together and made accessible. 6 – Noreen Shaw Our interests are wide-reaching, and 8 – John W. Campbell, Jr., Roger Sims we are especially excited about any 9 – Lin Carter, Joe Haldeman 14 – William Hamling SF//horror items related to 16 – , Ted Dikty the 1920s-50s. We regularly receive 19 – Julius Schwartz requests from fans seeking material 20 – Lloyd Arthur Eshbach for their projects. Most often we are 22 – H. Rider Haggard, Leo P. Margulies able to provide some information and 26 – Elsie Wollheim, Hal Shapiro scans for them. We hope to soon 28 – Peggy Rae Sapienza have an updated description of the 29 – Ray Harryhausen, Michael Whelan FF Archive available on our website. 30 – Sam Moskowitz SCIENTIFICTION New Series #47, page 3

NECROLOGY Jack Robins First Fandom original member Jack David G. Hartwell Robins passed away on December “David G. Hartwell (1941-2016), 23, 2015 after a brief illness. Robins major US sf editor at Tor Books was a science fiction (SF) fan who (formerly Signet, Berkley/Putnam, belonged to the International Gregg Press and Pocket/Simon & Scientific Association in the 1930s, Schuster/Timescape) who received a was a founding member of the great many Hugo nominations as famed Futurian Literary Society of Best Editor and won three times, Greater New York, and attended a died on 20 January; he was 74. number of early SF conventions, including the first Worldcon in 1939. Among many other achievements he was the publisher and a founding Robins was born February 17, 1919 editor of The New York Review of in Elizabeth, NJ. After he left the SF, and won two World Fantasy Futurians, he earned a Ph.D. in Awards, one for his colossal horror physical chemistry from the Poly- anthology The Dark Descent (1987).” technic Institute of Brooklyn, but he maintained an interest in SF his (Written by David Langford and originally published in 343, February 2016) entire life. He was married to his wife of sixty-six years, Lottie. They enjoyed photography, listening to classical music, reading and writing.

David G. Hartwell (Photograph by John L. Coker III) Jack Robins I REMEMBER DAVID G. HARTWELL Jack Robins was inducted into the (BY JOHN L. COKER III) First Fandom Hall of Fame and I met him 25 years ago at a World made a N3F Life Member, both in Fantasy Convention and he was a 2012. He was a genuine enthusiast giant figure, even back then. David who knew many of the early fans knew a lot about rare books and the and was present as history was history of SF, as well as most of the unfolding. Jack pursued his dream people in the field. Over the years of going to college and becoming a he critiqued a couple of my projects working scientist. His accounts and and gave some advice about editing. photographs have become an David accomplished quite a lot in his important part of the record of the lifetime. We extend our sincere early days of . sympathy to Kathryn and the family. (Prepared by John L. Coker III and Jon D. Swartz) SCIENTIFICTION New Series #47, page 4

REMEMBERING JACK ROBINS In 1956, when their children were 3 (BY MRS. LOTTIE ROBINS) and 5, Jack returned full-time to Dr. Jack Robins, Ph.D., was born in college. He attended the Brooklyn Roselle, NJ February 17, 1919. At Polytechnical Institute on a Fellow- age sixteen he graduated from Boys’ ship, receiving his Ph.D. as an High School in Brooklyn, NY, a pres- inorganic chemist. Robins was an tigious high school that each year employee for 25 years at Atlas accepted only 350 students out of Chemical Industries in Tamaqua, 5,000 from all of the five New York Pennsylvania. Jack was named boroughs. He graduated in 1935 Chemist of the Year several times in with Merit Awards in Math, French recognition of his inventions and the and Chemistry. work he did with computers. After a productive career, he retired in 1982. In February 1940 he graduated Summa Cum Laude from New York Jack was a life-long science fiction City College, eventually working at enthusiast. He was a founding night for the Vanadium Corporation member of the Futurian Science Lit- of America in Niagara Falls and erary Society in 1938. For many taking the bus to the University of years he belonged to the National Buffalo during the day to earn his Federation. And, in M.A. in 1948. 2014, he was elected by his peers to the First Fandom Hall of Fame. During his lunch hours at Atlas Chemical Industries, Jack wrote a science fiction which was never published. He also wrote several SF-related plays and four volumes of his memoirs. Jack was Lottie’s inspiration to enroll in writing courses. He wrote sonnets and many poems to her for all occasions. Jack loved working with tools and he built a bicycle shed which turned out to be a small house. He constructed Jack and Lottie Robins a customized cabinet for their stereo In July 1949, while working in Brook- equipment and many bookcases. lyn as a chemist for the Board of Jack and Lottie were married for 66 Transportation, Jack met Lottie years, and after a brief illness Jack Levin, a Medical Assistant, at an Arts passed away on December 23. He and Science Professional social is survived by his 100 year-old wife function. They immediately found Lottie, daughter and son-in-law common interests: writing, photog- Lohrainne and Leagh, son Arthur, raphy, classical music and politics. three grand-daughters, two great After dating for five weeks, they grand-children, and a 103 year-old became engaged and were married sister. He had a long and rewarding on Christmas Day, 1949. life and will be fondly remembered. SCIENTIFICTION New Series #47, page 5

