DIY History | Transcribe | Hevelin Fanzines | Ad Astra, v. 1, issue 5, January 1940

Transcribe
Translate

Ad Astra, v. 1, issue 5, January 1940

Page 2

Page 2.     AD ASTRA

"Editorially....."
by the Editor

And, with this issue of AD ASTRA over three weeks late, I come to the last page, guiltily known as the "editorial alibi section". Although the road to hell is paved with good intentions, we [[underline]]did[[end underline]] have every intention of getting this number in the mail on the 20th of Dec., [[underline]]j1939[[end underline]]. Obviously, we didn't; the shame-faced truth is, #4 and #5 AA, have been quarterly, rather than bi-monthly. We hope to make up for this deplorable fact by issuing #6 in thirty days, thus taking the edge off our tardiness and catching up with the bi-monthly date of AA's publication schedule.
In the way of excuses, I might remark that "even margins" aren't fun. Realizing, though, that neatness of format was the magazine's-biggest weakness, it was decided that henceforth a "dummy" issue of AA would be prepared on galley forms. This meant twice as much work, even if the element of uncertainty was eliminated. Your editor, having, discovered there are only twenty-four hours per day, during which at least one-quarter------is generally spent sleeping, was particularly hard-pressed when he learned that only a pitipully small portion of that time was available for science fiction. Consequently, though aide-de-camp Meyer did a heroic hare of the labor, besides his regular work as a Business Editor, AD ASTRA is late.
This month we present something we had no idea would appear, a few weeks ago. It came very unexpectedly. One day, when I was lounging in 3156 Cambridge headquarters, Richie Meyer flung a #1 Amazing Stories dangerously violent on the floor. "Dammit, Mark!" said he, "things have come to a pretty penny!" I looked up in surprise and, then saw the reason for the outburst. He had been reading some contemporary S-F news-sheets. "So, you'll put out another fan magazine , and be happy," I replied sarcastically. "That's just what I'm going to do!" Rich cried with vim. As a result, you'll find the first issue of his mag "MID-WEST Fan News", included int his issue as its debut.In future issues, his mag will appear as a separate publication, obtainable by subscription through 3156 Cambridge. But, the rest is explained in the pages of MID-WEST. Thanx to him, we're introducing it in AA as a special treat to our subscribers and I feel sure that you will all show your appreciation by subscribing immediately to the newest of Mr. Rim publications.
This issue of AD ASTRA is respectfully dedicated to ASTOUNDING...SCIENCE-FICTION, the third professional magazine to appear in this special series. In connection with the event, Mr. Campbell has written his guest editorial, and elsewhere in this issue will be found a concise statistical resume of ASTOUNDING for handy collector's reference. From now on, dedications will be presented at rare and appropriate instances, for we have covered the "big three" and the other pros are of comparatively recent date, thus making a statistical resume of their existences unnecessary.
The cover this month is reproduced by permission of AMAZING STORIES, it being the Krupa drawing to "War with Jupiter" by W. Lawrence Hamling and Mark Reinsberg in the May 1939 issue. Last issues reproduction, as well as the one on the cover this issue, are from personal "original" collection of your editor, and, if you wish,there are many fine examples of science fiction art which will be reproduced.Copies of all drawings may be obtained through AD ASTRA by sending in 10[[cent symbol]]. 
Incidentally, readers of AA might send 20 cents to W.L. Hamling, for a copy of the 1st issue of STARDUST, suberb, printed, semi-pro with material by many professional authors and S-F luminaries.
Next AA will feature a great article by Don Wilcox, which you won't want to miss. "A Word to the wise........." Mark Reinsberg.

Saving...

Page 2. AD ASTRA "Editorially....." by the Editor And, with this issue of AD ASTRA over three weeks late, I come to the last page, guiltily known as the "editorial alibi section". Although the road to hell is paved with good intentions, we [[underline]]did[[end underline]] have every intention of getting this number in the mail on the 20th of Dec., [[underline]]j1939[[end underline]]. Obviously, we didn't; the shame-faced truth is, #4 and #5 AA, have been quarterly, rather than bi-monthly. We hope to make up for this deplorable fact by issuing #6 in thirty days, thus taking the edge off our tardiness and catching up with the bi-monthly date of AA's publication schedule. In the way of excuses, I might remark that "even margins" aren't fun. Realizing, though, that neatness of format was the magazine's-biggest weakness, it was decided that henceforth a "dummy" issue of AA would be prepared on galley forms. This meant twice as much work, even if the element of uncertainty was eliminated. Your editor, having, discovered there are only twenty-four hours per day, during which at least one-quarter------is generally spent sleeping, was particularly hard-pressed when he learned that only a pitipully small portion of that time was available for science fiction. Consequently, though aide-de-camp Meyer did a heroic hare of the labor, besides his regular work as a Business Editor, AD ASTRA is late. This month we present something we had no idea would appear, a few weeks ago. It came very unexpectedly. One day, when I was lounging in 3156 Cambridge headquarters, Richie Meyer flung a #1 Amazing Stories dangerously violent on the floor. "Dammit, Mark!" said he, "things have come to a pretty penny!" I looked up in surprise and, then saw the reason for the outburst. He had been reading some contemporary S-F news-sheets. "So, you'll put out another fan magazine , and be happy," I replied sarcastically. "That's just what I'm going to do!" Rich cried with vim. As a result, you'll find the first issue of his mag "MID-WEST Fan News", included int his issue as its debut.In future issues, his mag will appear as a separate publication, obtainable by subscription through 3156 Cambridge. But, the rest is explained in the pages of MID-WEST. Thanx to him, we're introducing it in AA as a special treat to our subscribers and I feel sure that you will all show your appreciation by subscribing immediately to the newest of Mr. Rim publications. This issue of AD ASTRA is respectfully dedicated to ASTOUNDING...SCIENCE-FICTION, the third professional magazine to appear in this special series. In connection with the event, Mr. Campbell has written his guest editorial, and elsewhere in this issue will be found a concise statistical resume of ASTOUNDING for handy collector's reference. From now on, dedications will be presented at rare and appropriate instances, for we have covered the "big three" and the other pros are of comparatively recent date, thus making a statistical resume of their existences unnecessary. The cover this month is reproduced by permission of AMAZING STORIES, it being the Krupa drawing to "War with Jupiter" by W. Lawrence Hamling and Mark Reinsberg in the May 1939 issue. Last issues reproduction, as well as the one on the cover this issue, are from personal "original" collection of your editor, and, if you wish,there are many fine examples of science fiction art which will be reproduced.Copies of all drawings may be obtained through AD ASTRA by sending in 10[[cent symbol]]. Incidentally, readers of AA might send 20 cents to W.L. Hamling, for a copy of the 1st issue of STARDUST, suberb, printed, semi-pro with material by many professional authors and S-F luminaries. Next AA will feature a great article by Don Wilcox, which you won't want to miss. "A Word to the wise........." Mark Reinsberg.