DIY History | Transcribe | Hevelin Fanzines | Fantasy Fiction Field, v. 2, issue 1, whole no. 24, April 1941

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Fantasy Fiction Field, v. 2, issue 1, whole no. 24, April 1941

Page 2

This is a special mid-week issue of FANTASY FICTION FIELD ILLUSTRATED NEWS WEEKLY 

Julius Unger, 1702 Dahill Rd,, Bklyn, NY, owner.   Doc Lowndes & J. B.Michel assocts.

THE ROMANCE OF THE EVER-CHANGING "WONDER", by Julius Unger FFF Vol 2 # 1  Page Two
(continued from bottom of page one)

was dated June, 1929. Exactly one year later, the word "science" was dropped from the title. It seemed that word was a bugaboo to potential readers who might be frightened away from a seemingly technical publication. A few months later, another change was made, this time in size. It was the first time any scientifiction magazine dropped from large size to small size standard format. However, this, too did not last, for one year later, with the October, 1931 issue, the publishers gave us, so they said, all that any science fiction fan had ever wished for. Merely, large format, slick paper, trimmed edges, Paul illustrations, and the old familiar desiderata of the typical stfan's utopia.
     But all good things must end. In November 1932, the price was reduced to 15¢,
the amount of pages decreased in proportion, slick paper gone by the wayside (part of the output, from April on had been regular pulp paper) and the story quality down to the nadir. Then again in late '33, and after resuming original price and thickness, the size was again dropped to that of the standard pulp, and there it has remained ever since.
     In April, 1936, newsstand distribution and nationwide publication was suspended
while the editors said they were going to try out a unique distribution plan. They proposed to sell the magazine entirely on a subscription basis, but this, too was doomed to failure. No issue appeared on this basis and those who subscribed in advance were just stuck. The magazine was then sold to Standard Publications, who took over beginning publication with the August, 1936, issue. Bi-monthly publication was
continued and the yarns were rather inferior at first. The title was changed to Thrilling Wonder Stories, and few drastic changes have been made since, although the mag has been slowly but steadily increasing quality. Beginning with the December 1939 issue, monthly publication was installed, but difficult times forced the  magazine to return to bi-monthly publication with the April 1941 number.
     Science Wonder Quarterly also had its ups and downs. It became just plain Wonder Stories Quarterly with the Summer 1930 issue. Eleven numbers were published then two twenty-five cent issues appeared, making a total of thirteen. All this took place between 1929 and 1936, a seven year period, fraught with hectic changes.

F̲L̲A̲S̲H̲!̲  WILLIAM S. SYKORA breaks into print!   Stirring letter appears in DAILY NEWS
     The following letter appeared in the New York Daily News for Thursday, March 20, 1941,    "Queens:   Your newspaper is the smelliest thing that has ever come before my eyes. I wish I could do something about stopping you from printing it.   How anybody can be so biased is beyond me." (signed WILLIAM S. SYKORA)

F̲L̲A̲S̲H̲!̲  RICHARD WILSON CRASHES T W S !
Richard Wilson, author of "Murder From Mars" and "Transitory Island", editor of
E̲s̲c̲a̲p̲e̲ (1940 issues, coming up!) has sold a story to Standard's T̲h̲r̲i̲l̲l̲i̲n̲g̲ ̲W̲o̲n̲d̲e̲r̲, a recent report confirms. Story was originally titled "The Scientist's Daughter", and we suspect that it might be humorous.
.
F̲L̲A̲S̲H̲!̲ ̲  Bob Tucker reveals  that another Futurian has become editor of a pro pulp

Julius Unger
1702 Dahill Rd
Brooklyn, N.Y.

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This is a special mid-week issue of FANTASY FICTION FIELD ILLUSTRATED NEWS WEEKLY Julius Unger, 1702 Dahill Rd,, Bklyn, NY, owner. Doc Lowndes & J. B.Michel assocts. THE ROMANCE OF THE EVER-CHANGING "WONDER", by Julius Unger FFF Vol 2 # 1 Page Two (continued from bottom of page one) was dated June, 1929. Exactly one year later, the word "science" was dropped from the title. It seemed that word was a bugaboo to potential readers who might be frightened away from a seemingly technical publication. A few months later, another change was made, this time in size. It was the first time any scientifiction magazine dropped from large size to small size standard format. However, this, too did not last, for one year later, with the October, 1931 issue, the publishers gave us, so they said, all that any science fiction fan had ever wished for. Merely, large format, slick paper, trimmed edges, Paul illustrations, and the old familiar desiderata of the typical stfan's utopia. But all good things must end. In November 1932, the price was reduced to 15¢, the amount of pages decreased in proportion, slick paper gone by the wayside (part of the output, from April on had been regular pulp paper) and the story quality down to the nadir. Then again in late '33, and after resuming original price and thickness, the size was again dropped to that of the standard pulp, and there it has remained ever since. In April, 1936, newsstand distribution and nationwide publication was suspended while the editors said they were going to try out a unique distribution plan. They proposed to sell the magazine entirely on a subscription basis, but this, too was doomed to failure. No issue appeared on this basis and those who subscribed in advance were just stuck. The magazine was then sold to Standard Publications, who took over beginning publication with the August, 1936, issue. Bi-monthly publication was continued and the yarns were rather inferior at first. The title was changed to Thrilling Wonder Stories, and few drastic changes have been made since, although the mag has been slowly but steadily increasing quality. Beginning with the December 1939 issue, monthly publication was installed, but difficult times forced the magazine to return to bi-monthly publication with the April 1941 number. Science Wonder Quarterly also had its ups and downs. It became just plain Wonder Stories Quarterly with the Summer 1930 issue. Eleven numbers were published then two twenty-five cent issues appeared, making a total of thirteen. All this took place between 1929 and 1936, a seven year period, fraught with hectic changes. F̲L̲A̲S̲H̲!̲ WILLIAM S. SYKORA breaks into print! Stirring letter appears in DAILY NEWS The following letter appeared in the New York Daily News for Thursday, March 20, 1941, "Queens: Your newspaper is the smelliest thing that has ever come before my eyes. I wish I could do something about stopping you from printing it. How anybody can be so biased is beyond me." (signed WILLIAM S. SYKORA) F̲L̲A̲S̲H̲!̲ RICHARD WILSON CRASHES T W S ! Richard Wilson, author of "Murder From Mars" and "Transitory Island", editor of E̲s̲c̲a̲p̲e̲ (1940 issues, coming up!) has sold a story to Standard's T̲h̲r̲i̲l̲l̲i̲n̲g̲ ̲W̲o̲n̲d̲e̲r̲, a recent report confirms. Story was originally titled "The Scientist's Daughter", and we suspect that it might be humorous. . F̲L̲A̲S̲H̲!̲ ̲ Bob Tucker reveals that another Futurian has become editor of a pro pulp Julius Unger 1702 Dahill Rd Brooklyn, N.Y.