ORIGINAL MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Fiction”) and eight stories by seven ROBERT C. PETERSON authors: Põul Anderson (“The (BY JON D. SWARTZ AND JOHN L. COKER III) Martian Crown Jewels”), Gordon R. Dickson (“Half a Hoka -- Põul Robert C. (Bob) Peterson was born Anderson”), Anderson & Dickson in 1921. When he was twelve years (“The Adventure of the Misplaced old, he discovered Wonder Stories. Hound”), Boucher (“The Anomaly of Two years later, he was buying older the Empty Man” and “The Greatest issues of magazines and advertising Tertian”), & Mack them for sale in Amazing. Bob has Reynolds (“The Adventure of the been a science fiction (SF) and Snitch in Time” and “The Adventure fantasy fan for most of his life, of the Ball of Nostradamus”), and H. publishing his personalzine, Notes Beam Piper & John J. McGuire (“The from Bob Peterson, for many years. Return”). Bob finished college in 1942 and The stories had been collected from went directly into the U.S. Army. various sources by fellow SF fan While assigned to various military Norm Metcalf. Donald M. Grant’s bases, he visited with the local SF Grandon Publishers printed fewer fans, including Wilson ‘Bob’ Tucker than 1000 copies of the first edition. and . A longtime member of both the After being discharged in Denver in National Fantasy Fan Federation 1946, Peterson became acquainted and First Fandom, Bob has donated with some members of the Colorado many of his SF materials to the Fantasy Society, including Chuck archives of both these organizations. Hansen, Roy V. Hunt, Stan Mullen and Olon T. Wiggins. Bob preserved early fanzines from the files of Olon T. Wiggins and Roy In the later-1940s Bob published the V. Hunt. He reported that he has an genre reference works The Fantasy almost complete set of the popular Index and the Index of Science pulp SF magazine, Startling Stories. Fiction Magazines, 1926-1948, the latter with fellow fan Bill Evans. Bob is currently residing in Denver in an independent living facility. He still In the early-1950s, Bob and Stan enjoys SF and the time that he gets Mullen met Robert A. Heinlein, who to spend visiting with his son Alan. was living in Colorado Springs. Peterson was married in 1954 and Over the years, Bob traveled around all four of his sons eventually came the country, visiting fellow SF fans. to share his interest in SF. He is currently collecting articles that he wrote about those adventures In 1960 Bob edited his most famous and he hopes to reprint them soon. contribution to the SF/fantasy field, the anthology The Science-Fictional Peterson was elected to the First Sherlock Holmes. Published by The Fandom Hall of Fame in 2004, along Council of Four in Denver, this with and William L. pioneering work consisted of an Hamling. Peterson also was the Introduction by recipient of First Fandom's Sam (“Sherlock Holmes and Science Moskowitz Archive Award in 2008. SCIENTIFICTION New Series #47, page 6

ROBERT C. PETERSON PHOTOS SF-RELATED NEWS HEADLINES

Windy City Pulp & Paper Convention The annual show will be held during April 22-24 in Lombard, Illinois. This year they will be celebrating the 90th anniversary of . This convention is known for having an outstanding dealer’s room full of rare pulps, books and collectibles. During the weekend there will be two auctions, films, panel discussions, guests, awards and great hospitality. For more information, please visit: The Science-Fictional Sherlock Holmes www.windycitypulpandpaper.com. (Edited by Robert C. Peterson) Ed Meskys’ Guide Dog Passes Away On February 5, Mike Glyer (File 770) shared this note from Ed Meskys: “This morning I lost Gyro (public name ‘Killer Dog’) my guide dog with 9 years of service, just weeks past his age of 11…. Gyro had been welcome at many conventions, SF and [National Federation of the Blind]. He will be my last dog guide

as I am weeks short of 80, cannot Bob’s good friend, Stan Mullen bend to pick up after a dog, and have trouble with stairs….” (Reprinted from File 770 - Feb. 5, 2016)

2016 Gaughan and Skylark Awards Announced at Boskone 53 (Feb 19-21) “The recipient of the Gaughan Award (presented to an emerging artist) was Tommy Arnold. The recipient of the Skylark Award (in recognition of one’s work in the sf field and for embodying attributes of the late E.E. ‘Doc’ Smith) was Gardner Dozois.” (Summarized from a longer article written L-R: Robert C. Peterson, Jack Williamson by Steven H. Silver, originally appearing in SF Site News - February 22, 2016) SCIENTIFICTION New Series #47, page 7

