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Acolyte, v. 3, issue 2, whole no. 11, Summer 1945
Page 2
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archival collection guide
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EDITORIALLY SPEAKING THE PERDUE HISTORY. Since writing and stencilling the foreword to this opus, we have discovered that the original estimate of its bulk must be revised upward drastically. A minimum of 250 to 300 pages will be required to present what we now have, without counting addenda. At 8 to 10 pages per issue, this history is going to require close to a decade to publish, a decade during which The Acolyte is going to be definitely restricted in other respects. There is some question in our minds of the magazine will last that long. There is also a growing question of this material is of sufficient interest to enough of our readers to warrant the use of this much space for it. Will the readers please speak? Send us a postal today, indicating if you want to see the rest of this history; if you would rather see it than material of the type we have previously published. Our final decision will rest on your response. FTL/SDR ---oo0oo--- FAN DEALERS. In connection with our new crusade (see p. 27) for reasonable prices for fantastic books and magazines, we do not wish to be misunderstood. For the isolated, small-town fan especially, the fan dealer renders a genuine service. It is only when he abuses his position that we have any objection to him. But little out-of-print fantasy is in sufficient demand to warrant a professional mail order bookseller's including it in his catalog. Thus the fan who is willing to take the time and trouble to procure duplicates is wellnigh the only source of supply for many collectors. His prices, obviously, are going to be considerably higher than those obtaining in over-the-counter sales in book and magazine stores. Not only does he buy most if not all his stock at retail, but the amount of time and sheer hard work necessary to assemble such a stock and keep it reasonably complete certainly deserves some sort of recompense. It must be remembered that the fan dealer is doing all this in his spare time. I know of a local magazine store where I could get an 80% complete file of Astounding in virtually new condition for 10[[cent symbol]]-25[[cent symbol]] a copy. But for me to make the 8 mile drive out there and back, spend the two or three hours need to sort the magazines out of the shelves, package the stuff, and haul it down to the express office; I'd need a minimum net profit of $20.00. For such a sum, I could buy for my own collection enough choice stuff I couldn't afford otherwise that I might go to this much trouble for someone. But I certainly wouldn't think in terms of a mere 25% markup. Neither would the fan dealer. On the other hand there certainly is a definite ceiling beyond which he should not go. We shall continue to give as much information as we can on material available at cost from the publishers. In addition, we hope in time to build up an acceptable code of standard prices, at least for the more popular items. We have been promised the fullest cooperation by Forrest J. Ackerman, whose "weaver Wright" advertisements many of you have patronized. We should like cooperation, comments, and suggestions from all other fan dealers and fans. Stamp collectors have a standard catalog with standard prices, why can't we have one? FTL ---oo0oo--- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. We received a great deal of help on the last issue, and at this time would like to extend thanks to Elmer Perdue for printing the title on the cover; Mel Brown and Gerry Hewitt for mimeographing the bulk of the issue; and the two last named and James Hummel for assembling and stapling it. And if you think the paper was too thin and sleazy, you should have seen the seven reams we had to throw away! FTL/SDR --2--
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EDITORIALLY SPEAKING THE PERDUE HISTORY. Since writing and stencilling the foreword to this opus, we have discovered that the original estimate of its bulk must be revised upward drastically. A minimum of 250 to 300 pages will be required to present what we now have, without counting addenda. At 8 to 10 pages per issue, this history is going to require close to a decade to publish, a decade during which The Acolyte is going to be definitely restricted in other respects. There is some question in our minds of the magazine will last that long. There is also a growing question of this material is of sufficient interest to enough of our readers to warrant the use of this much space for it. Will the readers please speak? Send us a postal today, indicating if you want to see the rest of this history; if you would rather see it than material of the type we have previously published. Our final decision will rest on your response. FTL/SDR ---oo0oo--- FAN DEALERS. In connection with our new crusade (see p. 27) for reasonable prices for fantastic books and magazines, we do not wish to be misunderstood. For the isolated, small-town fan especially, the fan dealer renders a genuine service. It is only when he abuses his position that we have any objection to him. But little out-of-print fantasy is in sufficient demand to warrant a professional mail order bookseller's including it in his catalog. Thus the fan who is willing to take the time and trouble to procure duplicates is wellnigh the only source of supply for many collectors. His prices, obviously, are going to be considerably higher than those obtaining in over-the-counter sales in book and magazine stores. Not only does he buy most if not all his stock at retail, but the amount of time and sheer hard work necessary to assemble such a stock and keep it reasonably complete certainly deserves some sort of recompense. It must be remembered that the fan dealer is doing all this in his spare time. I know of a local magazine store where I could get an 80% complete file of Astounding in virtually new condition for 10[[cent symbol]]-25[[cent symbol]] a copy. But for me to make the 8 mile drive out there and back, spend the two or three hours need to sort the magazines out of the shelves, package the stuff, and haul it down to the express office; I'd need a minimum net profit of $20.00. For such a sum, I could buy for my own collection enough choice stuff I couldn't afford otherwise that I might go to this much trouble for someone. But I certainly wouldn't think in terms of a mere 25% markup. Neither would the fan dealer. On the other hand there certainly is a definite ceiling beyond which he should not go. We shall continue to give as much information as we can on material available at cost from the publishers. In addition, we hope in time to build up an acceptable code of standard prices, at least for the more popular items. We have been promised the fullest cooperation by Forrest J. Ackerman, whose "weaver Wright" advertisements many of you have patronized. We should like cooperation, comments, and suggestions from all other fan dealers and fans. Stamp collectors have a standard catalog with standard prices, why can't we have one? FTL ---oo0oo--- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. We received a great deal of help on the last issue, and at this time would like to extend thanks to Elmer Perdue for printing the title on the cover; Mel Brown and Gerry Hewitt for mimeographing the bulk of the issue; and the two last named and James Hummel for assembling and stapling it. And if you think the paper was too thin and sleazy, you should have seen the seven reams we had to throw away! FTL/SDR --2--
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