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FFF's Illustrated Nycon Review, 1942
Page 1
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THE FIRST WORLD SCIENCE FICTION CONVENTION PROLOGUE On July, 2, 3rd and 4th, 1939 was held a fan-pro gathering that was more than the largest, most elaborate convention held in fandom to date; more than the banner achievement of a quartet of fans; much more than an epic of self glorification for science fiction. For those dates heralded the fact that science fiction fandom had grown up. That there were those in their ranks capable of mature, brilliant planning. The First World Science Fiction Convention was not spontaneously suggested and planned. It was the result of years of painstaking planning, of deliberate reasoning, of real effort. From the date of the Second Eastern Science Fiction Convention held in Newark, May 29, 1938 to prove that such an event was feasible, to the organization of a powerful club, New Fandom to sponsor it, and finally to the culminating success that the First World Science Fiction Convention was, every step taken was taken calculatingly, with caution, with the full knowledge in mind of what failure might mean to the science-fiction world. Sam Moskowitz, James V. Taurasi, William S. Sykora, Mario Racic, Jr., Julius Schwartz, Conrad H. Ruppert, were among those who bore the brunt of the work, and the cooperation of most of the science-fiction world, despite the novelty of the plans, was far from half-hearted. Now when yearly conventions are taken for granted. When fandom is mightily large and ever growing. When events of past years are fast being swallowed by the darkness of forgetfulness, it might prove worthy of remembrance that the First World Science Fiction Convention was the originator of the convention series, that it opened the gates of fandom for the vast new horde of fans to enter; that in one single, brilliant stroke it lifted fandom into maturity; that through its "Time" write-up it was influential in increasing pro mag circulation. That it cemented for all time the idea of cooperation between fan and pro, a condition which did not exist a few years ago. And that as a convention it still has to be surpassed in size, in originality, in the quantity of new innovations it introduced (its general program is still being followed by all succeeding conventions). And that it serves as a fine bible for the future. <photo in the right column> THE BRAINS BEHIND THE FIRST WORLD STF. CON. Standing, left to right, James V. Taurasi, Sam Moskowitz, William S. Sykora. Stooping (not connected with the convention) Alex Osheroff & Robert G. Thompson.
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THE FIRST WORLD SCIENCE FICTION CONVENTION PROLOGUE On July, 2, 3rd and 4th, 1939 was held a fan-pro gathering that was more than the largest, most elaborate convention held in fandom to date; more than the banner achievement of a quartet of fans; much more than an epic of self glorification for science fiction. For those dates heralded the fact that science fiction fandom had grown up. That there were those in their ranks capable of mature, brilliant planning. The First World Science Fiction Convention was not spontaneously suggested and planned. It was the result of years of painstaking planning, of deliberate reasoning, of real effort. From the date of the Second Eastern Science Fiction Convention held in Newark, May 29, 1938 to prove that such an event was feasible, to the organization of a powerful club, New Fandom to sponsor it, and finally to the culminating success that the First World Science Fiction Convention was, every step taken was taken calculatingly, with caution, with the full knowledge in mind of what failure might mean to the science-fiction world. Sam Moskowitz, James V. Taurasi, William S. Sykora, Mario Racic, Jr., Julius Schwartz, Conrad H. Ruppert, were among those who bore the brunt of the work, and the cooperation of most of the science-fiction world, despite the novelty of the plans, was far from half-hearted. Now when yearly conventions are taken for granted. When fandom is mightily large and ever growing. When events of past years are fast being swallowed by the darkness of forgetfulness, it might prove worthy of remembrance that the First World Science Fiction Convention was the originator of the convention series, that it opened the gates of fandom for the vast new horde of fans to enter; that in one single, brilliant stroke it lifted fandom into maturity; that through its "Time" write-up it was influential in increasing pro mag circulation. That it cemented for all time the idea of cooperation between fan and pro, a condition which did not exist a few years ago. And that as a convention it still has to be surpassed in size, in originality, in the quantity of new innovations it introduced (its general program is still being followed by all succeeding conventions). And that it serves as a fine bible for the future.
THE BRAINS BEHIND THE FIRST WORLD STF. CON. Standing, left to right, James V. Taurasi, Sam Moskowitz, William S. Sykora. Stooping (not connected with the convention) Alex Osheroff & Robert G. Thompson.
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