JACK ROBINS’ FAMILY DONATES MATERIAL TO THE FF ARCHIVES Mrs. Lottie Robins has generously donated a box of SF material from the files of her late husband, Jack Robins. Included are examples of his writing, correspondence from friends, and some of his magazines. Over the course of nine decades, Some of Jack’s written correspondence Jack authored dozens of delightful poems, sonnets, limericks, plays and S-F Magazines and Books factual articles that were clever, ABORIGINAL SCIENCE FICTION – humorous, insightful and poignant. four issues (#29-30, 31-32, 33-34, Lottie and Jack wrote a play about 35-36) published during 1991-92. their dear friends, Don and Elsie AMAZING STORIES – twelve issues Wollheim, entitled “The Trials and (Vol. LXVI, Nos. 2-11 and Vol. LXVII, Tribulations of Publishing.” Jack Nos. 1-2) published during 1991-92. wrote a wonderful play about the FANTASY COMMENTATOR – five Futurians, entitled “The Ivory Tower.” issues (#47-48, 49, 50, 51, 52) all I discovered a few pages of technical published during1995-2000. notes that Jack had written when he FILMFAX – No. 131, Summer 2012 was working as an inorganic chemist (12-page article about Jack Robins and I was immediately reminded that written by Christopher M. O’Brien). he really was a true man of science. GALAXY – five issues (#1, 2, 3, 6, 8) Original Articles published during1994-95. Jack wrote historic essays about THE NATIONAL FANTASY FAN – many of the pioneering SF fans that Three issues (Vol. 9, Nos. 1-2, 3, 4) he knew and some of the adventures all published during 2009. they had during the 1930s-40s. Jack provided detailed and personal SF Gateway Omnibus – four recollections about the ISA, the by E.E. “Doc” Smith (issued in 2013). Futurians and early s-f conventions. Correspondence - Letters from Damon Knight written during the time Knight was preparing his book, “The Futurians”. - Letters from Fred Pohl written during the time Pohl was writing his memoir, “The Way the Was”.

- Letters from Isaac Asimov, Sam Amazing Stories, Fantasy Commentator, Moskowitz and Donald A. Wollheim. Filmfax, Galaxy, National Fantasy Fan SCIENTIFICTION New Series #47, page 8

LETTERS FROM OUR READERS FIRST FANDOM Co-Founder and President Emeritus Bob Peterson writes: Robert A. Madle - 4406 Bestor Drive, Rockville, MD 20853 Tel: (301) 460-4712 I am doing pretty well these days. I admit to slowing down at 94 but I President John L. Coker III - 4813 Lighthouse Road, do try to stay active. I recently went Orlando, FL 32808 Tel: (407) 532-7555 to see the movie ‘Everest’ and [email protected] thought it was good but not great. I Secretary-Treasurer also attend monthly lectures at my Keith W. Stokes - 14305 West 83rd Place, church. The rest of the family is Lenexa, KS 66215 [email protected] doing well. Alan continues to help National Vice-President me around my place and he takes Erle M. Korshak - Shasta/Phoenix me to my doctors’ appointments. Publishers, 950 South Winter Park Drive, Recently we all visited Rocky Suite 320, Casselberry, FL 32707 Mountain National Park. I've also National Vice-President been going to concerts and the David A. Kyle - 3099 Maqua Place, opera with John. I’m staying in Mohegan Lake, NY 10547 touch with my friends in First EDITORIAL STAFF, SCIENTIFICTION Fandom and working on an article Editor / Publisher about my history in science fiction. John L. Coker III [email protected]

Nick Ringelberg, Jr. Special Features Editor Jon D. Swartz - 12115 Missel Thrush Court, My father belonged to First Fandom. Austin, TX 78750-2101 For the past few years, I have been [email protected] cataloging his extensive collection. I We acknowledge the award-winning SF journalism am starting to examine his First being done daily by Mike Glyer (File 770), Steven H. Fandom files and seem to be Silver (SF Site News), and David Langford (Ansible). missing issue #6 of the Bulletin. Is there any chance of getting a copy? I have been an active SF reader all my life and attended a number of conventions in the 1960s with my dad. I have followed First Fandom most of my life. In issue #10 of the First Fandom Magazine, my picture was published on P. 17 and I was mentioned by Roy Tackett on P. 19. I am interested in becoming an Associate Member of First Fandom.

Joanne E. Brooks (of Zionsville, IN) SCIENTIFICTION is published each quarter by First sent a nice letter and two photos of Fandom. The name First Fandom, the slogan “The L. Sprague and Catherine de Camp, Dinosaurs of Science Fiction,” and the First Fandom logo are all trademarks of First Fandom, and may not whom she met at Inconjunction when be used without permission of First Fandom. Copyright they were guests of honor in 1983. © 2016 by First Fandom and the individual contributors.